What IS that thing?

It’s called a velomobile.  This is a T1 Glyde the prototype for the Glyde velomobiles made in Australia by Greenspeed.  It is the only T1 Glyde ever made.  This is a recumbent tricycle with an aerodynamic shell of fiberglass.  I purchased it in Stevens Pointe Wisconsin at The Hostel Shoppe who acquired it at the 2008 InterBike show in Los Angeles where it was being shown to demonstrate Greenspeed’s  concept for a velomobile.  It has 81 speeds (3 on the crank, 9 on the cassette, and three through the rear hub).  Cruising speed is about 25-30mph, but with frequent starts and stops in Naperville I’m usually travelling at 15-25mph.  The maximum speed on level ground is 40mph. It was purchased for winter biking to the office as it gets quite warm inside and it protects me from the elements. I hope I have answered all your questions, if not send me an e-mail at doctor@drpardon.com.