In a breathtaking display of endurance and determination, Lael Wilcox, an ultra-endurance cyclist from Alaska, has set a new world record for the fastest woman to cycle around the globe. Wilcox completed the grueling journey in just 108 days, 12 hours, and 12 minutes, covering a staggering 29,169 kilometers (18,125 miles).
Outpacing the previous record
Starting and finishing her journey in Chicago, Wilcox outpaced the previous record held by Scotland’s Jenny Graham, who completed her ride in 124 days and 11 hours in 2018. Wilcox, 38, embarked on her record-breaking endeavor on May 28, crossing 21 countries on four continents before returning to Chicago at approximately 9:00 PM local time (02:00 GMT) on Wednesday.
A herculean effort
Wilcox cycled up to 14 hours a day, a feat that will now be verified for inclusion in the Guinness Book of World Records. Ultra-endurance cycling experts estimate that athletes can burn anywhere from 6,000 to 10,000 calories daily during such intense rides.
“She just has such incredible physical stamina, mental toughness, and just sheer determination to go out and do these extreme efforts,” said Anne-Marije Rook, North America editor at Cycling Weekly magazine. “It’s just a tremendous effort to be able to do that day in and day out for 108 days straight.”
An accomplished cyclist
Wilcox is no stranger to breaking records. She was the first female rider to win the TransAm, a 4,000-mile race across the United States. She has also set records in the Tour Divide, a grueling race traversing the American continental divide along the Rocky Mountains.
The route and rules
Though her latest achievement is described as a “ride around the world,” Guinness rules require riders to start and end at the same location while always traveling in the same direction. The journey, including flights, ferries, and public transit, must cover a distance equivalent to 40,000 kilometers, the Earth’s equatorial circumference, with a minimum of 28,970 kilometers traveled by bicycle.
Wilcox’s remarkable journey began in Chicago, from where she cycled to New York and then flew to Portugal. She spent several weeks traveling north to Amsterdam, then through Germany, across the Alps, into the Balkans, and eventually across Turkey to Georgia. From there, she flew to Australia and rode from Perth along the southern coast to Brisbane, before heading to New Zealand. After covering both islands, she flew to her hometown of Anchorage, cycled along the Pacific coast to Los Angeles, and finally took Route 66 back to Chicago.
Support and inspiration
Jenny Graham, the previous record-holder, spent the day cheering on Wilcox’s finish. “It’s the most amazing thing to see women out there pushing their sport the way they want to. I’m just a massive fan,” she said.
Rook of Cycling Weekly emphasized the broader impact of these achievements: “What Jenny Graham, Lael Wilcox, and women like them are doing is just pushing the boundaries. Not just in what’s possible in terms of cycling, but the boundaries that have been set on women athletes.”
Documenting the journey
Wilcox documented her journey through a series of social media videos produced with her filmmaker wife, Rugile Kaladyte. The couple also published a daily podcast, chronicling the highs and lows of the trip.
A new challenger
Wilcox’s newly set record may already be under threat. Vedangi Kulkarni, a 25-year-old Indian ultra-cyclist, is 65 days and roughly 7,700 kilometers into her attempt to complete the ride in 110 days.
As the world celebrates Wilcox’s extraordinary feat, the spirit of ultra-endurance cycling continues to inspire and push the limits of human potential.
