World record for Lael Wilcox: Round the world in 108 days, 12 hours and 12 minutes
Lael Wilcox set off on her world record attempt on 26 May 2024 at 7 a.m. in Millennium Park in Chicago. For the record-breaking mission, she hopped on a Specialized Roubaix - not a gravel bike in the classic sense, but a racing bike for spring and cobblestone races. The bike was to carry her over 29,169 kilometres in 110 days. The previous world record held by Scotland's Jenny Graham was 124 days, 10 hours and 50 minutes, which she set in 2018.
Lael Wilcox, the world-famous endurance athlete from Alaska, beat her target and reached the starting point in Chicago again on 11 September at 18:14 (local time). She broke the world record and was also 2 days faster than planned: 108 days, 12 hours and 12 minutes.
Lael recorded a daily podcast together with Rue Kaladyte, her partner, photographer and videographer: "Lael Rides Around The World". In the first episodes, she talks about route planning, setup and preparation. Then it started and there were daily updates.
At this point, you will find external content that complements the article. You can display and hide it with a click.
The podcast by Lael Wilcox and Rue Kaladyt was also a faithful companion for Wiebke Lühmann. Wiebke Lühmann does not want to set a record on her journey from Freiburg im Breisgau to Cape Town (South Africa)She wants to gather experiences, discover new things, meet people and more.
No slipstream for Lael Wilcox
Lael Wilcox wanted to allow encounters and invited the world to accompany her for a while. Many people didn't need to be told twice and joined the record-breaking rider for a while. But one rule was clear: slipstreaming was forbidden - for Wilcox. Everyone else was allowed to slipstream, because no one else wanted to set a record.
How do you plan a round-the-world trip?
She planned some of the route herself, and others she asked friends for help. This was a great help, especially in Europe, as she reported in the podcast. This required a lot of dialogue. Which highlights should be included? How should the route be organised? What needs to be taken into account for the world record to be recognised as such? In total, Lael Wilcox covered 29,169 kilometres in 108 days and climbed an immense 191,987 metres in altitude.
Lael Wilcos visits Germany and Europe
At komoot you can view the complete route planning in different collections. This is the planning for Europe.
World record!
At this point, you will find external content that complements the article. You can display and hide it with a click.
A few facts about the round-the-world trip
- How many cups of coffee? 200 - and probably between 300 and 600 colas
- The best day on the bike: The first day back in Alaska, where she grew up.
- The most challenging day: Day 4, it rained, food didn't stay in and one flat tyre followed another
- Number of countries: 22
- Average kilometres per day: 262 kilometres
- Average speed: 23.3 km/h
- Average calorie consumption per day: between 6,000 and 8,000
- Estimated number of passengers: at least 3000
- Nights in hotels: most of the time, sometimes she stayed with friends
- Nights in a tent: 3 weeks
Eastbound - A film about Jenny Graham's record-breaking ride in 2018
Sandra Schuberth
Editor
