Hindsight did not get to make a final run, and so the collegiate record set by Berkeley will stand for another year.

The ambulance crew at Battle Mountain is made up of 9 volunteers. Late Saturday afternoon they had to respond to a call out on the highway. Apparently there was an accident involving a triple trailer. Later on, they had to respond to a call in town involving a small child.




This was the rear of the bike after extensive repairs on Friday and Saturday. The stickers read "Life's a party. Crash it!!!" and "Miracles Happen".

Everyone worked pretty hard on Saturday to get the bike ready. It was a real team effort; despite a broken wheel fairing, a broken chain link, and a mysterious flat tire everyone pulled together and fixed the bike with over half an hour of time to spare.

At about 4:30 pm we drove the bike out to the course with hopes still high. Matt was scheduled to be last in the launch line, but as 6pm rolled around we knew that the chances of the ambulance showing up were slim.

We left the course silent and dissappointed. We did all we could, but a factor outside of our control sealed our fate... at least until next year. Matt would have broken the record, everyone knew it. The conditions were perfect, a bit on the cold side... but the wind was low. He said his legs felt great, and the bike was ready for the run too.

At the awards ceremony the Cal Poly team won the perserverance award, and I believe everyone else in the room could feel our pain, especially after the repairs we put in. I really felt that the recumbent community accepted Cal Poly as a legitimate team. We probably surprised a few people with the 55mph run, and the knowledge that there was still power left in the rider. I think that we were a class act, and a model for other universities who may want to enter the competition.

During the ceremony, in a moment of opportunity, Bill Patterson mentioned to Damjan that Cal Poly could take the bike back to school and do some analysis on it. Damjan agreed and the next morning the yellow Evie II was in the back of Darryl's truck. The bike is quite a work of wonder, and it's pretty exciting that this piece of art, and engineering marvel will be part of Cal Poly. I think that this opportunity helped to brighten the trip and really give the team something positive to take home. Oh, Nick also bought Sam Whittingham's old wheels... you should ask him aboot it when you see him on campus.

For me, I've been overjoyed to work with Nick and Matt on their bike. The experience of Battle Mountain has been a blast, and I've really just enjoyed the ride the last few weeks. Saturday was a reminder that sometimes there are things that are more important than what you're trying to do, and sometimes you just have to be patient. I was also reminded that you can do everything in your power, but sometimes the results you want aren't in your control. I've really enjoyed seeing the passion Nick and Matt put into this project. Projects like this, along with the ASME HPV, baja, formula, supermileage, hybrid vehicle... are about the people who are passionate about the project/sport. There was little prize money in the event, probably just enough to cover the trip for the winners. But the money wasn't why anyone was there, and I think most of the people would still be there if there wasn't any prize money.

Finally, thanks to all of the people involved... firstly Matt and Nick for being crazy enough to take on the project. George and Carol Leone for their continuous support of Cal Poly HPV, their undying generosity and willingness to help. Thanks to Matt's family for making it out to Nevada along with Staci, Joe, and Darryl. And thanks to everyone for all of the support you've given us.