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Stuntman puts his life on the line for world record
AS WORLD speed record attempts go, it's one of the more unlikely.
That's because Yorkshire stuntman Rob Jarman won't be behind the controls of a high-powered car, superbike or speedboat.
Instead, Rob, of Harrogate, will be pushing the pedals of a FOLDING BICYCLE.
Incredibly, the 26-year-old hopes to build his bike up to the British speed limit of 70mph.
He claims to have already taken the Mezzo commuter bike to speeds of 50mph and over on training runs.
Rob, of Mount Street, said he may be putting his life on the line through the record attempt.
He was forced to use his skills as a stuntman to stay on two wheels when his rear tyre blew at 45mph while training in the Lake District.
He said: "I managed to stay upright – just. But it was a close thing. If I had come off at that speed it could have killed me.
"Although I wear a skin suit and an aero dynamic helmet, they give me very little protection when you consider you can lose an inch of skin per second if you go down on dry tarmac."
Rob, who specialises in stunts involving two-wheel transport, has worked extensively on TV and in the movies.
His small screen credits include top Yorkshire soap Emmerdale, and hit David Jason series Diamond Geezer.
He said the main difference between his Mezzo bike and the version available in the shops is that his boasts a larger toothed chain ring for better gearing.
"That helps take me to the higher speeds," he said. "I am testing tyre pressures and waiting for a steering damper to be fitted to the bike before I make the attempt. We are in negotiations with the Guinness Book of Records about validating it."
Mezzo brand manager Kevin Izzard said: "For a 16 inch-wheel bike this is a terrific speed to reach – and anyone that uses a folding bike will appreciate that.
"Rob says he can go twenty miles an hour faster than his top speed so far and I for one wouldn't bet against him."
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Saturday 04 February 2012
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