Man Versus Machine

   With the Tour underway, how about a post on the Alp d'Huez? Over on Drive.com, they are answering the important questions: Who is faster coming down the Alp d'Huez, a motorcycle or a bicycle?

   The motorcycle rider,  Warren Pole, will be piloting a YZF-R1. The R1 is one of the fastest production bikes out there; 1000cc, 128 horsepower, 450 lbs

  The cyclist, Howie Sylvester can be found on a Serotta HSG Supercomp. Not what I would have chosen, but I'm guessing it was more important what Mr. Sylvester was comfortable on.

   Here are a couple comparison shots of each rider coming down.

Cornering skills

Leaning in!

Course facts:

• 21 corners
• Average gradient of 8.1%
• Maximum gradient of 13%
• 6,102 foot drop over 8.6 miles

Results!

• R1: 10 minutes, 44 seconds
• Serotta: 11 minutes, 12 seconds

   Well I guess that answers that! Within 30 seconds of each other, that's pretty close. You can read the  see more images form the article here. Since it was done by drive.com, I demand a version that was done by bicycling.com. My other gripes include:

• The high performance and specialized R1 should be racing a gravity bike
• A road bike is more similar to a BMW GS and should have raced that
• The motorcycle should have been limited to accelerating to the bike escape velocity (can't gas it after about 40 mph, must coast)
• This competition was rigged
• The motorcycle rider was doping
• The cyclist was distracted
• The promoters were paid off
• Some other made up bullshit
• etc
• etc

   Whatever, drive.com, whatever.

sauce