People / Spotlight on achievers

Kurt Osburn fulfilled a boyhood dream on his 27th birthday.

Looking a little like basketball star Dennis Rodman--with his hair dyed red, white and blue--the Fullerton resident held a wheelie on his bicycle for five hours, 47 minutes and 12 seconds, a feat he hopes will land him a spot in the “Guinness Book of Records.”

“Ever since I was a little kid I wanted to be in the Guinness book,” he said.

Three years ago, Osburn failed in his first attempt to have his name go down in history as the best wheelie rider in the world.

That time, he rode on one wheel for five hours, 21 minutes and 30 seconds. Though that beat the old record by nearly 10 minutes, it was rejected by Guinness because officials said he did not have proper witnesses.

The “record that got away” has nagged at him ever since.

This time Osburn gathered witnesses, including one with a video camera and another with a notebook to keep a written record of the event.

To ensure that he was in top condition and would be able to hold his wheelie nearly six hours, Osburn quit his job six months ago to train full-time.

Every day, Osburn said, he rode his bike for several hours, practiced martial arts and lifted weights.

Osburn is now awaiting final approval from Guinness officials to find out whether he will be accepted into the records book for his Aug. 6 feat.