Daredevil Motorcycle Stunt Riders Did THIS Over 300 Times - the Original Georgia Traveler WSB-TV

These two daredevil motorcycle stunt riders did this over 300 times. Gary Davis and Rex Blackwell were the Flying Cycles. They specialized in the double-motorcycle jump … jumping cars simultaneously from different directions. In 1972 they made the world's first double-motorcycle jump and set a new distance record of 138 feet three inches, shattering Evel Knievel’s longest jump of 93 feet. That was just the beginning. Just two months later they were at Beech Bend Raceway in Bowling Green Kentucky. The two popped wheelies and kept the crowd entertained while the double ramps were put in place. Rex and Gary took their positions and at the signal gunned it towards their take-off ramps. For a second it looked like they might hit each other in mid-flight until they landed on the opposite ramps. Boys and Girls, it was amazing. Their goal was 107 feet. They jumped for 136 feet four inches.
THE REST OF THE STORY
During the early 1970s the Flying Cycles performed over 300 jumps at fairs and drag races across the country. Every one was over 100 feet and they never crashed. Finally, they got tired of all the traveling and broke up the act. Then things got really cool. Gary Davis and Rex Blackwell went on to be two of the top stunt riders and coordinators in Hollywood. Along the way they kept making record-setting jumps. There’s a lot more to this story than I can put here. The Flying Cycles live on. This story aired on WLAC-TV Channel 5 Eyewitness News in 1972.
The Traveler Series started as the Tennessee Traveler at WLAC-TV in Nashville. It’s now WTVF. They told me to explore, talk with people and bring their stories back. This started ten years of roaming the country meeting the most amazing people. My sincere thanks to news director and anchor Chris Clark for giving me the best job in television.
If you want to see more stories like this, check out:
‪@georgiatraveler‬
Long before CNN and Fox News the Traveler series with Andy Johnston was an Emmy award winning program that showcased amazing people, unusual things, local legends, food finds, outdoor activities, folk art, and family fun. In 2022 the Walter J. Brown Media Archives at the University of Georgia founded The Original Georgia Traveler -- Andy Johnston Collection to preserve and maintain the stories.
This story is presented for educational and preservation purposes and is covered under Fair Use. At the time it was broadcast the television station had a blanket music license with ASCAP, BMI and SESAC. The station maintains that license today. All music used is covered under that agreement.
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[@Quiksilversurf311]

Another fantastic upload Andy, thank you! It’s so nice being able to watch all of these in the current day as I was not born until 1992. I live in the mountains of western North Carolina and almost all of your videos hit home. I also love the 1970’s era and wish I could have been around for it!

[@wolfgangzrx]

I love those first year SL350's! So cool!

[@outoforder2162]

Thanks for this!

[@georgiatraveler]

My pleasure. Check out the new one tomorrow.

[@olskool3967]

wow! thank you for what you did and what you do putting these films up Andy!

[@georgiatraveler]

This one surprised me. I had forgotten about it until I saw it. I did it before I officially became the Tennessee Traveler. That's why I'm using my official anchorman voice.