Circus Performer's Nail-Biting Stunt

Nik Wallenda is no stranger to nail-biting stunts. Born into the circus family, the Flying Wallendas, he has grown up watching his father, grandfather and even great-grandfather performing some hair-raising stunts. However, what Nik did on Tuesday, had everyone crossing his or her fingers.

In front of a live audience of 400 and thousands more watching on television, Nik rode his bicycle for a distance of 235 ft, balanced atop a wire as thick as a cigar, 128 ft above the ground - setting a new record for the longest distance crossed on a tight-rope by a bicycle.

The wire was suspended between two cranes at the Prudential Center Arena in Newark, New Jersey. Nik rode a normal bicycle, with no tires, so that the rim of the wheel could grip on to the rope.

Wearing special shoes made by his mother, he kept his balance by holding on to a 45-pound pole. His father, who has done similar stunts in his youth, spent the entire time encouraging and advising his son through an earphone, and making sure the tension on the wire was at the appropriate level.

While Nik made it look relatively easy, he later said that there were a couple of 'Oh Oh' moments during his quest. For one, the brackets securing the stabilizers of his wire were so thick, that he felt like he was riding over speed bumps - not fun when one is suspended so high in the air. And then, just when he thought he was done, his back wheel almost slipped off the wire. However, Nick remained calm and managed to get across unscathed.

Nik, who works for the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus, had always wanted to do this and timed it with their first appearance in the City of New Jersey in 52 years. Jubilant at having fulfilled his life-long dream, Nik is already planning his next high-wire act - Walking over the Grand Canyon!

Be sure to watch the video below - It will definitely have you at the edge of your seat.

Source:Worldrecordsacademy.org, Dailymail.co.uk