At 6:14 p.m. CST on September 11, Lael Wilcox made history as she completed the fastest circumnavigation of the globe by bicycle. Arriving at the iconic Buckingham Fountain in downtown Chicago, the 37-year-old ultra-cyclist and bikepacking racer celebrated her achievement with an infectious grin, having shattered the previous record by over 16 days.
Wilcox’s remarkable journey took her just 108 days, 12 hours, and 12 minutes to complete, surpassing the former record of 124 days and 11 hours set by Scottish cyclist Jenny Graham in 2018. Departing from Chicago on May 26, Wilcox had initially aimed to return in 110 days, but her early arrival is typical of her impressive track record, which includes victories in the TransAm Bike Race and setting a Fastest Known Time (FKT) on the Tour Divide route.
Covering an average of 175 miles per day, Wilcox faced numerous challenges, including a grueling 271-mile ride on day 98 to avoid a severe heatwave outside Needles, California. Her total distance was 18,125 miles, exceeding the required 18,000 miles (28,970 kilometers) for the record. The route adhered to Guinness World Records‘ stringent criteria, including traveling west to east, staying within five degrees of course deviation (about 300 miles), and passing through two antipodal points—Madrid, Spain, and Wellington, New Zealand.
Wilcox’s wife, photojournalist Rugile Kaladyte, meticulously tracked each day’s distance and elevation gain, while Wilcox maintained a rigorous daily routine of riding, eating, recovering, and recording a 15-minute podcast. Despite the intense physical demands, Wilcox averaged seven hours of sleep each night, balancing extreme endurance with a relatively sane regimen.
The attempt was unique in its rules, allowing for a combination of supported and unsupported segments. Kaladyte accompanied Wilcox throughout the journey, documenting the experience for an upcoming documentary. Additionally, Wilcox invited fans and fellow riders to join her along the way, with over 3,000 participants joining her on various segments of the ride, the largest turnout being in San Francisco, where up to 200 riders joined.
With her world circumnavigation now complete and a new Guinness World Record in hand, Wilcox is poised for a well-deserved rest. However, given her track record, it’s likely that she will soon be setting her sights on new challenges. As Wilcox herself puts it, “Records are meant to be broken.”
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