Video: Cuban cyclist going for ‘highest bike’ record has attempt halted by police

A Cuban cyclist’s attempt to ride the world’s tallest bike was brought to a halt by police because he didn’t have the necessary permission. Felix Guirola was looking to get into the Guinness Book of World Records by riding a 7.5-metre high bike in Havana.

Guirola has ridden tall bikes for a number of years. “I started soldering one bike frame atop of another bike frame, and so on,” he told the Miami Herald. “It became something of a festive occasion at every town carnival and cultural event in my native province of Ciego de Ávila.”

Reuters reports that last year he was hired by Dutch energy drink Time Flies to advertise their product on the side of his bike ahead of a Rolling Stones concert.

According to the Guinness website, the current record for the tallest rideable bike is "Stoopidtaller" at 6.15m.

Guirola said: "In 1987, I was already riding a bicycle that measured six metres, but no one knew."

Unfortunately, his plan to ride his bike 100 metres in front of fans and Guinness officials came to nothing as the police intervened and asked him to climb down.

He has also been working on a 10-metre tall bike, but said it would be easier if the United States lifted its embargo so that he could get better parts.

"I've been doing this now for 34 years," he said. "I could teach people how to (ride tall bikes) but not everyone wants to take the risk."

Here he is in action: