Blake Becker of Helena hit the water of Canyon Ferry Lake recently on a modified motorcycle at 40 miles per hour – and kept going for 17 miles, breaking the record of a freestyle motor-cross legend.
He told MTN News that got the idea to ride a dirt bike across a lake from a YouTube video of Australian motocross legend Robbie Maddison.
“I thought it was the craziest thing I’d ever seen,” said Becker.
Maddison rode 15 miles across the water in Tahiti last year, and Becker decided to break his record.
“So I bought a bigger bike and outfitted it to ride on water,” said Becker.
Becker rode for 17 miles, and it was a thrilling ride.
“The transition period from land to water happens so fast. In literally the blink of an eye you’re in the middle of the lake already,” said Becker.
He explained, “At about 40 miles per hour I closed down the throttle to about 75 percent throttle to save some fuel, which gave me a final cruising speed of 30 miles per hour. After I got past White Earth campground I knew I’d broken the record,” said Becker.
Trying to make it to shore, Becker says there was no time for fear.
“You can’t get scared or worried at all. You just have to have faith that it’ll work,” said Becker.
He continued, “When I realized I started to lose momentum I started to make my way to the shore line.”
Becker, 19 years old, beat Maddison’s record by two miles, and is now challenging the motor-crosser to a race here in Montana.
“I guess this is an official call out of Robbie Maddison to race me here in Helena, Montana,” said Becker.
Becker is using the hashtag #BlakeVsRobbie on social media so people can share this story and help spread the word to Maddison.
