Buck Rodger's P-38 Starship

Photos by Sue Huss Photography

Faired P-38. This bike goes about 29 mph down the same 3% grade hill that the faired trike below goes 25.5. Without the front fairing the trike goes 23 down that hill. The bike is capable of 25 mph at around 220 watts on flat windless terrain. It would take a road bike with a 170 pound rider 300 to 320 watts to achieve 25 mph. My personal bests on this bike are: A 4:40 out and back century total time, about 22 mph on the bike. Average power 163 watts. A 33 mile hilly loop on a windy day in 1:22 or 24.2 mph. Average power 218 watts.

The fairing is coroplast shaped like a blimp, or blunt airfoil. It handles pretty well in wind, but when the wind gets over 20 mph I usually ride something else. The most ticklish moments are when descending and you break out of the trees and catch a gusting crosswind in the bottom of a swale. I've had that at 42 mph and been moved over a foot or so.

The lid in the back is raised and the sides widened to provide draft for my roadie friends. They get enough draft to raise their average speed. Two drafted behind me on our sub-5 hour century.