Popping a wheelie is a tall task for most, but Andover’s Garth Lockhart made look easy for a staggering fourteen miles. With support and cheers from the Andover community, Lockhart broke the Guinness World Record for the longest bicycle wheelie on September 12. He traveled the fourteen miles in one hour to shatter the preexisting world record by six miles. Lockhart said, “I felt great when I broke the world record, but it wasn’t as exciting as when Andover students cheered me on in the streets when I first started popping wheelies. After all, the world record is just recognition on a piece of paper, and it would have had no meaning without the support from the students who always cheer me on.” Lockhart said he would not have set the world record without encouragement from kids in the Andover community. “The kids are the ones who have kept me going and this is why I feel like I owe so much to the community. The fact that I can make students happy with my wheelies makes me happy, and I want to continue to put smiles on their faces,” said Lockhart. Lockhart said that his obsession with wheelies began after he had a profound dream in which he biked continuously on a wheelie. “When the dream was over, I was angry and frustrated that I couldn’t pop a wheelie in reality. After I had this dream, I practiced everyday and taught myself how to wheelie,” he said. “When I first taught myself how to wheelie, I could only do it for a few seconds, and I never really imagined that I would be biking miles after miles on a wheelie.” “What got me started with long-distance wheelies was the cheers and support from the students at Andover, who would always ask me how far I could go on while popping wheelies,” he said. “This is when I thought to myself that maybe I should actually see how far I could go. So I practiced everyday and before I knew it I was cruising through the streets at twenty to thirty miles per hour.” Biking has been Lockhart’s favorite pastime since his childhood in Dominica, but Lockhart said that he began biking long-distance wheelies only after he moved to Andover. “When I am doing wheelies, I always have a feeling of mutuality with nature as I try to be in harmony with the wind, the bike, and wherever my surroundings may be.” “As the wind pushes me, I push back, and when I achieve this balance, it feels like I am floating in the air, a feeling that is so fun and addictive,” said Lockhart. “When I am doing wheelies, I always have a feeling of mutuality with nature as I try to be in harmony with the wind, the bike, and wherever my surroundings may be.” “As the wind pushes me, I push back, and when I achieve this balance, it feels like I am floating in the air, a feeling that is so fun and addictive,” said Lockhart. “Popping wheelie was once just a dream for me but I was able to make it into reality. I am a very spiritual person and I think doing wheelies is my purpose in life that God has given me.” “I hope to use this special talent that I have to bring people together, spread love, and encourage people to look for their purpose in life as well,” he continued. Lockhart said that he wants to continue to bike wheelies around Andover and try to break his own records. He said, “At this point it’s a battle against myself because I am breaking my own records and I just want to further challenge myself.” While biking may be Lockhart’s biggest passion, Lockhart also enjoys other activities when he is not on his bike. “I really love listening to music, especially Reggae. I grew up in Dominica with Reggae music everywhere, and the messages in Reggae music have influenced me to spread love and joy to other people. Reggae music is something that energizes me and keeps me going every day,” said Lockhart. Lockhart moved from Dominica to the United States in 2003. He spent several years in New Hampshire before he moved to Andover last winter. Lockhart’s future plans include participating in obstacle and X-Games biking competitions and expanding the charity clothing line that he recently launched. He also wishes to build a house in Andover with a biking track around it. “Just like my career as ‘wheelie man’ began without my knowing, I am sure that the wheelies will take me somewhere. But one thing I know for sure is that I will wheelie my way into heaven,” said Lockhart¬¬ with a friendly smile.
