Going flat out is what the Prone is all about – and we can prove it. Last year it beat more than 50 competitors to take first and second places in the British Human Power Club championship for unfaired bikes.

The first and only commercially-available prone cycle, the Cool Breeze Prone Low-Profile is a pure speed machine. Its aerodynamics are about as good as they can be for an unfaired machine. Frontal area is minimised and airflow over the body is exceptionally smooth. And with the pedals at the back, the legs don’t churn the air before it flows over the body.

Careful design provides enough support for comfort and stability, without affecting the rider’s breathing. Shoulders and hips rest on specially-shaped adjustable cushions, and hands fall naturally to the handlebar, which is adjustable for reach and angle. Clipless pedals are recommended to keep the feet secure, and there’s plenty of knee clearance.

The Prone’s rear end is narrower than last year’s version, so that the rider’s knees aren’t splayed apart to clear the gears. The rear triangle is heavily ‘dished’, so that the derailleur cassette nestles right inside. The Prone 3 uses carbon-fibre wheels back and front, designed and made by Cool Breeze.

The frame is built from thin-gauge Reynolds 853 tubing. The standard size fits riders over 5’ 8" (173cm) tall, but smaller folk can have a bike made to order. The front wheel can be either 20" (406) for ground-hugging speed and efficiency, or 24" (507) for a more open position that some find more comfortable. The rear wheel is the 700C racing size. There’s a choice of components, and finished machines typically weigh approximately 11kg.

A test ride is strongly recommended to overcome any preconceptions about this unusual but wickedly fast machine. With your head out in front and close to the ground, riding the Prone is pure exhilaration – the nearest thing to flying on two wheels!