A CAVERSHAM man is officially the fastest man in Britain after peddling into the record books.

Ken Buckley has the holder of British record for the fastest human powered land speed record after clocking up 75.03 mph in a capsule bike - smashing the 13 year old record by more than eight seconds.

The 29-year-old and a team of engineers from the University of Liverpool were in the Nevada Desert in the US at an annual event at the end of September to set the challenging record.

It was the first time Mr Buckley and the team including David Kirk have taken part in the international event where countries attempt to become the fastest.

During this year's event the Canadian team took the World Record of 86mph.

An extremely pleased and proud Mr Buckley, a cycling trainer, said: "To get this on our first year and the Canadian's have been doing it for six years.

"The road in Nevada is the longest, flattest road in the world and we cover five miles in around six minutes to getup enough speed.

"Only the last 200 metres are timed.

"It's definitely a race where experience and knowledge of the road counts."

  • Watch part of the humna powered land speed record

"I was part of the GB rowing programme and compete in cycling so I am built for it. And all the team needs someone who can put power into the pedals. All the aerodynamics are taken care of by the team as I am in a shell - a very cramped and claustrophobic shell."

During one of the attempts Mr Buckley's machine was caught by a gust of wind which saw him dramatically crash out at speeds twice that of Tour de France athletes.

He said: "It is scary. It is not very stable and there is now windscreen, just a GoPro on top and a monitor six inches from my face to see where I am going."

Now the former Green Park IT worker is now the proud owner of a hat given to those people who have gone above 75mph - only one of 15 in the world.

He added: "We will be going back next year with the ultimate goal of getting the world record but if that doesn't happen, to go over 80mph and I'll be happy with that.

"This year was the Arion1 and the team have gone back to university and will be making improvements and we will be going back with Arion2."