AdamR28

Commuted home yesterday... needs a few small tweaks but no bits fell off! A bit more testing to do then ready for bodywork. Much tougher to pedal than I expected - it's allll about the quads, I didn't realise how much MTB uses core, arms, and other leg muscles too! Ed, don't suppose you know what yours weighed?

Dave, Ed, thanks! I have a copy of Unigraphics somewhere (think it uses the same engine as Solidworks?), however someone has beater me to it anyway, and saved me a load of work... My theory was that a lot of the current cars in BPCC use the same rear design because they share the mould around the drivers / teams, and said mould had been made based around the convention for trikes, because obviously the rear is a lot narrower: (Yes that is Guy Martin having a crack at their 24hr race!) However, with a 4 wheeler being much wider at the back, I wondered if rotating that tail design through 90 degrees would be better - and also a shitload easier to manufacture using the rudimenary techniques I have in mind This guy's simulation puts drag at an astonishing 6N at 15m/s! Obviously we're never going to get anywhere near that but at least it proves that changing the tail shape isn't a complete dud. He also made a good point about having the height of the tail matching the line where air will split (under and over) at the nose, which made a lot of sense. Edit: Bonus image of the kevlar slug Ed mentioned above I think he's onto something to be honest... Cambridge Uni solar power car above, I doubt they will have waved a finger in the air when it came to designing the body shape

Cheers Anal, I'll have a look at that...

That's ace, thanks Dave. I downloaded OpenFOAM last night but having no CAD model to put in there was a bit limiting I've decided I'm over-thinking it and going the 80% route of 'if it looks right' will do the job... great to know there is an option though, thanks again for the info! Cheers for the pics Ed - that is definitely not an aero beard is it Are you going to have a crack at any other rounds this year?

@monkeyseemonkeydo I can see you looking...... Do you know of any basic CFD software (preferably with inbuilt CAD) that's free and easy to use? Long shot I know, but I'm wondering if a different body shape to 'the norm' (most of the teams seem to share the same mould so all the cars look the same) might be beneficial...

It's my best 'will some bits fall off or not when I get to ride the thing' face

I've just spent ages planning the build then read this. Probably need to spend more time riding as that is likely where all the lap time is from Do you have any pics of the finished thing? What did you do for a fairing in the end? Got a load of parts on the way to start the build, MIGHT be ready for the first round but probably going to chill out and be ready for Round 2.

I have something similar to this on my Westfield, it's absolutely spot on and works great: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2Pcs-30-800-Celsius-Degree-Digital-Display-LED-High-Temperature-Thermometer/401500522740?_trkparms=aid%3D555018%26algo%3DPL.SIM%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20131003132420%26meid%3D227a5ed6e98a418a8995824c685fca63%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D12%26mehot%3Dco%26sd%3D163493107193%26itm%3D401500522740%26pmt%3D1%26noa%3D0%26pg%3D2047675&_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851

Cheers Dan, that's handy info! I guess the glass helps with vision too?

Thanks guys! I don't reckon I 1-upped you Flipp, your custom frame was the inspiration to give it a go!

Decided my TIG needed some practice, so built myself a frame... Learned a lot, especially about cup sizes and how to cope with tight areas. Best with sound on so you can hear how lovely and quiet it is Loving singlespeed - it's so... freeing. It's just 'a bike', like being a kid again - "Mum, I'm going out on my bike!" - no shock settings to think about, gears to think about, saddle height to think about. Definitely recommend it

Built myself a frame. Technically not 'big wheels' I guess, but bigger than my mod Best with sound on so you can hear how lovely and quiet it is

Ha, brilliant, that sounds like a lot of fun!

I bought a 1 litre, 5-door, 2001 Nissan Micra for £250, then a week later took it to Oulton Park for a laugh, did 108 miles on track and drove it home again

Yeah, stuck longer forks and shock on my Four, raising the BB and slackening the head angle a bit. Much preferred it!

Mega work Dan, I know how much time and effort has gone into that!

Can you get a blowtorch in there Rowan? Getting the head (or what's left of it) of the bolt cherry red should help a lot (then let it cool down). I've also found a 50:50 mix of acetone and ATF to be even better than PlusGas: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=20131.0 Dan - that is some seriously impressive work, on the collectors especially! Can't wait to see the rest of it. Love that 3D printing can aid with stuff like this. I would get involved but I'm too much of a luddite

Good job man. You see tons of 'professional' stuff a LOT worse than that!

Curborough? https://www.curborough.co.uk/contact/

I thought the same... basically falling off a building and landing like a sack of spuds is in no way a line, or anywhere near as skillful as Dave's!

Awesome stuff Dave. Some serious riding in there! Edit: Bugger. Just went to vote for you and it closed a few hours ago. D'oh!

Gotta be in it to win it I suppose!? Thanks to all those who put the time in to make it happen, good day out.

Also closing in on but not quite 40 yet, and can only echo what's been said above. General health and fitness seems to play a big part for me too, including proper food and working on flexibility. At the moment I'm riding more than I ever have during my 'proper' adult life and the body is holding up just fine so far. Interesting heart rate stats, haven't considered before what effect trials might have on that - quite significant, seemingly!

See you there