Dougie Lampkin Wheelies His Way Across Isle Of Man TT, Sets New Record

We had the chance to speak to the legend earlier this year at the 2016 India Bike Week. Read the complete interview here.

He not only started off a little fast, but also had to struggle with the wind, especially around the infamous mountain section, where Lampkin fought gusts of 64.3Km/h. Speaking about the attempt, Lampkin said, "Up to ten times I came close to dropping and I thought I'd lost it twice. When you've lost your balance and your right leg comes off, you're in massive trouble. I couldn't rely on the rear brake at that speed."

Dougie Lampkin with his Factory Vertigo trial bike

Attempting to wheelie one's way across the Isle of Man TT is no easy task and obviously takes strenuous preparation. Lampkin remarked that it is hard on the feet, ankles, knees, shoulders, and neck. He explained, "It's not really pinpointed in certain areas, it seems to be a little bit of everything, because I'm in quite a tense position the whole time. I'm steering with my legs, and using my right foot for the brake and right hand for the brake. Then when I turn I'm hanging the bike on my shoulders a little bit. So everything is getting a bit of a workout. It's physical everywhere and also mentally difficult, because of the time scale and the fact that there's so much going on around me, from people shouting to people overtaking and beeping horns."

Summing up the incredible effort, he said, "I feel absolute massive relief. The build up to it, seven months of planning, everything that's gone on like the nightmare with the weather yesterday and still strong winds today on top of the mountain, I was just hanging on really. It wasn't over until a couple of metres from the end but that last couple of metres was just amazing."