I rode the world's first human-powered monorail – here's what it was like

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I rode the world's first human-powered monorail – here's what it was like Telegraph.co.uk

Well, it seemed like a good idea at the time. Who would pass up on the opportunity to give an old university mate a hiding (in the spirit of friendly competition) pedalling enclosed, in an aerodynamic Perspex bubble, suspended from a monorail? Thinking about it, that’s probably what crossed Eli’s mind when I suggested to him that we meet at Rotorua’s Velocity Valley for a duel on the Shweeb Racer.

Emerging stiff-legged after a two-and-a-half hour drive on the road south from Auckland, I found my confidence reduced. Eli is a “Rotovegas” local and arrived looking altogether too fresh and lively and with a mountain bike in the back of his pickup. My confidence dwindled some more.

Still, at least I didn’t have to balance on anything: the Shweeb is based on a recumbent cycle design – one of those reclined slightly bonkers-looking bicycle contraptions – and, since it dangles from its rail, you can’t fall off. I asked attendants Harley and Lela if anyone had ever been sick inside one. They said that they hadn’t.

As I was being fitted into my pod – the seats slide forward for short-legged Shweebers – I asked Lela if there was some way she could make sure I would win. She pointed to a button on the overhead handlebars and said, “Press that for pedal assist.” I looked across to check Eli hadn’t heard. Harley and Lela closed and fastened the side doors and then, with a “three-two-one”, a controlled shove and a shout of “pedal, pedal, pedal!”, we were off...

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This looks so cool. Wish there was one close by to ride here in East Tennessee!