Ava McDonnell
Mark your calendars because a new attraction is coming to the Orlando area. Red Bull’s Tandem Rollercoaster is set to take over Cranes Roost Park in Altamonte Springs on Saturday, September 27. The event, previously popular in Europe, is a test of creativity, engineering, teamwork, and a bit of luck.
Fitting into Orlando’s theme park scene, Red Bull is challenging teams of two to design and build their own non-motorized tandem bike frame. These creations will then have to navigate a water obstacle course, with the goal of making it to the finish line without wiping out.
The application period for teams closes on August 15. There will be 40 selected teams announced on August 25, giving participants around five weeks to prepare. Each team will be judged on a combination of their race time, originality of their bike, and their overall performance.
While the event is a fun-filled day for viewers, the competitors must adhere to Red Bull’s rules. The key rules for building these contraptions include:
- Human Powered Only: The bikes must be powered by human force and gravity alone. No motors or external power sources.
- Size and Weight: Bikes cannot exceed a maximum of four feet wide, ten feet long, and seven feet high. They must also be at least nine inches from the ground and have a maximum weight 176 lbs (not including riders).
- Safety: All bikes must have fully functional brakes and steering working independently.
- Eco-Friendly Materials: All bikes must be constructed from eco-friendly and non-toxic materials as determined by Red Bull.
For the rest of us, the fun continues! The event is completely free and open to the public. From noon to 3 p.m., spectators can gather to cheer on teams as they face the challenging course. If you’re interested, simply show up and be prepared for an exciting show.
Check out Red Bull’s website for spectator and participant information.
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