HPV Racing is Small World Superfun!
If you’re a cyclist who’d like to get back to friendly racing and a small world vibe, go hunt up an HPV race and see what’s cookin’. You’ll be positively surprised.
Basically, it’s still like road racing was in the 70’s and mt-bike racing in the early 80’s, you like…you try.
If USCF and NORBA scenes are givin you the willies lately, try an HPV race instead!
In HPV racing families still bring picnics to events and share pops.
It’s where everyone helps each other out and lets each other ride their bikes and shares technology. It’s a scene where the manufacturers help riders DIY repairs and build their own stuff instead of always trying to sell them stuff. You can meet the owner/builders of ANY of the companies. All work, even the mass-produced, shows *craftsmanship* and true innovation (if you’re tired of nth-degree elaborations of pointless surface issues). It’s a race scene where the riders who show up get to vote on any issues of debate at the race. It’s a multi-event day of diverse action where you get in all sorts of riding for one CHEAP fee which actually only goes to paying for the facility! And after the racing, there’s sometimes a group tour on some nice local roads.
And a get-together for dinner.
Oh, and the ACTION, well, this homebrew fun adds up to lots of big speed run at the limits of traction and amazing tests of handling. It’s folky fun run out at the limits of high-tech, which also often includes creative application of low-tech. And the innovation isn’t only focused on the racing, but also everything relating to it: bike foldability and transport are worked on; fairing foldability, ease of installment and fabrication are worked on; and practical vehicle competitions are also part of most events which emphasize:
how good is this race bike at safety, manuevering and cargo
hauling? People innovate on their cars, too: I saw a classy
execution of a faired Honda VX, 60mpg. The work you see
really celebrates *human power*, creativity and a desire to
rely less on cars for transit, image or sport.
Many HPV buffs are engineers and pilots who are happy to
share the benefits of their experience with each other.
Not a bad scene! And a breath of fresh air if you’ve been needing it.
