Atlas Armada DC

September 17, 2012 10:58 AM

Atlas Armada DC
For two successive years now, a crew featuring a few MeFites has fielded a human-powered parade float/kinetic sculpture on the trolley tracks at the H Street Festival in Washington, DC.

This year we were the Corruption Fish. Pedal power from the drive trains of two bicycles goes to car rim cut to fit the trolley track grooves. Here's a video from this year, with plenty more photos in the links above.

For those in the area, we are looking to add more floats next year.

Role: float builder

posted by exogenous (3 comments total)

We've learned a great deal, and would be beyond happy to share our knowledge. It really is great fun, and the crowd absolutely loves it.
posted by MrMoonPie at 11:28 AM on September 17, 2012

Wow that thing is awesome! It looks as though it would be a very hot job in the belly of that fish and working on those pedals. Was it hard? How long were shifts?

Good art!
posted by carsonb at 2:25 PM on September 17, 2012

Actually carsonb, it is surprisingly easy to pedal. The mechanical advantage of trolley rails and aluminum car rims makes it possible to move the vehicle forward with just one hand on the pedals. The dual bicycle drive trains are almost overkill. What we really need to add is a braking mechanism. All told, the rig weighs well over 2200 lbs, and we never really get going more than one or two miles an hour. But woah, you would not want to get run over by it!
posted by piedrasyluz at 9:00 AM on September 18, 2012