This is one of the best videos I have ever posted and it is about a bicycle. In fact calling this magnificent study in simplicity and mechanical beauty a bicycle is a crying shame, but that’s what it is. Tom Donhou is a builder of very nice custom bicycles in England and because of this he is into all things that exist in that particular realm. He became transfixed with bicycle speed records when he learned of John Howard’s 152.2 MPH land speed record on an open non-streamlined bike. Howard set this record at Bonneville, riding behind a 300mph capable streamliner which was modified with a large structure at the rear to break the air. The streamliner was driven by Rick Vesco. Howard’s attempt was made on a budget of roughly $100,000 according to news reports of the time and was a damned sight more technical than what you’ll see in this video. Howard actually had control of the throttle of the streamliner from his bike and after being released from the back of the lead car at 55mph to pedal the bike on his own, he was able to accelerate the leading streamliner with a remote throttle on his bike while talking to Vesco through a pair of radios. Tom Donhou? They used an old British Ford, plywood, a runway, and screaming. Actually, in one portion of the video, they use an open public highway and Donhou actually out pedals the car and touches the front tire of his bicycle to the rear bumper when his pal misses a shift!

This video is a perfect summation of what land speed racing means to me. It is a craftsman with a singular vision working with other craftsmen (Donhou built the frame but the massive sprocket, wheels and tires came from outside sources) to create what he thinks “should” be fast. Personally, the real beauty here is that he built this bike for himself. While his record served as the inspiration his drive was not to break it, but merely to see how fast HE could go on a machine of HIS creation. I’m not sure how you’ll react to this statement, but that bike is a hot rod in the purest sense of the word.

The editing, cinematography, and storytelling in this film are breathtaking. It is humble, funny, inspiring and it never gets in the way of itself. So often cool shots or editing tricks are slammed into short films like someone in the cutting room had a spasm. This film is pieced together in a surgical manner that simply does not allow you to look away.

You need to watch until the end, mainly because you’ll see how Donhou fairs at his attempt at maximum speed on a long runway with the trusty Ford breaking the wind, but also because you’ll see him put the machine on a pair of stationary rollers and pedal all out to see just how fast he can spin the tire. The results of that will truly blow your mind.

Tom Donhou, you, your spirit, and your bicycle are 100% BangShift Approved!

Press play below to watch Experiments In Speed, the awesome story of Tom Donhou and his bad ass bicycle!

Experiments in Speed from SpindleProductions on Vimeo.