Trans-USA Challenge

A cyclist challenges the very latest form of personal flying machine, a motorized paraglider called a paramotor, to a race across a continent noted for its deserts 10,000 feet mountains and swamplands.

The rules are very simple; both machines must compete against each other without outside assistance.

The Cyclist: (Gerry)

The cyclist uses a lightweight touring bicycle is capable of carrying virtually everything except food and water for the entire journey, which is expected to be between 30 - 40 days. Being a lightweight touring cycle means that it is not as robust as a normal tourer and will restricted to reasonable road surfaces and carrying relatively lightweight gear. Many hours of research have gone into searching for the lightest and best quality items on the market.

Restricted in many areas to secondary roads the bicycle cannot take the most direct route as many highways prohibit cyclists. Generally they can be as fast as 45 mph downhill and average 10 - 15 mph over a typical journey of 100 mile per day.

The Paramotor Pilot: (Paul)

The paramotor pilot uses a Bailey Aviation 175cc 4-stroke engine with a propeller and harness attached into which Paul straps himself. The paramotor propels him forwards underneath a Dudek Synthesis paraglider wing and uses approximately 2 litres (1/2 US Gallon) of unleaded petrol per hour. The pilot is capable of reaching over 35 mph airspeed in calm conditions and climbing to over 10,000 feet. The pilot needs to refuel approximately every 5 - 6 hours and is capable of averaging around 200 miles non-stop in still nil-wind conditions - although it is doubtful whether Paul's bladder can hold out that long!!

How did the challenge come about?

One day, Gerry went into the aircraft hangar where Paul was mucking about with one of his paramotors and started waxing lyrical about how he was going to cycle across America along the Southern Tier Trans American Route in 2009.

Paul told Gerry that an old man such as himself was going to find it pretty tough, especially going up the hills. He added that what Gerry really needed was a paramotor on his back to give him some mechanical assistance. Gerry replied that that would be cheating and that he could cycle faster than a paramotor could fly, anyway. Paul laughed at that and said that he could definitely fly faster than Gerry could pedal. Gerry thought about that for a while and said that although over a short distance, the paramotor may be faster, over a longer distance that wouldn't be the case because it couldn't fly in the rain, or at night, or into a strong wind. Paul retorted that his paramotor would still be faster overall and so Gerry threw down the inevitable gauntlet!

"Right," he said, "I challenge you to a race across America. I will cycle and you will try to beat me on your paramotor so it will be a bit like a tortoise and hare situation. We will also try to emulate the sprit of the Wright Brothers who were both cycle manufacturers and pioneers of aviation!"

What could Paul do but accept the challenge!!

"And may the best man win!" He replied.