One man. One pair of legs. One goal: Speed.
At the time of making the programme, the current world speed record for a human-powered vehicle was 80.5 mph (117 km/h), set by Canadian athlete Sam Whittingham.
Adam's challenge: to beat it.
But can Adam's fitness level compare with a world athlete? Is his beloved bicycle aerodynamic enough, or does he need a special contraption to help him achieve those ludicrous speeds?
If he stores expended energy over a period of time and releases it explosively will this propel him into the record books?
First broadcast: Friday 2 Nov 2001 on BBC TWO
Science Shack in more depth:
OU on the BBC: Science Shack - Can I make myself invisible?
BBC
Adam Hart-Davis asks whether you can make yourself invisible in the BBC/OU's Science Shack series. Read more : OU on the BBC: Science Shack - Can I make myself invisible?
OU on the BBC: Science Shack - Can you fly like a bird?
BBC
Adam Hart-Davis and the team investigate how high you can jump, as part of the BBC/OU's Science Shack series. Read more : OU on the BBC: Science Shack - Can you fly like a bird?
OU on the BBC: Science Shack - Can you live underwater?
BBC
Summary for the 'Can You Live Underwater?' programme, part of the BBC/OU's Science Shack series. Read more : OU on the BBC: Science Shack - Can you live underwater?
OU on the BBC: Science Shack - Can you walk on water?
BBC
Adam Hart-Davis and the team investigate whether it's possible to walk on water, as part of the BBC/OU's Science Shack series. Read more : OU on the BBC: Science Shack - Can you walk on water?
OU on the BBC: Science Shack - How can I survive a lightning strike?
BBC
Adam Hart-Davis and the team take on the elements, as part of the BBC/OU's Science Shack series. Read more : OU on the BBC: Science Shack - How can I survive a lightning strike?
OU on the BBC: Science Shack - How do flies walk on ceilings?
Production team
Adam Hart-Davis and the team investigate how a fly walks, as part of the BBC/OU's Science Shack series. Read more : OU on the BBC: Science Shack - How do flies walk on ceilings?
OU on the BBC: Science Shack - How high can you jump?
Production team
Adam Hart-Davis and the team investigate whether you can fly like a bird, as part of the BBC/OU's Science Shack series. Read more : OU on the BBC: Science Shack - How high can you jump?
OU on the BBC: Science Shack - How tall can you make a building?
Production team
Adam Hart-Davis and the team investigate how tall they can make a building, as part of the BBC/OU's Science Shack series. Read more : OU on the BBC: Science Shack - How tall can you make a building?
OU on the BBC: Science Shack - Second series
Production team
More seemingly impossible challenges are put to the scientific test as the Science Shack team return for a second series. Read more : OU on the BBC: Science Shack - Second series
OU on the BBC: Science Shack - What will we do when the oil runs out?
The Open University
North Sea oil will probably run out around 2040 - then what? With no oil derived plastics and no constant source of energy how will... Read more : OU on the BBC: Science Shack - What will we do when the oil runs out?
OU on the BBC: Science Shack - What's the biggest thing that can fly?
Production team
Adam Hart-Davis and the team investigate the science that keeps things aloft. A brief guide to a visit to the Science Shack. Read more : OU on the BBC: Science Shack - What's the biggest thing that can fly?
OU on the BBC: Science Shack - Why did the Millennium Bridge wobble?
BBC
Adam Hart-Davis and the team investigate the cause of the Millenium Bridge wobble, as part of the BBC/OU's Science Shack series. Read more : OU on the BBC: Science Shack - Why did the Millennium Bridge wobble?
OU on the BBC: Science Shack - Welcome from Adam
Production team
What's Science Shack all about anyway? Adam Hart-Davis gives us the low down on the series in his personal welcome. Read more : OU on the BBC: Science Shack - Welcome from Adam
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