| 21st Annual MHPVA Rally returning to Waterford, MI June 5, 6 |
| Rather than an ultra-competitive event, the annual Michigan HPV Rally contains fun events such as a hill climb contest, a contest to see how far you can coast down a hill, how fast you can pedal through a timing trap to measure top speed, a practical vehicle competition, and time trials. This will be the 21st annual rally, making it the oldest continuous human powered vehicle event in North America.
The rally will be held at the Waterford Sportsman's Club (www.waterfordhills.com) from 8 am-5 pm on Saturday and from 8 am-1 pm on Sunday.
The rally also is an opportunity to view a wide range of human powered vehicles, as well as socialize with other HPV enthusiasts from around the midwest.
The rally is conducted by the Michigan Human Powered Vehicle Association (MHPVA). Some of its members build their own bicycles and tricycles, most of them recumbents, but the organization is open to anyone interested in human powered transportation.
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The rally is open to anyone with a human-powered vehicle, the main requirements being functional brakes for multiple wheels and rearview mirrors on the left and right sides. There will be classes for stock (no fairing/streamlining allowed); super stock (partial fairing); super street (rider's head must be above fairing); streamliner; junior (riders 15 and under); women; and multi-rider.
While there is a fee for participants, there is no charge for spectators. Volunteers are needed to help run all events and to assist with scorekeeping.
Camping will be available at the rally site on Friday and Saturday evenings. Some electrical hookups will be available. The restrooms will be open all night.
For more information, call 313-884-0109 (no later than 9 p.m. please) or e-mail wkiehler@comcast.net.
(see "Rally" on page 2)
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Urban Transportation Contest to Test Many Facets of HPVs
by Paul Pancella
The MHPVA has conducted the urban transportation contest at Waterford for the past few years. This year's event will be on Saturday afternoon, June 5.
The UTC is for anyone interested in multiple dimensions of HPV performance. One contest can't measures all the ways HPVs can be used in the real world, but we can measure more than just speed.
My aim in designing the UTC was to judge the best vehicles for moving people around town on their most common errands and commutes, on paved roads, in all weather conditions, mixing it up with other kinds of traffic, and with light cargo capability. The emphasis is on the vehicles, rather than the skills or strengths of individual riders.
This contest is open to all competitors at the rally at no extra charge. The results will not be included in the HPRA points series, but there will be prizes for the top finishers. Vehicles will have to pass the same technical requirements as for the rest of the rally, with the exception that rearview mirrors will earn points, but are not a requirement for UTC participation.
(see "UTC" on page 4)
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