Gates Carbon Drive System Powers Record-Setting Around-the-World Bike Odyssey

Oct. 23, 2009 - PRLog -- The Gates Carbon Drive™ System has proven itself to be the most durable, reliable and hassle-free drivetrain available following a record-setting 176-day bike trip around the world. James Bowthorpe began his 18,062-mile journey in London on March 29 to raise money for Parkinson’s research.  Bowthorpe, who finished his journey on September 19th, chose the Carbon Drive System due to its reliability and ease of maintenance, knowing the trip would require him to be self sufficient and average more than 100-miles per-day.

“Gates Carbon Drive made it possible for me to live my dream and pedal around the
world faster than anyone has before,” says Bowthorpe, whose grandfather suffered from
Parkinson’s. “I never had to worry about stopping to clean and lube a chain, so I could
focus on riding.”

Bowthorpe pedaled through mud, rain, dust and snow, powered over mountains and through windblown deserts while conquering every adverse weather and terrain condition imaginable during his slog through France, Belgium, Holland, Germany, Poland, Ukraine, Romania, Bulgaria, Turkey, Iran, Pakistan, India, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, the United States, Canada, Portugal and Spain. Thanks to his Carbon Drive equipped bicycle, he set a new record for fastest around-the-world bike trip and earned nearly $100,000 for Parkinson’s research.

“We are proud to be part of this amazing trip, which shows the awesome power of the
Carbon Drive System to help James literally conquer the world,” says Greg Vigil, Director of Industrial Business Development at Gates. “This clearly confirms what a growing number of cyclists and manufacturers are learning: Gates Carbon Drive System offers superior performance.”

The popularity of Carbon Drive comes as ultra-distance cyclists, commuters, fixed-gear
riders and everyday consumers demand a lighter, stronger, no-maintenance drivetrain
that beats traditional chain drives, which stretch, snap and require tedious and time consuming maintenance. From industry leading manufacturers to boutique brands, the
bicycle industry has answered this demand by equipping an ever-increasing number of
models with the Gates Carbon Drive System. Bicycles featuring the Carbon Drive can
be seen at www.carbondrivesystems.com and through bicycle retailers nationwide.
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The Carbon Drive System is an innovation of Gates Corporation, the world’s leading manufacturer of belt drive systems. For over 100 years, Gates has developed breakthrough products for industry leading customers in the United States and around the globe. The company’s dedication to advancing the science of motion performance is showcased in power transmission solutions such as the Carbon Drive System.