An “ultra-endurance” cyclist from the United States has established a new world record for the quickest woman to bike around the globe. Lael Wilcox completed the 29,169km (18,125 miles) journey in 108 days, 12 hours, and 12 minutes, departing from and returning to Chicago.
She surpassed the previous record, held by Jenny Graham of Scotland, who completed her trip in 124 days and 11 hours in 2018. Wilcox, 38, from Alaska, began her adventure on May 28, navigating through 21 countries across four continents and reaching back to Chicago at approximately 21:00 local time (02:00 GMT) on Wednesday.
Throughout her expedition, she cycled for up to 14 hours daily, and her achievement is now pending verification for inclusion in the Guinness Book of World Records. Experts suggest that ultra-endurance cyclists can expend between 6,000 and 10,000 calories each day while riding.
“Her incredible physical endurance, mental resilience, and sheer willpower to tackle these extreme challenges are remarkable,” remarked Anne-Marije Rook, the North America editor at Cycling Weekly magazine. “It’s a phenomenal feat to maintain that pace for 108 consecutive days.”
Wilcox previously made history as the first female rider to win the TransAm, a 4,000-mile race spanning the entire length of the United States. She has also set records in the Tour Divide, an intense race across the American continental divide in the Rocky Mountains.
While her latest achievement is referred to as a “ride around the world,” the rules set by Guinness only necessitate that participants start and end at the same location while consistently traveling in one direction. The total distance traveled, inclusive of flights, ferries, and public transport, must reach at least 40,000km—the Earth’s equatorial circumference—with a minimum of 28,970 km covered by bicycle.
After departing Chicago, Wilcox journeyed to New York before taking a flight to Portugal. She then spent several weeks traveling north to Amsterdam, proceeding through Germany, crossing the Alps, venturing into the Balkans, and finally making her way across Turkey to Georgia. She flew to Australia next, cycling from Perth along the southern coast to Brisbane, before flying to New Zealand.
After completing her explorations of both islands, she returned to her hometown, Anchorage, and cycled along the Pacific coastline to Los Angeles, after which she traveled Route 66 back to Chicago.
Current record-holder Graham expressed her support, stating, “It’s incredible to witness women challenging themselves in this sport. I’m a huge fan.” Rook noted that the achievements of Wilcox and Graham serve to inspire others: “What Jenny Graham, Lael Wilcox, and others like them are accomplishing is redefining the limits—not just in cycling, but also breaking barriers for female athletes.”
Wilcox documented her experience through a series of social media videos created with her filmmaker wife, Rugile Kaladyte. Together, they have also produced a daily podcast detailing their experiences during the journey.
However, Wilcox’s new record could be at risk. Vedangi Kulkarni, a 25-year-old ultra-cyclist from India, is currently approximately 65 days and 7,700km into her attempt, with the goal of completing her ride in 110 days.
