Bob Gill in his jumping days

Bob Gill is a former world-record holding [1] motorcycle stuntman. He was one of the few jumpers to disdain the use of a landing ramp. His career was cut short in 1974 when he landed short on a world-record attempt to jump the 200-foot wide Appalachia Lake in Bruceton Mills, West Virginia. A 125 cc motorcycle, the Italian-manufactured Cagiva Planet. ... Stuntman refers to any of several types of skilled performers. ... 1974 (MCMLXXIV) was a common year starting on Tuesday. ... Bruceton Mills is a town located in Preston County, West Virginia. ... Official language(s) English Capital Charleston Largest city Charleston Area  Ranked 41st  - Total 24,244 sq mi (62,809 km²)  - Width 130 miles (210 km)  - Length 240 miles (385 km)  - % water 0. ...

Racer to Jumper

Bob began as a motorcycle racer in 1962. Unsatisfied with the money he was making as a racer, he switched to jumping full-time in 1970. After several long jumps, including one over the Cajun Canyon in Louisiana, he jumped over a set of Ryder trucks on May 10, 1973. The jump was filmed for a television commercial that was aired during Super Bowl VIII [2]. 1962 (MCMLXII) was a common year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1962 calendar). ... 1970 (MCMLXX) was a common year starting on Thursday (the link is to a full 1970 calendar). ... Official language(s) English and French Capital Baton Rouge Largest city New Orleans at last census; probably Baton Rouge since Hurricane Katrina Area  Ranked 31st  - Total 51,885 sq mi (134,382 km²)  - Width 130 miles (210 km)  - Length 379 miles (610 km)  - % water 16  - Latitude 29°N to 33... Ryder NYSE: R is a popular truck rental and leasing company for companies distribution and supply chain efforts. ... May 10 is the 130th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (131st in leap years). ... 1973 (MCMLXXIII) was a common year starting on Monday. ... Date January 13, 1974 Stadium Rice Stadium City Houston, Texas MVP Larry Csonka, Running back Favorite Dolphins by 7 National Anthem Charley Pride Coin toss Game referee Halftime show University of Texas at Austin Band Attendance 71,882 TV in the United States Network CBS Announcers Ray Scott, Pat Summerall...

World Record

On July 17, 1973, Bob set a world record jump of 171 feet when he jumped over 22 cars with no landing ramp at Seattle International Raceway [3] in Kent, WA. July 17 is the 198th day (199th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar, with 167 days remaining. ... 1973 (MCMLXXIII) was a common year starting on Monday. ... Kent is a city located in King County, Washington. ...

Appalachia Lake

On August 18, 1974, Bob was scheduled to attempt a world record jump over the 200-foot-wide Appalachia Lake in Bruceton Mills, WV. Heavy rains in the area forced the postponement of the jump to August 25. August 18 is the 230th day of the year (231st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1974 (MCMLXXIV) was a common year starting on Tuesday. ... August 25 is the 237th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (238th in leap years), with 128 days remaining. ...

The jump was performed without the aid of a landing ramp. He landed three feet short on the embankment of the far side of the lake. Thrown from the bike, he suffered severe spinal cord injuries that left him permanently paralyzed. UPDATE: Bob will be going to France in October for a special proceedure to walk again called Laser Punture. He has a good chance of full recovery. [4].

Today

Bob resides in St. Petersburg, Florida. Aerial photograph of St. ...

Sources

• Morgantown, WV Dominion-Post, August 19, 1974

Morgantown is a city located in Monongalia County, West Virginia on the banks of the Monongahela River. ... The Dominion Post is the only commercial daily newspaper in Morgantown, West Virginia. ...

External links

• Bob Gill's page at cyclejumpers.com
• Bob Gill's Ryder commercial from 1973
• photos of the jump and crash at Appalachia Lake
• Bob Gill Walks Again. A spinal-cord injury fund.