American Lyle Wilcox has broken the world record for the fastest woman cycling around the world, covering 21 countries and 18,125 miles in three and a half months.
Arriving back in Chicago at 9pm. local time on Wednesday – 108 days, 12 hours and 12 minutes after she set off – Wilcox beat the previous best time of 124 days and 11 hours set by Scottish cyclist Jenny Graham in 2018.
Alaska, 38, is a veteran ultra-endurance cyclist, who in 2016 became the first woman and first American to win the Trans Am, a 4,200-mile race across the United States.
Wilcox has also set records in the Tour Divide, an annual race along the Rocky Mountains, and even won the 350-mile Inbound XL in 2021, having cycled 600 miles to the start of the race.
For his world record attempt, Wilcox started in Chicago before moving to New York.
From the very beginning of her journey, she was battling trying circumstances. “Day 4, I was up all day, the rain never stopped and I had multiple punctures. I still did 139 miles, but it was a tough one,” he said of his sponsor, SRAM, according to Cycling Weekly.
From New York she went to Portugal, from where she sailed for the Netherlands, eventually returning via Germany, the Alps, the Balkans, Turkey and Georgia.
After flying to Perth in Australia, he cycled along the south coast to Brisbane before heading to New Zealand, which would be his last stop before returning to North America.
From his hometown of Anchorage, Wilcox cycled south to Los Angeles, before ending up along Route 66 to Chicago.
According to Guinness, a cyclist must travel in the same direction, start and end in the same place, and cover at least 18,000 miles to attempt to circumnavigate the globe.
As she neared the finish, she thanked those who had come out to support her.
“Sometimes I forget I’m riding around the world – it feels like the most fun pop-up group ride I’ve ever been on. The signs and the joy and jumping up and down the side of the road mean the world to me. means,” he said on his Instagram, which is managed by his wife, filmmaker Rogel Kaladete.
Although still set, Wilcox’s record could soon be broken. Indian cyclist Vedangi Kulkarni has covered nearly 4,800 miles in her attempt, which she hopes to complete in the same time as the American.
Summary
Lyle Wilcox, an American cyclist, has just set a new world record for the fastest time to cycle around the globe. She covered an incredible 18,125 miles, passing through 21 countries in just 108 days, 12 hours, and 12 minutes. This beats the previous record of 124 days and 11 hours, set by Scottish cyclist Jenny Graham in 2018.
Starting her journey in Chicago, Wilcox rode through places like New York, Portugal, the Netherlands, and even Australia. She faced many tough situations, like heavy rain and flat tires, but she kept going. Her adventure took her across mountains, through deserts, and along beautiful coastlines.
Wilcox is no stranger to long rides. In 2016, she became the first woman and the first American to win the Trans Am race, which covers 4,200 miles across the U.S. She’s also set records in other challenging races.
As she neared the end of her journey, Wilcox was grateful for the support from people cheering her on. She shared her experiences on social media, making it feel like a group ride with friends.
Now, another cyclist, Vedangi Kulkarni from India, is trying to break Wilcox’s record. Cycling fans are excited to see if she can beat this amazing achievement.
Lyle Wilcox’s incredible ride shows how determination and hard work can lead to amazing accomplishments. Her story inspires others to chase their dreams, no matter how big they seem!
