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The longest thing on two wheels, the "Quatrodecimalopede
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The longest thing on two wheels, the "Quatrodecimalopede
The longest thing on two wheels, the " Quatrodecimalopede, earned astonished stares when its 14 lusty young riders pedalled to take part in Coventry Carnival. It is 31 1/2 feet-longer than a Corporation bus-and the man on the front had an almost Hurculean task, especially going round corners. It looked as if there ought to be what seafaring men would call an after-steering position. But the young men who built this 14-seater juggernaut were out for a world record and this is what they are claiming. The fantastic machine is built from steel scaffolding tube, in two parts, slotted and bolted together. Its motley crew sat on a varied assortment of scrap saddles, and, as if it were necessary, gave warning of their approach by klaxon and hunting horn. During their journey the old bathtub they were towing to catch contributions overturned. It looked as if the tub would travel better in ballast so they stopped for some stone to weigh it down. But still it gave trouble and their journey to the War Memorial Park was fraught with difficulty, even after they jettisoned it in Hollyfast Road. A major problem arose when they shed a crank and chain wheel. Never minf, the 14 - most of them rugger men and not easily daunted - have won themselves a contract to appear in a comedy film.
19th June 1967
Coventry Telegraph Archive
Mirrorpix
Coventry
West Midlands
England
PM*887697
Media ID 21578247
© Mirrorpix
Bicycles Coventry Cycles Cycling Helmets Home Made 1967
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EDITORS COMMENTS
The Quatrodecimalopede: A Marvel of Engineering and Determination". In this print from 1967, we witness the awe-inspiring sight of the "Quatrodecimalopede" a colossal contraption that earned astonished stares as it made its way through Coventry Carnival. Stretching an impressive 31 1/2 feet long, this behemoth on two wheels was longer than even a Corporation bus. The man at the front had an almost Herculean task maneuvering this extraordinary creation, especially when navigating corners. With its size, one might expect an after-steering position like those found on seafaring vessels. However, these fourteen young riders were determined to claim a world record and built their fantastical machine using steel scaffolding tubes in two parts cleverly slotted and bolted together. Perched upon a motley assortment of scrap saddles, the crew announced their approach with klaxons and hunting horns – as if such a massive spectacle needed any further warning! Along their journey, they encountered mishaps; their old bathtub for collecting contributions overturned multiple times until they decided to weigh it down with stones. Eventually abandoning it in Hollyfast Road due to ongoing trouble. Despite facing difficulties along the way - including shedding a crank and chain wheel - these fourteen resilient individuals persevered. Most of them rugby players not easily daunted by challenges. Their determination paid off as they secured themselves a contract to appear in a comedy film. This remarkable photograph captures both the ingenuity behind this incredible feat of engineering and the indomitable spirit driving these young men towards achieving greatness.
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