Watch: Alaskan cyclist seeks World Record after riding 500 miles backwards
After completing the 500-mile RAGBRAI ride riding backwards, Will Walker wants Guinness World Record status
James Howell-Jones
Junior Writer
Will Walker, a cyclist from Alaska, has ridden 500 miles on his BMX while sitting on the bars and facing backwards. Now, Walker is submitting evidence to Guinness World Records to prove that the ride, which was part of the RAGBRAI rolling cycling festival in Iowa, is a world record.
Talking to local news station KTUU, Walker said: "I'm biking backwards because it's easier. You sit upright and its good for the quads."
He clarified later that he turned his body at his torso, preventing too much strain on his neck.
Fresh off the RAGBRAI course, which Walker completed solely riding backwards, he spoke of the reactions of other cyclists out on the road: "They were like, what are you doing? That's insane, that's nuts, that's mental."
But through the disbelief, came inspiration – Walker says people were motivated to keep up with him on the climbs. As he puts it, "they couldn't let a backwards guy beat them so they kept going".
How did Walker get started riding like this? "I was just sitting with my buddies, I was sitting just like this talking to them and I just decided. What if I can ride like this?" he told KTUU.
A spontaneous challenge among friends has developed into a worldwide identity. Now, he's building a reputation as the backwards BMX rider: "I'm starting to do events and get recognised all over the world for it."
Ultimately, Walker wants to show that it's always worth breaking the mould: "Just go against the odds in life. If I can do it, anyone can do it."
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