'Wheelie Guy' sets a new world record in Oregon

Feat raises $2,000 to help African village get a freshwater well

Chris "Wheelie Guy" Barnett of Salem, Ore., said he had raised $2,000 to help a needy African village obtain a freshwater well. "I can't help to be proud," said his mother, Paula.

Chris "Wheelie Guy" Barnett of Salem, Ore., said he had raised $2,000 to help a needy African village obtain a freshwater well. "I can't help to be proud," said his mother, Paula.

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Chris Barnett, "Wheelie Guy", of Salem, Ore. crushes the world record for longest distance traveling on a bicycle doing a wheelie within an hour, at South Salem High School Saturday, Sept. 29, 2012. He rode 13.65 miles in 51 minutes 27 seconds. (AP Photo/Statesman Journal, Kobbi R. Blair)

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Chris "Wheelie Guy" Barnett of Salem, Ore., set a new record for longest distance traveled on a bicycle while doing a wheelie within an hour. He performed the feat -- 13.65 miles in 51 minutes 27 seconds -- Saturday at South Salem High School.

SALEM, Ore. — "Wheelie Guy" did it.

A spent Chris Barnett, also known as "Wheelie Guy," had few words when he pulled around to the dozens of onlookers who had just witnessed him set a new a world record.

"Need some water," he said.

As he replenished his fluids, a lap tracker advised him of his performance: "13.65 miles."

"That'll do it," Barnett answered.

Shortly after 9 a.m. Saturday Barnett, 23, of West Salem surpassed the previous world record for the longest distance ridden on a bicycle in one hour, all while doing a wheelie.

The cheering dozens who watched the feat at South Salem High School's track couldn't help but to notice the fast pace.

Barnett began his quest at 8:30 a.m. and broke the previous record of 10.5 miles well inside of the allotted hour. Ensuing shouts encouraged him to keep going. At 9:22 a.m., Barnett's momentum finally began to stall and the front tire set down at the northwest corner of the track, ending the effort.

"I definitely felt the adrenalin," Barnett said. "When they showed me the sign showing I had 10 laps to go for the record, that's when it really kicked in. To see everyone out here cheering for me, even in the first few laps, that's when I knew I would do it."

The cheerful lined the south edge of the track. Some were friends and family, some just curious, but all were supportive, erupting with applause each time Barnett cruised by with a smile.

"This is awesome," said Bill Beavert, 56, a neighbor of the Barnett family in West Salem. "I've known Chris for a long time. I've been snowboarding with him. He's friends with my kids from the neighborhood . He's quite an athlete."

Crews marked each lap and kept the times, and a handful of two-wheeled riders took turns keeping pace -- each needing respites during the ride.

"He set a blistering pace," said pace-rider Thomas Richards.

Barnett's ride was more than a record breaker; he's raising money to help a needy African village obtain a freshwater well.

"Got to get a well dug now. That will be nice," said Steve Barnett, Chris's father.

Chris Barnett said he had raised $2,000 for the cause coming into the day; about half of what is needed.

"I can't help to be proud," said Paula Barnett, Chris's mother. "He's been working toward this for more than a year; obsessed really. Maybe a little too obsessed, but it's a good obsession and a good cause."

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