Allan Lear Guinness World Record Attempt - Coast to Birdsville in 1 Week

2011 again sees Hahn Environmental recognised, reaching the finals of both the Environmental Industries and Innovation Categories in the Sunshine Coast Excellence in Business Awards. 

Allan Lear, CEO of Hahn Environmental Services has broken the Guinness World Record by peddling over 1600 kilometres on an electric bicycle to Birdsville in far western Queensland.



Mr Lear and his support team set out from his offices at Landsborough on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland on Thursday 25th August. His record attempt set by Guinness officials required a minimum of 1200 kilometres be travelled during a 7 day continuous timeframe. By reaching Birdsville within the time limit, Allan has exceeded the distance by 429 kilometres achieving a total of 1629 kilometres. The official record will be the Longest Distance Travelled by Electric Bicycle in 1 Week, and will be verified by Guinness officials in the UK in coming weeks by submission of evidence and records taken en route.

Mr Lear’s custom built electric bike offered 200 watts of power and ran an average of 80 kilometers a battery. With solid peddling and a tail wind, Mr Lear could reach speeds of over 40 kilometres an hour. Bike batteries were quickly interchanged on the road side, having been recharged en-route by a specially converted Mini Cooper designed to harness wind power via two roof-mounted wind turbines. Reports Mr Lear “The wind turbines charged everything including the bike batteries, our CB radios, even our mobile phones. It was a very efficient system, and the mini certainly brought us a lot of attention along the way.” Says Mr Lear of his adventure “It was the opportunity of a lifetime, but I’m sore in places I didn’t even know existed. We travelled some very rough terrain and had our share of challenges with flat tyres, bad weather, road trains, wild animals and met some interesting characters along the way. The last few days were really tough. I’ve swallowed that much hot red dust, and the team’s food rations were running low so we were living on 2 minute noodles and canned Tuna as we camped in our swags on the roadside. Our last creek crossing before reaching Birdsville nearly ended the mini, slashing two of its tyres on the sharp creek rocks. We had to be a little inventive in our patch job, but it was enough to get us to Birdsville. We’ve arrived now, I’ve broken the record, and it’s time to relax and enjoy the famous Birdsville Races for a few days before heading home. I’ve now set the challenge to my two boys when they’re old enough to break their Dad’s record!”

As CEO of Hahn Environmental Services, an environmental based organisation focussed on alternative fuels and promoting alternative transport, Mr Lear hopes to promote the use of alternative transport to lessen our reliance on traditional fossil fuels. Funds raised through local promotions and donations will be used by environmental charity Greenfleet to plant 1000 trees to further offset vehicle carbon emissions. Donations can be made at www.everydayhero.com.au/hahn_environmental

Hahn Environmental Services Pty Ltd is an industry leader in waste to energy conversion of regulated waste fostering low carbon footprints and full cycle sustainable management. Hahn Environmental is the largest producer of biodiesel in Queensland, and is working with coal mines and the CSG industry on waste to energy conversion technology.

To view further information on the Guinness Record Trip and Allan Lear's Video Blogs - click here.

Hahn Environmental Services BDM Steven Clifford-Ames attended this week's Queensland Gas Conference & Exhibition in Brisbane to focus his energies on waste recovery opportunities in the CSG industry.