Cycling: Lael Wilcox tries to break the world record for cycling around the world

The route that started in Chicago is 29,000 kilometers long and goes through four continents.

Wlicox, 39, already holds the women’s world record for round-the-world cycling. He did that in 2024. At that time, 108 days, 12 hours and 12 minutes passed.

At that time, Wilcox cycled an average of 269 kilometers every day. Now he plans to increase the daily mileage to 386. According to him, it does not mean increasing the speed, but he tells The New York Timesilllethat the daily driving time will increase from 12 to 16 hours.

Wilcox cycled 454 kilometers during the first day.

Wilcox’s route runs from Chicago to Halifax, Canada, from where he flies to Lisbon. After this, cycling continues through Europe to Istanbul.

“Portugal and Spain have a lot of growth,” states Wilcox.

However, he cannot avoid Spain, as the Guinness World Record has defined two destinations in opposite directions: Madrid and New Zealand’s Wellington. In addition, the record requires 29,000 kilometers of cycling.

After Istanbul, the journey continues 4,000 kilometers through Kazakhstan, from where the flight to Bangkok. From there, Wilcox moves to Singapore. After that, it’s time to cycle through Australia from Perth to Brisbane, from where he flies to Auckland, New Zealand and cycles to Wellington, from where he flies to Alaska.

The last leg is therefore from Anchorage, Alaska to Chicago, where Wilcox should arrive no later than August 24 at 18:40 local time.

Wilcox believes in his possibilities, but does not go into the project headlong.

“I feel that I have full potential and even if I don’t succeed, this is still worth trying,” Wilcox told The New York Times.

The previous one the experiences of cycling around the world are useful for Wilcox. He says that he plans to avoid big cities, some mountain sections, reduce communication and take a bigger support group with him.

“People want to come and say hello and the last time I had time to stop and chat. Now I have to stay more clear on my bike.”

However, Wilcox plans to invite people to join him for a bike ride, but this time he doesn’t plan to stay and chat with other cyclists.

When in 2024 Wilcox’s support group equaled his wife Rue Kaladytethis time there are three to four assistants in the van with its equipment. Assistants cook, plan possible route changes according to weather conditions and maintain the bike.

Wilcox has tried to do everything in his power to leave more time for cycling. She has even cut off her hair to avoid hair care. In addition, Wilcox estimates that it may have an impact on aerodynamics.