SKYWAY HAM DOES MORE THAN POP WHEELIES
Aaron Hunter, Jr. has always had a passion for adventure. When he got his first dirt bike as a kid, he said it was like getting a million-dollar check. He knew then that one day he was going to do something special. Being the adventurous person, he is, he wanted to accomplish a feat that had never been done before. He had already mastered the streets with his bike and wanted to take it to another level. So, two years ago on October 16, 2022, he became the first African American to do a wheelie across the Sunshine Skyway Bridge – the tallest bridge in Florida – wearing Nike flipflops!
The Skyway Bridge is one of the longest cable stayed concrete bridges in the world which connects St. Petersburg to Manatee County. Aaron did the wheelie from one end of the bridge to the other side. Facing 80 miles per hour wind gusts was a challenge but that did not stop him. “That was the hardest part,” Aaron, whose nickname was “Hamma”, said. But he kept the course and came away from the challenge with a new nickname, “ Skyway Ham”.
“I wanted to do something no one had ever done before. I wanted to stand out. That was my adventurous side,” he said.
Since gaining fame for his feat, Skyway Ham wanted to take his work to another level. He always had a love for community and wanted to be able to give back to the place where he grew up and help kids and families. “I began hosting community events, a beach party, block party and club parties,” he said.
“I started with free events with vendors providing the food so everyone could have a good time.” Skyway Ham sponsored the free events for a year then started charging in order to be able to put the money back in the community.
In August, he held his first backpack giveaway complete with supplies and everything a kid needs. This will be an annual event that he will sponsor. This year, he also hosted a Halloween party for 300 kids and a Halloween block party for adults where over 2,500 attended. He also hosted 58 students at Buffalo Wings and 35 to Livingston’s. These major giveaways were straight out of his pockets. “Everything I do is for community,” he said.
Skyway Ham still rides his dirt back.
“There’s nothing like being on one wheel,” he said. “My dad rode so that’s where my passion comes from. I love what I do.”
The video of Skyway Ham’s feat can be seen on his Facebook page and on Instagram. He also has a documentary – A Bike Life Story – on YouTube. Check it out!
Skyway Ham 1st Annual Back 2 School Drive
