World records are crazy, and humans push not only themselves but also the associated machines to achieve them. Doing precisely that, cyclist Elias Schwärzler recently attempted to breach the 270 km/h (167 mph) mark aboard his cycle in order to set a new Guinness World Record.

Cyclist Reaches 169 MPH To Set New World Record

The record attempt required an empty, traffic-free, and most importantly, smooth stretch of tarmac, so a high-speed race track was the ideal venue. With the location clear, the next big problem was - how the cyclist would reach this speed. Pedaling from zero to speeds of over 270kmph isn’t possible (unless there’s a massive decline) and thus, a tow was necessary.

This is when the team hit up Geri Gesslbauer, a professional motorcycle racer who would tow Elias’ cycle with his Honda CBR1000RR-R.} Finally, the only thing left to do was prep the cycle and get set. Here's a short but well-documented video of the world record for more details:

Top Speed Says

As simple as this looks, towing a cycle with a motorcycle is easier said than done and can pose many challenges. First, the rope needs to be a high-quality one, so it doesn’t snap during the run and destabilize or cause a crash. This becomes even more important at the insane speeds these riders were doing.

Next, there’s the risk of tire failure. Unlike the slicks on the CBR, cycle tires are much slimmer and cannot sustain high speeds for a long time, especially if the ambient temperatures are high. Similarly, there are barely any aerodynamics on a motorcycle that can de-stabilize it, posing the risk of a life-threatening accident.

But Elias’ team ensured everything went smoothly, allowing the rider to complete this run and achieve the world record for the fastest man on a standard bicycle towed by a motorcycle.