Pedaling on and over water

By Mike Eliasohn

Sunday, Aug. 16, was the 50th annual Port Huron Float Down, in which participants with no fear of drowning float down the St. Clair River from Port Huron to Marysville, about 7.1 miles.  (Although I was told many floaters don't go the entire distance.)

The event is unsanctioned and there are no official rules – though presumably motors are a no-no –  but not everyone is content to just float, with maybe a canoe paddle used as a rudder.  I did see some kayaks – I don't recall seeing a canoe –and this one (the yellow craft, in front).

The two ladies' legs were moving back and forth, so presumably the craft had some sort of linear-drive system, presumably spinning a propellor. I did an internet search of "linear drive human powered boat," or something similar, but didn't find anything.  If anyone knows anything about this craft, presumably manufactured, please inform the editor (mikethebike2325@comcast.net).

This photo shows more typical craft used in the Float Down, which drew an estimate from a U.S. Coast Guard officer of about 500 participants.  In the "good old days," I was told, the Float Down drew thousands of participants, pretty much "filling" the river from shore to shore.

During the event, Great Lakes ships were barred from traversing the St. Clair River, which connects Lake Huron to the north, to Lake St. Clair on the south. (For those unfamiliar with this area, the St. Clair River divides the U.S. from Canada. Sarnia is the largest community on the Canada side.)

Prior to the event, the Coast Guards of the U.S. and Canada both issued "please don't do it" warnings.  They and the St. Clair County Sheriff's Department had boats patrolling the event.

I assume no organization or business, such as a Chamber of Commerce or  tourism organization, sponsors or promotes the Float Down because of the danger and potential for drowning or injury, which could result in a lawsuit.

Writing this reminds me, pedal powered boat rallies used to be part of the HPV schedule, with some of them in Michigan, But as far as I know, there hasn't such an event in several years. (See "St. Joseph Human Powered Boat Meet" on this blog, posted July 2, 2008.)

Probably too late for this year, but how about someone organizing a pedal powered boat rally in 2027? 

After eight years of construction, the GORDIE HOWE INTERNATIONAL BRIDGE between Detroit and Windsor, Ontario, opened to motor traffic on July 27, then on Aug. 5,  the path for cyclists and pedestrians opened.

Of the four bridges connecting the east side of Michigan to Ontario, the Gordie Howe is the only one cyclists and pedestrians can cross.

It's 1.5 miles / 2.5 km across, and if you are afraid of heights, keep in mind at its highest point, the bridge is 150 feet / 46 meters above the water.

Unlike motorists, people traversing the bridge pay nothing.

The non-motorized path is open from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. until Oct. 31, then from 8-4 daily until March 31.

If you're going, keep in mind that you must carry travel and identification documents with you.

If any HPVers have traversed the bridge, or will be doing so, some photos for this blog will be nice. I'm thinking crossing the bridge in a velomobile would be cool.

More information is available at gordiehoweinternationalbridge.com. Plus there is a Gordie Howe International Bike Club, which has a Facebook page.

After an absence of one year,  RECUMBENT CYCLE-CON (cycle-con.com) returns to the Greene County Fairgrounds in Xenia, Ohio, on Sept. 18-20, with Friday open only to "those in the business" and to the public on Saturday and Sunday.

For people interested in buying a recumbent bicycle or tricycle or thinking of an upgrade from what they  are pedaling now is it's a great opportunity to see and try what's available in horizontal cycles. No velomobiles, however.

I don't anticipate going, but I would love to have a report and photos for the blog, so if anyone is going, please volunteer.

For reports of past Recumbent Cycle-Cons on this blog, scroll down to Oct. 23, 2014, when it was held near Chicago, and Oct. 17, 2016, when it was near Cincinnati.

Freak for All 2026: A cycle gathering of the weird

    by Chuck “Scoop” Brown, MHPVA ace reporter

 (aka Charles Brown)

        “Charles, there’s a Freak Bike event going on near you.  Go down there and get me some photos!”  snarls Mike Eliasohn over the phone. (Editor: Actually it was an email) 

 “Sure thing, chief, I’ll get on it right away!”

        Held July 4 at 333 Midland, a former factory in Highland Park now devoted to space for  artists to work on and display their creations,  the second annual event again offered a smorgasbord of all-you-can-ride bicycles of every description. (Highland Park, population 11,776,  is a city surrounded by Detroit.)

        Many of us developing recumbent cycles try to come up with faster, more comfortable, safer designs.  

       This group seems to go in the complete opposite direction: Questionable welds, no brakes, maladjusted components, an utter lack of lubricants, and not a helmet in sight.  I felt sorry for their lawyers.  Many of the bikes were deliberately designed to be challenging to ride.

    The bikes were in constant motion, the attendees were having a blast, trying out one bike after another.

   

 This one had a jet engine attached to the back fender.  Not as impressive as you might think, even with the engine going, the rider had to pedal the bike to get it to move. (Charles Brown photos)

        There were several ‘swing bikes’, notice the extra pivot at the seat tube.

A rear-steering bicycle, that is, the drive wheel is now in front and what was the front wheel still does the steering, but is in the rear.  And the handlebar and seat positions are reversed.  To turn right, the linkage turns the rear steering wheel to the left, and vice versa. 

 

        

A dicycle.

But why ?

Hard to envision, but the rider reaches up to turn the pedals with his hands, and steers with his feet.

In the freak bike world, this is what's called a "small tall."

A different small tall, in front of a tandem tall bike.

Climbing onto a tall bike.  What's more difficult , getting on to go for a ride, or when done, getting off ?

A former church pew, now a pedal-powered pew.  To turn right, the rider on the right stops pedaling, while the rider on the left keeps pedaling.  Or vice versa.

A side-by-side tandem bike.

Giddy up !

A velocino, also called a donkey bike. This type of bicycle, intended as compact, easily stored cycle for urban use, was introduced in Europe in the mid-1930s

A long, low stretch cruiser, sometimes called a burrito bike.

A non-low stretch cruiser.

A cargo bike, with the load going on the platform in front.

Two conference bikes, designed for group riding. Riders face each other while pedaling, to promote interaction and collaboration, making the the cycles ideal for team-building activities.  Notice the big tire unicycle behind the front conference bike.

Notes:   It was a hot day and the Highland Park Fire Department was there with a fire truck, ready for fire fighters to cool attendees with a spray of water.

    Several videos of this event can be seen on Facebook.  Type in "Freak for All 2026" and you should find them.

41st Michigan HPV Rally - June 20-21, 2026

 

In the 20-lap road race on Sunday morning, Thomas Bergeron on a Bachetta Giro is ahead of Joe Toriyama on a Specialized Allez.  They came to the rally together from Granby, Quebec. Joe was the only competitor in all events riding an upright bike.  (Mike E. photo)

To see complete results, click on or cut-and-paste this onto the search /website line: 

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1EUnh4n18xkQ6JdfVC_r5XbJGJPRV83WqHX5fvRTp09c/edit?usp=drivesdk

Videos and many more photos can be seen on the HPRA: Human Powered Race America Facebook page.

If you see any errors or omissions or have questions or suggestions, please email the author at mikethebike2325@comcast.net 

By Mike Eliasohn

The 41st annual Michigan Human Powered Vehicle Rally at the Waterford Hills sports car racing track in Clarkston on June 20-21 was marked by perfect temperatures, no rain when it mattered, and, of course, a great time by those who have an interest in fast pedal-powered vehicles that don’t look like “normal” bicycles.

However, turnout / participation was down from last year, with about 25 competitors compared to about 40 last year. 

In 2025, we had 21 students from the University of Toronto, the most ever; this year, 12. 

 The U-T Human-Powered Vehicles Design Team came with three streamliners, one of them new (Typhoon), a student-built low racer and three manufactured recumbents. 

A team photo is now traditional when the University of Toronto Human-Powered Vehicles Design Team is at the Michigan HPV Rally.  This was the team's 14th year at the rally.  (Erin Price photo)

Last year, five young men came from Quebec; this year, two.

Five people who probably would have raced were on the "injured" list, only one of them due to a cycling accident.

And at least four old-timers who were at the 2025 rally were absent this year, even though I don’t recall that any of them raced.

Also on June 20-21 was the National 24-Hour Challenge in the Hastings area in west Michigan, which might have taken away a few competitors who otherwise would have been at our event.

Special thanks to Mike Mowett and Dennis Grelk, who didn’t compete due to non-cycling injuries, but still did everything else they normally do to make the rally possible, including Dennis doing the timing, handling transponders, compiling results, etc. Plus driving more than 500 miles from and to Donnellson, Iowa.

Mike M. set up all the timing traps, as usual, worked on results, did other work, and still found time to post videos.

Thank you also to Paul Pancella, Dan Glatch, Jane Hunn, Dave Johnson, John Simon, Andrea Hanger and everyone else who helped.

Joseph Savage was a first time competitor on his Volae with tail fairing he made from stiff foam.  He finished 5th in the stock class.  (Mike E. photo)

First-time competitor Joseph Savage and Krystal Bagnaschi drove 692 miles from Lebanon, New Hampshire.  

And three Ammingers came more than 800 miles from Memphis, Tennessee.

Ishtey Amminger first competed at the rally at age 12, coming with his father, Peter, in 2015, and they have been regulars since.

This year, Ishtey was there with his new bride, Sarah, and his father.  (Peter’s daughter, Elle, who lives in Kalamazoo, joined them for the weekend.)

The last scheduled event on Saturday afternoon, the standing-start kilometer, was cancelled because we were running late, which has happened before. We got the three scheduled events in Sunday morning, had a final meeting and finished shortly after 1 p.m.

Here’s the top three in each class:

Streamliner (6 entries) – 1) John Simon, Portland, Moby, 290 points, 2) Cyclone, University of Toronto, various riders, 236, 3) Typhoon, U-T, various riders, 195.

Streetliner (5 entries) – 1) Greg Andrews, Ontario, Pedal Prix trike, 2) Ray Mickevicius, Wasaga Beach, Ontario, Pedal Prix trike, 3) Jeff Hunn, North Manchester, Ind., DFXL velomobile.

Stock (12 entries) – 1) Daryl Hanger, Mooresville, Ind., Velokraft NoCom, 2) Rob Lloyd, Whitmore Lake, Morciglio low racer, 3) Ishtey Amminger, Memphis, Tenn., NoCom low racer.

Tricycle (one entry) – 1) Joe Pixley, Springfield, Va., GreenSpeed Aero. 

eAssist (one entry) – this is an unofficial class: 1) Paul Pancella, Kalamazoo, eQuest.

Women – There were at least two women from the University of Toronto in some events, but no one signed up to officially compete in the women’s class. 

After having last competed at the Michigan rally in 2013, Sean Costin was back at age 60 and still very fast.  In Swift, he won Saturday's one-hour for streamliners, then on his NoCom, the one-hour for unstreamlined bikes. In the sprints on Sunday, he won the stock class at 41.19 mph, – the second fastest speed overall.  Sean designed and made the Swift fairing with some help. It fits over his NoCom, so he's racing the same bike in both classes, with and without the fairing. (Top photo by Mike Mowett, bottom by Joe Solecki)

Following are the top two in each class in each event. 

SATURDAY:

One-hour:  Faired vehicles (12 entries) – 1) Sean Costin, Arlington Heights, Ill.,  23 laps of 1.4 mile track, 31.754 mph / 51.1 kph, 2) Jonathan Walters, Cincinnati, Ohio, Bulk MK1 velomobile, 22 laps, 29.019 / 46.70.  Unfaired vehicles (11 entries) – 1) Sean Costin. 19 laps, 26.202 mph / 42.17 kph, 2) Rob Lloyd, 19 laps, 26.013 / 41.86.

Hill climb: Streamliner – 1) Ethan Todd, U-T, Vortex, 26.419 seconds, 2) John Simon, 27.721. 

Streetliner – 1) Jonathan Walters, 20.191 seconds (1st overall), 2) Greg Andrews, 25.684.

Stock – Joe Toriyama, Granby, Ontario, Specialzed Allez upright bike, 21.557 seconds (2nd overall), 2) Daryl Hanger, 21.910 (3rd overall). 

eAssist – 1) Paul Pancella, 24.910 seconds.

Tricycle – Joe Pixley, 27.473 seconds.

Women – 1) Kai Zabitsky, U-T, HP SpeedMachine, 33.131 seconds, 2) Sophia Pend, U-T, HP SpeedMachine, 33.131. 

Coast down: Streetliner – 1) Jonathan Walters, 1st overall, 2) Greg Andrews, 3rd overall.

Streamliner – 1) John Simon, 2nd overall, 2) U-T Typhoon.

Stock – 1) Rob Lloyd, 7th overall, 2) Daryl Hanger, 9th overall.

Tricycle – 1) Joe Pixley, 14th overall.

SUNDAY:

200-foot sprint (61 meters):

Streamliner – 1) Ethan Todd, U-T, Cyclone, 41.60 mph / 66.95 kph, 2) John Simon, 41.05 / 66.06.

Streetliner – 1) Greg Andrews, 40.04 mph / 65.14 kph. 2) Ray Mickevicius, 39.64 / 63.80.

Stock – 1) Sean Costin, 41.19 mph / 66.28 kph, 2) Ron Wyatt, _____, Morciglio Apache low racer, 40.93 / 65.86.

eAssist– 1) Paul Pancella, 32.55 mph / 52.38 kph.

Women – Erin Price, U-T, Typhoon, 37.54 mph / 60.41 kph.

25-lap road race  (15.6 miles / 25.1 km, short course is .624 mile / just over 1 km :  Streamliner (3 entries) – 1) John Simon, 26.538 mph / 41.71 kph (1st overall),       2) Sean Costin, 19.529 / 31.43.

Streetliner (4  entries) – 1) Ray Mickevicius, 25.689 mph / 41.34 kph (2nd overall) 2) Greg Andrews, 24.137 / 37.24 kph.

eAssist – 1) Paul Pancella, 23.637 mph / 34.04 kph.

20-lap road race (12.48 miles / 20.1 km) – Stock (9 entries) – 1) Sean Costin, 26.275 mph / 42.29 kph, 2) Ron Wyatt, 24.941 / 40.12.

Tricycle – 1) Joe Pixley, 21.16 mph / 34.05 kph.

Ray Mikevicius (seated at left) and Greg Andrews (at right) came from Wasaga Beach, Ontario, with Ray's fleet of four Australian Pedal Prix trikes. Greg finished first overall in the streamliner class, followed by Ray in second.  In addition to racing two of the them, the trikes were available for test rides. (Mike E. photo)

The start of the Saturday morning 1-hour time trial for the streamliner and  streetliner classes, plus one eVelo.  (Riders of streetliner vehicles must be able to start / stop without assistance. Streamliner riders are allowed assistance.) Overall winner was Sean Costin – 23 laps at average of 31.752 mph / 51.1 kph. (Mike E. photo)

Start of Saturday's 1-hour for "unfaired" classes.  (Stock class are allowed a front- or rear- fairing.)  Sean Costin won with 19 laps completed at 26.202 mph / 42.17 kph. (Mike E. photo)

Daryl Hanger of Mooresville, Ind. (seen here giving his right leg a rest) is colorful and loud – he usually plays loud music while riding.  He's also fast – he won the stock class over 11 other competitors.  (Mike E. photo)

Lining up on Saturday afternoon to do the standing start hill climb – a climb of about 28 feet in a distance of about 600 feet (6.5 meters / 183 meters).   At the end of the line is Joe Pixley, the lone tricycle competitor. At the top of the hill, riders stop pedaling and coast as far as they can. The now traditional rally event was designed to test hill climbing ability and aerodynamics. (Tim Potter photo)

After racing a front-wheel-drive CruzBike high racer for several years, Ishtey Amminger of Memphis, Tenn., went low this year, on a NoCom.  He finished 3rd in the stock class.  (Dan Glatch photo)

John Simon of Portland won the streamliner class in his Moby streamliner, over five other competitors. Terry Hreno of Connorsville, Ind., built Moby in 1984 and sold it to John in 1988. He's been racing it ever since. (Daryl Hanger photo)

Dennis Grelk (left) didn't race this year, but in addition to doing the many timing related tasks, he brought his creation for show-and-tell.  Designed for off-road winter racing, both wheels are driven and the fat tires are studded. It weights about 100 pounds.  He's showing the bike to Peter Amminger.  (Mike E. photo)