29 170km & 108 days of riding to set a new Guinness World Record

15 september 2024, chicago illinois | laex wilcox sets new guiness world record as published on bike network

Lael Wilcox sets a new Ride Around the World record!

On the morning of May 26th, Ultra-Endurance cyclist Lael Wilcox left Chicago to embark on a journey like no other – a ride around the world. On the evening of September 11th, Lael made it back to Chicago after 108 days, 12 hours and 12 minutes of pedaling the planet and in the process set a new Guinness World Record.

15 september 2024, chicago illinois | laex wilcox sets new guiness world record as published on bike network
Lael rode a Specialized Roubaix equipped with SRAM RED AXS and Zipp 303 Firecrest wheels. 

The previous record of 124 days and 11 hours was set in 2018 by Jenny Graham. Lael’s route followed the criteria set by Guiness which details riders must travel in one direction only, deviating by no more than five degrees and must pass through two antipodal points.

Fun Facts from the ride

How many cups of coffee? 200, but I really drink a lot more Coca Cola than coffee! I bet I’m somewhere between 300-600 cokes. 

Favorite day of riding: my first day back in Alaska, where I grew up. It felt incredible to be on my home terrain with daylight until 11pm after a winter crossing of Australia and New Zealand. 

Most challenging day of riding: on day 4, I was throwing up all day, it never stopped raining and I was getting multiple punctures. I still rode 139 miles, but it was a tough one.  

Number of countries: 22. 
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