As a child of the late 60’s and early 70’s I
idolized Evel Knievel. When I was 2 years old my parents took me to
Las Vegas to watch Evel Knievel jump the fountain at Caesars
Palace. It would change my life. During the crash that would nearly
kill Evel, the motorcycle crashed into the crowd severely injuring
several spectators. One of those spectators was a 2 year old boy
from Half Moon Bay (me). I awoke in a hospital room with Evel
Knievel as a roommate. We spent several months recovering together,
and during this time Evel would teach me the secrets that made him
the world’s greatest daredevil.
Caesars
Palace Jump
After my release from the hospital, my parents bought me a Big
Wheel. The goal was to strengthen my weakened body, but it would
ultimately allow me to fulfill my destiny. Using Evel’s
secrets, I modified my Big Wheel to eliminate drag and improve its
stability during flight. My first achievement was to set the
endurance record for consecutive hours riding a Big Wheel. In 1970,
as a brash young 4 year old, I established the record by peddling
for 12 consecutive hours. A record which still stands today.
Big Wheel
Commercial
I would eventually become known in the neighborhood as Big Wheel
Boy. By the time I was 6 years old my lower legs were freakishly
overdeveloped, I wore red, white, and blue jump suits to school,
and I only spoke of myself in the third person. I was a Stuntman.
At the age of 7, after several accidents, financial failures, and
failed relationships, I would overcome the adversity and crush one
of the most hallowed records in the sport. The date was July 4th,
1974 when I jumped a stack of 4 automobile tires, shattering the
record of a 6 year old Norwegian daredevil who jumped 3 tires in
1973.
In early 1975 my left rear wheel developed a gaping hole when I
braked excessively during an attempt to break the Big Wheel land
speed record of 18 mph. This would be the end of my career as a Big
Wheel Stuntman. I made one attempt at a Big Wheel comeback in 1986,
but it soon become clear to my team that at >200lbs, I would
never be able to reach the maximum allowable Big Wheel weight of 70
lbs. I struggled to find direction through my teenage years, but
would once again taste glory on the moped jumping circuit. In 2007
a movie loosely based on my teenage antics would strike box-office
gold and solidify my place in Stuntman history. See clip below.
Hot
Rod
I never let my early success go to my head. I continue to give
back to the "industry" today by consulting young Big Wheelers, and
by operating a non-profit Big Wheel repair company specializing in
the repair of left rear tire holes. This organization has changed
the lives of countless (4) young Big Wheelers.
You've made it your goal today to grab this cache. You'll need
to ask yourself "Do I have the guts to grab this cache?" Evel never
backed down once he had given his word, even if he knew he was
doomed to fail. You may need to stop and gather what may be your
final thoughts as you stare at the ramp from Canvasback Way. Maybe
you'll make a practice run to the top of the ramp like Evel did at
Caesars Palace? Notice there is no safe landing area, similar to
Evel's attempt at the Snake River. If you look several hundred feet
in the distance you'll see the remains (motorcycle wheel hanging on
a pole) of someone who foolishly made this attempt before you.
You'll have only 450 feet to hit the ramp at the 80 mph necessary
to make the cache grab. Many have flocked to this location to cheer
your bravery.
As a tribute to Evel Knievel, if you were to wear red, white,
and blue during your jump, and post pictures, it would be
appreciated. I realize that some of the pictures may contain
graphic images of cachers flying through the air prior to impact.
Good luck and Godspeed.