Barrington resident will attempt world record BMX trick on Aug. 13

K-Rob prepares to 'Flip Providence'

By Josh Bickford
Posted 7/26/16

 

Kevin Robinson's face lights up when he speaks about Aug. 13.

That is the day the Barrington resident and longtime BMX professional will capture the attention of the extreme sports world …

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Barrington resident will attempt world record BMX trick on Aug. 13

K-Rob prepares to 'Flip Providence'

Posted

Kevin Robinson's face lights up when he speaks about Aug. 13.

That is the day the Barrington resident and longtime BMX professional will capture the attention of the extreme sports world when he tries to set a new world record for longest no-handed back-flip on a bicycle.

That's right. K-Rob, as he is known, will attempt a 100-foot no-handed back-flip on his bike. The trick, and a full day of events that build up it, will take place at Kennedy Plaza in Providence and be broadcast live on ESPN2. 

"I feel like I need a period at the end of my sentence," K-Rob said, referring to his long BMX career. 

The East Providence native has built a legendary career in BMX, and currently works as a motivational speaker and as an analyst for ESPN. He has previously held the world record for highest vertical jump on a bike and has won gold medals at previous X-Games. 

A while back, K-Rob started thinking about bringing an extreme sporting event back to Rhode Island, where the X-Games premiered more than a decade ago. 

"This is something I've wanted to do for about five years," he said. "I kept saying I wanted to do it in Rhode Island. I just wanted to do something for this state — I love this place."

K-Rob plans to put a special twist on the event, he said. Back in 1994, K-Rob had just started to grab the public's attention for his BMX abilities. A newspaper was doing a feature story on him and was shooting a photo of him and another rider in Kennedy Plaza. It just so happened, that K-Rob's dad was working nearby. K-Rob asked his dad to help with the trick — he had him lie down on the asphalt and proceeded to jump his bike over him.

K-Rob said his dad will be back for the Aug. 13 event, this time seated below as his son jumps his bike overhead.

"So, this will be life coming full circle," said K-Rob. "My career has been all about family."

K-Rob, who recently opened a new skate/bike park in East Providence, said he is very excited about the upcoming event and wants people to know that he is confident that he will land the trick. He said he has already completed an 80-foot no-handed back-flip.

"People say that I'm an adrenaline junkie, but that's the furthest thing from the truth," he said. "Everything I do is very calculated. This has been endless hours of planning."

K-Rob said he will be towed into the jump at about 46 miles per hour, then launch off the ramp, complete the no-handed back flip, and then land the bike.

"This doesn't scare me. This isn't 'crazy," he said. "To me, the guy who goes and sits in front of a computer screen for 10 hours a day — that's crazy. That would stress me out. This (BMX riding) is in my DNA. This is what I do."

The Aug. 13 event is open to the public and free — those who donate to the event can qualify as VIP which allows for special perks and select seating. K-Rob said the event is being sponsored by Sam Adams, Dunkin Donuts, University Orthopedics, Ken's Canvas, and the Sports Commission of Rhode Island.

Event details

• What: Barrington resident Kevin Robinson will attempt a world record 100-foot no-handed back-flip on his BMX bike

• Where: Kennedy Plaza, Providence

• When: Saturday, Aug. 13; gates open at 2 p.m., the world record jump is set for 5:30

• Other activities: The event will include BMX demonstrations, live music, karate and gymnastics demonstrations and much moe

• VIP information: Visit www.krobbmx.com

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