How are you all doing out there? Spring has sprung and those long summer evenings are stretching out and making post work rides an attractive possibility. We have been feverishly working away with our dealers and distributors and getting them settled in and familiar with our dealer webshop and platform. It'll make things much easier for them and, hopefully in turn, for all you end customers out there.
A post-work ride past an old disused air field last week reminded us of past achievements in the form of the Cargo Bike Speed Record. Held way back in 2015, with our good friend Rasmus Quaade, the original story was published on the Bike Citizens site and we figured it might be nice to revisit the story as we recently had the incredible Time Trial Bullitt used in the record attempt photographed.
''Last thursday marked the first attempt of the speed record on a cargo bike by the man-myth, Rasmus Quaade. Immortalised in danish cycling at a young age by the excellent Daniel Dencik documentary Moonrider, Quaade has also been country’s time trial champion and we could not think of a candidate more suited to attempting the record. Aside from this, the man is cool as feck and rocks the best moustache, this side of the 18th century.
Many months in the making due to various product launches and Rasmus’ hectic tour schedule on the Cult Continental Team, we finally managed to assemble a flock of Bullitt owners and enthusiasts out on an abandoned airstrip north of Copenhagen. In the days running up to the attempt, Claus, the stalwart mechanic at Larry vs Harry feverishly built the designated Indigo Bullitt up with a hefty selection of drool-worthy parts, including a pretty wild time trial cockpit and the ever impressive Dura Ace Di2 groupset. We looked nervously at the weather forecast, trying to collectively come up with a half-decent synopsis. Things were looking patchy and a cursed cross wind looked ever more likely.
The day of the record attempt dawned and a dedicated crowd of around thirtyfive Bullitt riders arrived at the shop in driving rain and greeted both old and new friends whilst we gathered spare inner tubes, distributed beer and other essential spares amongst the bikes. As if by some holy reckoning, as we crossed Dronning Louise’s Bro into Nørrebro and started our journey north the sun peeked from behind the storm clouds and graced us with it’s warmth. As we pedalled up to Værløse Flyvestation, the airstrip 20km north of Copenhagen, we were joined by the ever cheerful and industrious Cykelkokken, the Bullitt based chef whose ambitious meals-on-wheels never fail to impress, not just due to the quality and quantity of food he makes, but by the incredible warmth and enthusiasm he always brings to an arrangement. With Quaade heading up the procession and the assorted bicycle based tomfoolery in full swing, the ride was over in a flash and we found ourselves staring down the airstrip marvelling at the scale of it all.
Once assembled, we mounted the prerequisite cans of Cult energy drink aboard Rasmus’ Bullitt as, let’s be honest unless the bike is bearing cargo, it cannot really be referred to as a Cargo-bike Speed Record. The amassed cargo weighed a not insignificant 26kg and we were given the green light by master of ceremonies for the evening, Hans Bullitt Fogh. Quaade removed his warm-up kit to reveal a skinsuit fitting for the occasion and a pair of legs, so chiselled, the Greek term Adonis would not be unfitting. Timekeepers and marshals were placed accordingly and we were a-gogo. Two attempts of 2km along the length of the airstrip were to be ridden, with the average speed of the two runs taken.
Watching the professional road cyclist pilot the Bullitt, drop jawed to an average speed of 42.3km/h, I was struck not only by the speed achieved but more by the grace and composure with which Rasmus Quaade demonstrated. It was a phenomenal sight, briefly put. The first run finished in a blindingly quick 2:37.97, with a speed of 48km/h. On. A. Cargobike…..The second run (3:02.72) was battling with the wind a little and so brought the average speed down, nevertheless and ever buoyant, Quaade cheerily accepted congratulations from the crowd, the local town council and conducted interviews with television crews. As the sun retreated to the horizon, we feasted on hot, salted beef bagels with pickles, courtesy of Cykelkøkken and drank the beer booze dry.
As we rode home, through the forest with lights a-twinkling through the trees, I was struck by the sense of community around this bike. The Bullitt, regardless of occasion, never fails to generate an enthusiastic crowd of wellwishers and helpers. So thanks to all who made this Speed Record possible, Rasmus Quaade first and foremost, but also to the many others whose ever-willing commitment and contribution to the Bullitt and to Larry vs Harry keeps our wheels-a-turnin’.
It's a lovely feeling, a bit nostalgic perhaps, but lovely nevertheless, looking back on these events and highlights from years past. Seeing Rasmus, a friend who we now ride with on a nearly weekly basis back in his youthful moustached days. Anders Hviid who took the studio images of Rasmus' Time Trial machine also took the images back in 2015 and is someone we work with regularly. In a world where 'partners' and 'service providers' come and go perhaps a little too quickly, it reminds us of our amazing friends, who we met riding through cycling and the Bullitt and who have been incredibly supportive towards us through the years.
As a small appendix to this story.....Cykelkokken has evolved somewhat. From the 'meals on wheels' as described back in the story, Morten has developed his bicycle based gastronomic adventures into a fully fledged, amazing experience with a team of bicycle chefs, with various bases and hubs for serving around Copenhagen.
You can go have a look at the original Bike Citizens article here and read some of their other great stories.
Have a wonderful weekend.
Much love. Larry vs Harry
