Hakuba, Japan — Japanese mountain bike trials rider Tomomi Nishikubo has set two Guinness World Records after successfully descending a 37.5-degree Olympic ski jumping hill in Hakuba, Japan while performing a fakie nose manual (riding a backwards nose wheelie).
Nishikubo achieved both the steepest bicycle fakie nose manual at 37.5 degrees and the longest distance traveled in the maneuver on a ski jumping hill, covering 448 feet. During the descent, he exceeded speeds of 37.2 mph and maintained precise front-wheel balance for 35 seconds.
The feat marks a significant progression in trials riding, pushing the boundaries of technical control and balance under extreme conditions.
The 34-year-old rider spent more than two years planning and preparing for the attempt. Inspired by ski jumper Ryōyū Kobayashi’s record-setting jump in Iceland, Nishikubo identified Hakuba as the ideal location and began scouting the site in August 2024.
An initial attempt in 2025 proved unsuccessful after 35 runs, prompting Nishikubo to reassess his approach. He determined that improving tire grip and refining braking control would be critical to completing the descent.
To address these challenges, Nishikubo constructed a 10-meter practice ramp replicating the slope’s gradient and tested multiple tire configurations. He ultimately modified 24-inch tires with custom metal studs to increase traction on the ski jump surface.
Returning to Hakuba for a second attempt, Nishikubo encountered further technical issues. Excessive braking force caused overheating, destroying 10 spare brake rotors over two days. On the third day, he switched from resin to metal brake pads, resolving the overheating problem and enabling a successful run.
The record-breaking descent was completed more than two years after the concept was first envisioned, culminating in a landmark achievement in mountain bike trials. Congratulations to Tomomi, here is another clip of his backwards riding excellence:
