Trefnant's Graham Sparey-Taylor's yellow 'banana-like' tricycle has turned heads...

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Mystery of the yellow 'unidentified rolling object' is solved North Wales Live

The mystery of the yellow "unidentified rolling object" that's been turning heads across Conwy Denbighshire has been solved.

The "banana-like" human-powered vehicle is in fact a three-wheeled recumbent cycle with an aerodynamic shell around it.

Known as a Velomobile - it is a type of bicycle car - and one of the most efficient vehicles available.

It attracted attention earlier this week when it was spotted razzing around the roads leaving many baffled as to what it was.

But readers and enthusiasts from across the world contacted North Wales Live to shed light on the situation after videos were shared on social media.

Jan Bens, who lives in Belgium and owns one said: "The Unidentified Rolling Object in Rhyl is not a motor but a three-wheeled recumbent cycle with an aerodynamic shell around it.

"The recumbent positions makes traveling way more comfortable and safer than an upright bike and saves your bottom, neck, lower back and wrists.

"As well as it makes you go faster with the same effort compared to a normal bicycle...

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The story behind the yellow Velomobile that's been turning heads across North Wales North Wales Live

When Graham Sparey-Taylor goes for a spin on his bike, he gets a lot more strange looks than your average cyclist.

His little yellow Velomobile has been compared to a spaceship or a cross between an aeroplane and a banana.

In fact, it's a human-powered three-wheeled recumbent cycle with an aerodynamic shell around it, making it one of the most efficient vehicles available.

But the 52-year-old, from Trefnant, Denbighshire, has inadvertently become the talk of the town, turning heads while out and about on his jaunts.

In recent weeks, some have taken to social media to share photos and videos of the "unidentified rolling object" from the Netherlands, of which only a few have been shipped to the UK.

But they have a worldwide following and can reach speeds of 40mph in closed circuit races - just with human power alone.

Their recumbent positions make traveling more comfortable and safer than an upright bike and their shell means they can go 30% faster with the same amount of effort.

The only downside is the cost and the fact that its weight of 27kg can make travelling uphill difficult.

Engineer Graham bought the Quest model in August but actually built his first recumbent cycle back in the 1990s.

Speaking to North Wales Live, the father, who has a PHD in electronics, said ...

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Trefnant's Graham Sparey-Taylor's yellow 'banana-like' tricycle has turned heads for the past few months Denbighshire Free Press

THE owner of one of North Wales most eye-catching ‘vehicles’ has spoken of what it’s like to hit the road in the banana-like Tricycle.

Graham Sparey-Taylor’s yellow Velomobile has been turning heads in the region since last August.

The human-powered vehicle is a three-wheeled recumbent cycle with an aerodynamic shell around it and is considered to be one of the most efficient vehicles available.

In recent months, many have taken to social media to share photos and videos of the unique vehicle from the Netherlands, of which only a few have been shipped to the UK.

Graham has lived in Trefnant since last July and has been spotted travelling through various parts of North Wales by several awe-struck passers-by.

The 52-year-old says that, despite the Coronavirus pandemic and its many lockdowns, he has been able to take his Velomobile out nearly every day.

Graham, who is a senior lecturer in automotive and motorsport engineering at the University of Wolverhampton’s Telford campus, said: “I aim to get out for ...

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