Hydrocycle Explained
A hydrocycle is a bicycle-like watercraft. The concept was known in the 1870s as a water velocipede[1] and the name was in use by the late 1890s.[2]
Power is collected from the rider via a crank with pedals, as on a bicycle, and delivered to the water or the air via a propeller.[3] Seating may be upright or recumbent, and multiple riders may be accommodated in tandem or side-by-side.[4]
Buoyancy is provided by two or more pontoons or a single surfboard, and some have hydrofoils that can lift the flotation devices out of the water.[5] [6] [7]
Brands include Seacycle, Hydrobike, Water Bike, Seahorse (Cross Trek)[8] and itBike. Kits exist to temporarily convert an existing bicycle into a hydrocycle.[9]
See also
Notes and References
- Edward H. Knight, Knight's American mechanical dictionary ... (New York : Hurd and Houghton, 1877), vol. 3, p. 2698
- Book: Oxford English Dictionary. hydrocycle n. [cycle n. 11] a velocipede adapted for propulsion on the surface of water. 1898 River & Coast 9 July 13/1 One of the most interesting items was the Hydrocycle versus Skiff Race..
- Web site: Decavitator Human-Powered Hydrofoil. Massachusetts Institute of Technology. 2011-07-22.
- News: Upon the seat of a water-bicycle built for two. Fairfax New Zealand Limited. Alana Dixon. 2011-07-02. 2011-07-22.
- Web site: Wetwing. Human Powered Hydrofoils. 2011-07-24.
- Web site: Muskelbetriebene Tragflächenboote . FreakSport . 2011-07-24 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20111117102012/http://www.freaksport.com/de/sports/hph.html . 2011-11-17 .
- Web site: Human Powered Boats World Championship in Eutin . 21–22 July 2001 . Leo de Vries . World of Waterbiking . 2011-07-24 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120328033649/http://www.waterbike.eu/Articles/WKEutin2001/WKEutin2001.html . 28 March 2012 .
- Web site: Seahorse Bike Powered Airboat.
- Web site: Shuttle-Bike - convert a bike to a pedal-power boat. Mike Hanlon. June 4, 2004. GizMag. 2011-06-24.
