Around the world cycling record

The GWR rules have evolved over time with those prevailing in 2024 different in key ways from earlier rules. For example, the maximum time of 175 days that prevailed at the time of Jenny Graham does not appear to still be used. A maximum time of 150 days is now accepted as the metric for differentiating riders who 'race' around the world from those who 'tour'.

The current rules are:{{cite web|url=http://lpcb.org/gwr_guidelines.pdf|title=Fastest Circumnavigation Rules - Oldest Person to Circumnavigate by Bicycle|publisher=guinnessworldrecords.com|date=2024-10-11}}

• Start and finish points must be the same location.
• The journey should be continual and in one direction, i.e. East to West or West to East. Any considerable distance travelled opposite to the direction of the attempt (be it on foot or by other means of transport such as an aircraft) will be discounted from any calculations of the overall distance travelled.
• The journey must be continuous, with each leg of the journey beginning at the point at which the previous leg ended. This means that if riders take a break from the race and travel forward in a prohibited form of transport, they have to backtrack and cycle that distance starting from exactly the same place or risk disqualification.{{cite web|url=https://road.cc/content/news/115813-round-world-racer-lee-fancourt-hammers-despite-disqualification|title=Round the world racer Lee Fancourt hammers on despite disqualifications|publisher=road.cc|date=2014-07-04}}
• The minimum distance ridden should be 18,000 miles (28,970 km), and the total distance should exceed an equator’s length or ‘great circle’, i.e. more than 24,900 miles (40,075 km).
• No form of private transport may be used other than that by which the attempt is undertaken.
• Scheduled public and chartered transport may be used, but the challenger must be a passenger
• The scheduled public or chartered transport must be operated by a commercial, professional person or organisation.
• The participant must pass through two approximate antipodal points during the attempt.
• The participant should not remain stationary (i.e. if he or she does not make any progress towards her destination) for longer than 14 days.
• No distinction will be made between supported and unsupported journeys.

Except for the 'fastest' there is no recognition by Guinness for speed with other categories (e.g. oldest, youngest, etc.).

Earlier rules had a number of restrictions:{{cite book|title=Fastest Circumnavigation By Bicycle - Guidelines|publisher=Guinness World Records|date=2014-04-08|url=https://tomdaviesrtw.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/79886-fastest-circumnavigation-by-bicycle-male.pdf}}{{cite web|url=http://cycleseven.org/round-the-world-cycling-record|title=Round the world cycling record - The Guinness rules|publisher=CycleSeven.org|date=2010-03-20}}

• "During the attempt, the challenger is not allowed the aid of drafting. If the challenger is travelling with a support vehicle or other rider(s), the challenger MUST remain a minimum distance of 5 bicycle lengths from the support vehicle or any other rider(s). The challenger must not travel next to the support vehicle or any other rider(s) throughout the attempt." Drafting has been removed from the rules.
• "When crossing oceans or any other impassable barriers, the participant may use scheduled public transport, such as buses, aircraft, ferries etc. However, private or chartered transport (including taxis) is not permitted." This has been relaxed with regard to chartered transport which is now permitted, as long as: "chartered transport must be operated by a commercial, professional person or organisation"

Alan Bate writes of the early rules, which are still largely reflected in the current rules:

The record criteria requires the rider to cover 28,970 kilometers by bike, in an East to West or West to East direction, wavering no more than 5 degrees off course. The total journey distance must be a minimum of 40,075 kilometers, to include all transit by flight or sea. The ride must start and finish in the same place and must pass at least two antipodal points (these are two points that line up through the earth's centre). When the rider reaches a transit point to connect with a flight or boat to the next continent or country start point, the clock stops with regard to the actual riding time *(no longer the case any more since the rules have changed in relation to transit time, which is NOW included in the total time). As most of the earth's surface is water, this is unavoidable and fair as it applies to all athletes attempting the record. Once customs is cleared at the next destination, the clock immediately starts again. The same bicycle must be used throughout the attempt, although repairs and replacement parts and bikes are allowed for mechanical failure. Satellite tracking is highly recommended by Guinness World Records and a daily log, signatures of dignitaries and photographs at strategic points must be collated as evidence.{{cite web|url=http://www.explorersweb.com/stats/news.php?id=19201|title=Alan Bate's around-the-world cycling record attempt|publisher=Explorers Web|date=2010-03-29}}

The current GWR Rules no longer include the 5 degree off course limitation, however, that convention is still followed by riders. Jenny Graham in 2018 ended her China leg before Beijing so that she would not have to backtrack at all when travelling to Perth. In 2024 when travelling Alaska to Los Angeles, Lael Wilcox kept within the 5 degree principle with a -2.98 degree westward swing from her easternmost point (100 Mile House, B.C. at -121.28) and westernmost point (Ferndale CA at -124.26).

The requirement to pass at least two antipodal points causes some problems in route planning. For example, among popular countries for around-the-world cyclists, the antipodes of Australia is spread out over the Atlantic Ocean, that of North America over the Indian Ocean, that of Africa over mid Pacific Ocean, and that of Europe and most of Asia over the South Pacific Ocean, without any land mass there. Those land areas would not give any opportunities for an antipodal pair while cycling. Some possible pairs are China/Argentina, Malaysia/Peru, and Spain/New Zealand (for example, the road Lisbon–Madrid crosses the antipode of the road Wellington–Auckland).

The length requirement also requires consideration. To cycle Lisbon–Vladivostok (13900 km), Perth–Brisbane (4300 km) and Los Angeles–St. John's (7200 km) with air travel between legs gives 25,400 km. So some detours are needed (such as Invercargill–Auckland, New Zealand, 1800 km, for the sake of the antipodes requirement).

Mark Beaumont, in a 2024 interview with GCN,{{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WeNS5B_0Qs4&t=126s | title=Is This Cycling Legend About to do the UNTHINKABLE? | GCN Show Ep. 609 | website=YouTube | date=10 September 2024 }} provides insight into the challenges and implications of route selection. He comments "If you think about riding around the world in its simplest sense, you want to be able to look at a wall map and it looks like a circumnavigation. [my rides were] faithful to that idea of what looks like an unbroken route around the world." Noting that Asia is the most challenging to ride due to road conditions and complexities of border crossings, those who avoid Asia end up with large north-south loops in North America and Europe to make up the distance which inevitably give them faster times.

File:Nick Sanders.jpg

Nick Sanders completed a notable ride in 1984,Simon MacMichael, "[https://road.cc/content/news/72490-cult-survivor-becomes-first-woman-circumnavigate-world-bike Cult survivor becomes 'first woman' to circumnavigate the world by bike (at least by Guinness World Record rules)]", Road.cc, 24 December 2012. riding {{convert|13609|mi|km|-2}} around the Northern Hemisphere in 138 days, although this ride did not meet the requirements to be recognised as a GWR record.{{Citation needed|date=January 2022}}{{Cite web|date=2019-03-17|title=Andrew Slodkowski cycles around the world in 80 days...before Mark Beaumont did|url=https://kickasstrips.com/2019/03/andrew-slodkowski-cycles-around-the-world-in-80-days-before-mark-beaumont-did/|access-date=2020-06-06|website=Kickass Trips|language=en-US}}

Mark Beaumont. The Man Who Cycled the World. London: Transworld (Corgi); {{ISBN|978-0-552-15844-2}}. P. 39.{{Citation needed|date=January 2022}}Strange's website, Wayback Machine (for example [https://web.archive.org/web/20080910063208/http://www.stevesbikeride.org/ here] for 10 September 2008).

In April 2005, Phil White completed a record attempt in an estimated 299 days. This was not certified by Guinness World Records.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/4478347.stm|publisher=BBC News|title=Cyclist ends world record attempt|date=2005-04-24}}

File:Mark Beaumont - 1.jpg

On 14 February 2008, Mark Beaumont completed a circumnavigation of the globe by bicycle in 194 days and 17 hours.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/edinburgh_and_east/7245381.stm|title=Scot smashes world cycle record|date=2008-02-15|publisher=BBC News}}

In September 2009 James Bowthorpe completed an eastward circumnavigation, starting and ending in London, in 176 days.Lara Dunn, "[https://www.bikeradar.com/news/james-bowthorpe-home-after-breaking-round-the-world-record/ James Bowthorpe home after breaking round-the-world record]", Bike Radar, 22 September 2009.Bowthorpe's bicycle is described in "[https://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/latest-news/james-bowthorpes-round-the-world-bike-62873 James Bowthorpe's round-the-world bike]", Cycling Weekly, 24 February 2010. Bowthorpe's blog (as of 2022, last updated in 2010) is [https://globecycle.org/author/globecycle/ globecycle.org]. This was not ratified by Guinness World Records.Simon MacMichael, "[https://road.cc/content/news/52806-riders-set-out-greenwich-world-cycle-racing-grand-tour Riders set out from Greenwich on World Cycle Racing Grand Tour]", Road.cc, 19 February 2012.

In December 2009 Julian Sayarer, a London-based cycle courier, completed a circumnavigation, starting at Rouen and going through Europe, Russia, Kazakhstan and China as far as Shanghai; Bangkok to Singapore; the length of New Zealand; Vancouver to the east coast of the US; and finally from Lisbon back to Rouen. The time was first described as 165 days,Simon MacMichael, "[https://web.archive.org/web/20120310203212/https://road.cc/content/news/11908-london-courier-breaks-round-world-cycling-record-then-launches-bizarre-attack Ex London courier knocks 11 days off round-the-world cycling record – and then attacks past holder]", Road.cc, 9 December 2009; retrieved by the Wayback Machine on 10 March 2012. and ratified by Guinness at 169 days.Dave Atkinson, "[https://road.cc/content/news/21013-vin-cox-completes-his-round-world-record-attempt Vin Cox completes his round-the-world record attempt]", 2 August 2010. Sayarer's blog about the ride is at [http://thisisnotforcharity.blogspot.com/ This Is Not for Charity].

File:Vin Cox (2010).jpg

On 1 August 2010, Vin Cox completed an unsupported circumnavigation of the globe, which was certified by Guinness as the new world record with a time of 163 days, 6 hours, 58 minutes.{{cite web |title=Vin Cox & Genesis ride into the record books |url=https://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/product-news/vin-cox-genesis-ride-into-the-record-books-1582 |website=www.cyclingweekly.com |date=16 October 2010 |publisher=Ti Media |access-date=6 August 2020}}

On 4 August 2010, Alan Bate completed the circumnavigation in 106 days 10 hours and 33 minutes,{{cite web|url=http://road.cc/content/news/59544-mike-hall-smashes-round-world-record-time-91-days-18-hours|last=Stevenson|first=John|title=Mike Hall smashes round-the-world record in a time of 91 days, 18 hours|date=4 June 2012 |publisher=RoadCC}} which was ratified by Guinness World Records in January 2012.Bate's website, worldcyclingrecord.com, no longer exists, but is partially available via the Wayback Machine (for example [https://web.archive.org/web/20150319233441/http://www.worldcyclingrecord.com/ here] for 19 March 2015).

File:Mike Hall (2012).jpg

On 4 June 2012, Mike Hall completed his circumnavigation (from Greenwich, eastwards to Greenwich) in 91 days 18 hours. His ride was totally unsupported. After the ride, Guinness World Records changed the rules to include total travel time. Under the new rules Hall recorded a time of 107 days 2 hours 30 minutes, which was not ratified by Guinness World Records.John Stevenson, "[https://road.cc/content/news/115813-round-world-racer-lee-fancourt-hammers-despite-disqualification Round the world racer Lee Fancourt hammers on despite disqualification]", Road.cc, 7 April 2014. His route is available at [https://trackleaders.com/worldcycleracei.php?name=Mike_Hall Trackleaders.com].

File:Juliana Buhring (2012).jpg

On 21 December 2012, Juliana Buhring, of British–German nationality, arrived back in Naples to complete a circumnavigation in 152 days including total travel time, becoming the first woman to attempt and to complete a circumnavigation of the world by bicycle using a route that complies with the requirements of Guinness World Records. This was an unsupported ride.Cole Moreton, "[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/9763072/Juliana-Buhring-becomes-first-woman-to-cycle-round-the-world-as-she-pedals-into-Naples-after-152-days-on-the-road.html Juliana Buhring becomes first woman to cycle round the world as she pedals into Naples after 152 days on the road]", The Telegraph, 22 December 2012. Her route is available [https://julianabuhring.com/route/ here] and at [https://trackleaders.com/worldcycleracei.php?name=Juliana_Buhring Trackleaders.com].

On 31 December 2012, Thomas Großerichter, from Germany, completed a supported circumnavigation in 105 days 1 hour and 44 minutes."[https://www.urania.de/erdumrundung-mit-dem-fahrrad-105-tagen-weltrekord Erdumrundung mit dem Fahrrad in 105 Tagen – Weltrekord!]", Urania Berlin. This was not certified by Guinness World Records.

On 13 June 2014, Lee Fancourt completed a circumnavigation in 103 days, 23 hours, 15 minutes.

This was not ratified by Guinness World Records. Fancourt's record attempt was disqualified after failing to return to the point in India where he took a taxi in order to help out his support crew.{{cite web|url=http://road.cc/content/news/115813-round-world-racer-lee-fancourt-hammers-despite-disqualification|last=Stevenson|first=John|title=Round the world racer Lee Fancourt hammers on despite disqualification|quote=The rules of round the world bike racing and the Guinness World Record qualifications are unforgiving, as World Cycle Race competitor Lee Fancourt has found out. The 36-year-old was disqualified after failing to return to the point in India where he took a taxi in order to help out his support crew, while on schedule to break the record by weeks.|date=2014-04-17}}

Paola Gianotti started and finished at Ivrea, Turin, Italy, from 8 March to 30 November 2014: 144 days. This was a supported ride. During her voyage, on 16 May 2014, Gianotti was injured in a road accident which resulted in a fractured vertebra. Although the Guinness World Record rules state that the clock does not stop, Gianotti's time was frozen for four months till she recovered and resumed her attempt on 18 September 2014.Gianotti's route is [http://www.keepbrave.com/en/world-bike-tour.html here]. This was ratified at the time by Guinness as being the world record, but much debated at the time.{{cite web|url=http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/fastest-circumnavigation-by-bicycle-(female)/|title=Fastest circumnavigation by bicycle (female)|access-date=28 August 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://www.bicitalia.net/blog/44_32-anni-144-giorni-e-29mila-chilometri-Paola-.html |title=32 anni 144 giorni e 29mila chilometri Paola Gianotti entra nel Guinnes World Record |access-date=2016-02-17 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160325170611/http://www.bicitalia.net/blog/44_32-anni-144-giorni-e-29mila-chilometri-Paola-.html |archive-date=2016-03-25 }}

File:Andrew Nicholson (2015).jpg

Former speedskater Andrew Nicholson (New Zealand) completed an unsupported circumnavigation 29,179 km in 123 days, 1 hour and 6 minutes.Alex Bowden, "[https://road.cc/content/news/173241-new-zealand-winter-olympian-breaks-round-world-cycling-record New Zealand Winter Olympian breaks round the world cycling record]", Road.cc, 15 December 2015. The ride, which was unsupported, was recognized by Guinness.David Loughrey, "[https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/around-world-cycling-record-recognised Around the world cycling record recognised]", Otago Daily Times, 18 July 2016. Nicholson started and ended his journey at Auckland International Airport, New Zealand, between 12 August and 13 December 2015.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/dec/15/around-the-world-in-123-days-new-zealander-breaks-cycling-record|title=Around the world in 123 days: New Zealander breaks cycling record|work=The Guardian|date=2015-12-15}}

File:Mark Beaumont (2018).jpg

On 18 September 2017, Mark Beaumont arrived in Paris having completed a supported circumnavigation of the globe by bicycle in 78 days 14 hours, and 40 minutes. This beat his previous unsupported attempt by 115 days and beat the previous world record by 44 days and 10 hours and should be regarded as the record. This attempt was verified by Guinness World Records as he finished in Paris.{{cite web |url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-tayside-central-41308524|title= Cyclist Mark Beaumont breaks around the world record|author= |date= 18 September 2017|website= BBC News Online |publisher= BBC | access-date= 19 September 2017 }} The BBC reported, "During the trip, Mark was also awarded the Guinness World Records title for the most miles cycled in a month, from Paris to Perth, Australia, verified at 7,031 miles (11,315km)". Beaumont had significant support on his ride from a "base camp" team who stayed in Scotland, and "on the road" teams who followed in camper vans which provided him a comfortable place to rest when off the bike. The support team covered duties ranging from preparing his meals and ensuring optimum nutrition, optimising his route to avoid ratification pitfalls, providing massages to help alleviate the discomfort of spending long hours in the same position, and psychological support during low points.{{cite web|title=Artimis World Cycle - The Team|url=http://www.artemisworldcycle.com/the-challenge/the-team/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170609210045/http://www.artemisworldcycle.com/the-challenge/the-team/|url-status=usurped|archive-date=June 9, 2017|website=www.artemisworldcycle.com|access-date=1 May 2018}}{{cite web|last1=Ward|first1=Trevor|title=Cyclist set to finish record-breaking 'around the world in 80 days' cycle a day early|url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/bike-blog/2017/sep/14/cyclist-set-to-finish-record-breaking-around-the-world-in-80-days-cycle-a-day-early|website=The Guardian|date=14 September 2017|publisher=Guardian News and Media Limited|access-date=1 May 2018}}

The route followed is available on [https://www.komoot.com/collection/1112804/around-the-world-in-80-days Komoot].

Between July and December 2018, Vedangi Kulkarni, a native of Pune studying at Bournemouth University, attempted to become the fastest woman to circumnavigate the world on bicycle. Although she did not succeed in this, she was the "fastest Asian" to do so - although her ride was never ratified by Guiness due to a lack of evidence. Her journey started at Perth, crossing to Brisbane, crossing New Zealand, from Vancouver to Halifax, across Iceland, from Portugal to Finland, across Russia, 4,000 km across India to Kolkata; and from there flying to Perth for a 15 km ride to the starting point. The ride took 159 days as far as Kolkata and its distance exceeded 29,000 km. Kulkarni was 19 when she started and 20 when she finished the ride."[https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/more-sports/cycling/indias-vedangi-kulkarni-becomes-the-fastest-asian-to-cycle-the-globe/articleshow/67214860.cms India's Vedangi Kulkarni becomes the fastest Asian to cycle the globe]", Times of India, 23 December 2018. She became "the fourth fastest woman to cycle round the world, as well as the youngest".Simon MacMichael, "[https://road.cc/content/news/253771-bournemouth-university-student-becomes-fourth-fastest-woman-and-youngest-cycle Bournemouth University student becomes fourth fastest woman – and the youngest – to cycle round the world]", Road.cc, 26 December 2018.Sunalini Mathew, "[https://www.thehindu.com/life-and-style/fitness/indian-woman-youngest-to-cycle-around-the-world-in-159-days/article26110355.ece This Indian woman is the youngest to cycle around the world]", The Hindu, 28 December 2018.

File:Jenny Graham(2018).jpg

On 18 October 2018 Jenny Graham of Scotland arrived in Berlin having completed an unsupported circumnavigation of the globe by bicycle in 124 Days, 10 hours and 50 minutes.{{Cite news|last1=Rawlinson|first1=Kevin|last2=agency|date=2018-10-18|title=Scottish cyclist smashes round-the world record|language=en-GB|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/oct/18/scottish-cyclist-jenny-graham-smashes-round-the-world-record|access-date=2020-06-06|issn=0261-3077}} This was recognised by Guinness World Records as the new woman's record.{{Cite news|date=2019-06-10|title=Scots cyclist a new world record holder|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-48581026|access-date=2020-06-06}} She cycled the route solo and totally unsupported, often sleeping rough in drainage ditches or behind bushes.{{Cite web |title=Fastest circumnavigation by bicycle (female) |url=https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/fastest-circumnavigation-by-bicycle-(female) |access-date= |website=Guinness World Records}}

File:Lael Wilcox (2024).jpg

On May 26, 2024{{cite web |url=https://www.strava.com/activities/11506402835 |title=Day 01 — Around the World — Chicago to Indianapolis |last=Wilcox |first=Lael |publisher=Strava |date=2024-05-26 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240821203249/https://www.strava.com/activities/11506402835 |archivedate=2024-08-21 |accessdate=2024-08-21 }} Lael Wilcox left Chicago, Illinois and on 11 September 2024, Wilcox successfully finished the circumnavigation in 108 days, 12 hours, and 12 minutes, beating the previously held women's (self supported) world record of 124 days, 10 hours, and 15 minutes.{{Cite news |last=Derico |first=Ben |title=American becomes fastest woman to cycle globe |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cz7344w3jzzo |access-date= |work=BBC News}} Wilcox rode supported and encouraged her followers to ride with her.

{{cite web |url=https://content.rapha.cc/us/en/story/laels-ride-around-the-world |title=Lael's Ride Around the World / Rapha |publisher=Rapha |date=2022-04-22}} Her route is at [https://www.followmychallenge.com/live/lael/rtw/?lat=19.774462&lng=18.905638&z=1 FollowMyChallenge FollowMyChallenge].

{{Unreferenced section|date=January 2022}}

File:Matt DeWaal.jpgFile:Jay Aldous.jpg

From 2 April to 16 July 1984 Jay Aldous and Matt DeWaal rode 22,997 km/14,290 miles in 106 days, riding a greater distance in a shorter time than Nick Sanders in 1981. Aldous and DeWaal started and ended in Salt Lake City, US, and traveled in an easterly direction passing through 15 different countries. This was not certified by Guinness World Records.{{Cite web|date=2019-03-17|title=Andrew Slodkowski cycles around the world in 80 days...before Mark Beaumont did|url=https://kickasstrips.com/2019/03/andrew-slodkowski-cycles-around-the-world-in-80-days-before-mark-beaumont-did/|access-date=2020-06-06|website=Kickass Trips|language=en-US}}

Mark Beaumont. The Man Who Cycled the World. London: Transworld (Corgi); {{ISBN|978-0-552-15844-2}}. P. 39.{{Citation needed|date=January 2022}}Strange's website, Wayback Machine (for example [https://web.archive.org/web/20080910063208/http://www.stevesbikeride.org/ here] for 10 September 2008).

In September 2021, Caroline Soubayroux and David Ferguson, a married couple based in London, left from The Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel to try and set a new Guinness world record circumnavigation for a married couple on two bikes.{{Cite web |date=2021-10-28 |title=The world bicycle tour of Caroline Soubayroux and David Ferguson |url=https://journal.wilier.com/en/caroline-soubayroux-and-david-fergusons-around-the-world-cycling-challenge/ |access-date=2022-04-19 |website=The Wilier Journal [EN] |language=en-US}} Both of them took a six-month sabbatical leave from their full-time career in Investment Banking and Orthopaedic Surgery to allow for the trip.{{Cite web |date=2022-04-21 |title=Thunder, lions and headwinds: How to cycle the world through a pandemic |url=https://cyclingtips.com/2022/04/thunder-lions-and-headwinds-how-to-cycle-the-world-through-a-pandemic/ |access-date=2022-04-21 |website=CyclingTips |language=en}} The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic meant they suffered delays and rode a majority of their circumnavigation in the Southern Hemisphere, crossing South America and Africa.{{Cite web |date=2022-02-21 |title=The adventures of Caroline Soubayrous: Africa {{!}} The Wilier Journal |url=https://journal.wilier.com/en/the-adventures-of-caroline-soubayrous-africa/ |access-date=2022-04-19 |website=The Wilier Journal [EN] |language=en-US}} Their attempt was fully unsupported with the exception of the Australian leg where a camping van driven by Ferguson's father provided camp for the night. New Zealand being closed at the time of their travel, their antipodal point was Honolulu in Hawaii, the archipelago being the antipode of Botswana. Soubayroux and Ferguson successfully completed their circumnavigation on 16 April 2022 in 204 days, 17 hours and 25 minutes. The record was checked and validated by Guinness on 28 April 2023.

On 25 March 2017, John Whybrow and George Agate (known as 'The Tandem Men'), set the first tandem bicycle circumnavigation record. Starting and finishing in Canterbury, UK, the pair completed their attempt in 290 days, 7 hours and 36 minutes aboard an Orbit Tandem. This was an unsupported ride.{{Cite web|last=Ali|first=Taz|title=Two friends who travelled around the world on a tandem bike awarded Guinness World Record|url=https://www.edp24.co.uk/news/guiness-world-record-tandem-bike-ride-around-the-world-1-5658925|access-date=2020-06-06|website=Eastern Daily Press|date=20 August 2018|language=en}}

On 16 May 2019, Lloyd Collier and Louis Snellgrove cycled 29,140 km and crossed the finishing line at the Adelaide Oval, Australia in 281 days to achieve the Guinness World Record. They rode through 24 countries and 5 continents. Both emergency doctors, they raised money for Spinal Research and The Brain foundation. Their ride was westwards and unsupported.{{Cite web|date=2019-11-14|title=Doctors pedal more than 28,000 km to circumnavigate the globe on a tandem|url=https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/2019/11/doctors-pedal-more-than-28-000-km-to-circumnavigate-the-globe-on-a-tandem-598302/|access-date=2020-06-06|website=Guinness World Records|language=en-GB}}

On the 29th June 2019, Cat Dixon and Raz Marsden (both UK) set out on their tandem bike to embark on what would become a record-breaking adventure around the world; completing their journey in 263 days, 8 hours and 7 minutes.

Cat, 54, and Raz, 55, set out from Oxford last year, covering 18,263 miles on a route that took them through 25 different countries and five continents. The record-breaking route: Starting in Oxford, UK, then onto France, Monaco, Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Albania, Macedonia, Greece, Turkey, Georgia, India, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, United States, Mexico, Morocco, Spain, Gibraltar and then finally back through France to the UK, where they completed their journey. "We have highlights from every country that we visited and would definitely return to see many- although maybe at a slower pace," the pair said.{{Cite web|date=2020-07-29|title=Doctors pedal more than 28,000 km to circumnavigate the globe on a tandem|url=https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/2020/7/british-duo-complete-the-fastest-ever-circumnavigation-by-tandem-bicycle-624459|access-date=2021-01-18|website=Guinness World Records|language=en-GB}}

On 5 June 2022, Laura Massey-Pugh and husband Steven (Stevie) Massey (both Derby, UK) started from the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, their aim to set a new mixed circumnavigation record on tandem bicycle and hold the fastest tandem record by completing the trip in 180 days. They returned on 1 December 2022 with a time of 179 days 12 hours and 25 minutes, which has been registered by Guinness as a new record.{{Cite web |title=Fastest circumnavigation by tandem bicycle (mixed) |url=https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/442919-fastest-circumnavigation-by-tandem-bicycle-mixed |access-date=2023-03-31 |website=Guinness World Records |language=en-gb}} Their trip took them through Czechia, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Turkey and Georgia before closed land borders to Azerbaijan forced them to travel directly to India. They then travelled to Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore, before crossing the South of Australia, both Islands of New Zealand and the breath of Canada before returning to Europe via Portugal, Spain, France, Belgium, Holland and back to Germany. They suffered monsoons and sickness in India, a motorcycle collision in Malaysia and sub -10 °C temperatures in Canada but remained resolved to make their 180 day target despite major mechanical issues within the final 24 hours. They say their trip was certainly not a holiday and they would never do it again but are very proud of their achievement as a couple and a team.{{Cite web |title=SteLa Tandem |url=http://www.stelatandem.com}}

File:Single-Speed World Record.jpg

Douglas Concha completed the fastest known time for circumnavigation of the globe, unassisted, on a single-speed bicycle based on the Guinness World Records (GWR) [https://hbl.org/charitybicycle/] Beginning on June 1, 2023, Douglas Concha rode across Australia, SE Asia, Central Asia, Africa, Europe, South America and North America. He averaged 101 miles/162 km per day cycling and completed a total of 18,007 miles/28,879 km on May 1, 2024 [https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2024/03/07/hawaii-man-looks-break-record-after-circumnavigating-world-two-wheels/?outputType=amp] Based on the GWR standards; Douglas Concha started and finished in the same location (Honolulu, HI, USA); crossed the antipodal point with the start-finish (Dekar, Botswana); rode in a westerly direction without recrossing a longitude line; did not stop for more than 3 days; and only used flights to cross large bodies of water [https://tomdaviesrtw.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/79886-fastest-circumnavigation-by-bicycle-male.pdf] He completed his ride in 274 days[https://www.hawaiipublicradio.org/the-conversation/2024-03-08/douglas-concha-returns-to-honolulu-after-cycling-across-the-world-for-charity] Guinness World Records has not certified Douglas’ single-speed ride for their challenge.

Find out more about his route at: [https://islandscene.com/an-epic-bike-ride-around-the-world Island Scene]

Richard Evans rode around the world on a recumbent bicycle in 180 days April–October 2014.{{cite web | url=https://fitzrovianews.com/2014/10/02/round-the-word-recumbent-cyclist-returns-to-london-in-unnoffical-record-breaking-time/ | title=Round the world recumbent cyclist returns to London in (Unnoffical) record-breaking time | date=2 October 2014 }} This was not a GWR record as Guiness declined to recognise recumbent bicycles for the challenge.{{cite web | url=https://laidbackaroundtheworld.blogspot.com/p/guinness-world-records.html | title=Laid back around the world: Guinness }}

Between 1976 and 1978, Walter J. Watts, known as "Wobbling" Wally Watts{{cite web |title=(Extract from Blue Peter) "He holds the world record for long-distance unicycling" |url=https://twitter.com/bbcarchive/status/1262020047108575233?lang=en |website=BBC Archive, on Twitter |access-date=27 July 2020}} unicycled 12,000 miles around the world.{{Cite web|date=2009-11-25|title=Wobbling Wally Watts|url=http://miscellaneousphotographs.com/?p=1686|access-date=2020-06-16|website=Miscellaneous Photographs|language=en-US}} Travelling eastward, he started and ended in New York. Some countries he unicycled in: UK, France, Italy, Greece, Turkey, India, Australia, New Zealand, United States.{{Citation|last=Pratt|first=Ed|title=Why Guinness DIDN'T Give me a World Record for Unicycling 35,000km around the Earth|date=June 16, 2020|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-CXhDmwurK0 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/-CXhDmwurK0 |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|language=en|access-date=2020-06-16}}{{cbignore}}. Pratt mentions that he found out about Watts when he was researching before setting out on his own trip.{{cite web |title=Wobbling Wally Watts by Robert C. Morgan |url=http://www.unicyclist.com/filedata/fetch?id=2451635 |website=Unicyclist.community |access-date=27 July 2020}}{{cite web |title=Newsletter Vol 5 No 3 July 1978 |url=https://uniusa.org/resources/Documents/Vol-5-No-3-July-1978.pdf |website=Unicycling Society of America |access-date=27 July 2020}}

From March 2015 to July 27, 2018, Ed Pratt unicycled 21,000 miles (33,000 km) for 3 years, 135 days, starting and ending in Somerset, England.{{Cite news|date=2018-07-27|title=Unicyclist completes round-the-world trip|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-somerset-44977806|access-date=2020-06-08}} He had a specially made pannier that helped him to complete the trip unsupported.{{Cite web|last=McCoy|first=Jenny|date=2020-05-26|title=5 Pros Recommend Their Favorite At-Home Workout Tools|url=https://www.outsideonline.com/2412791/home-workout-tools-athletes-reccommend|access-date=2020-06-08|website=Outside Online|language=en}} The trip was discontinuous in time: he suspended his trip during the winter time due to icy, slippery conditions. This discontinuity lasted longer than 14 days, and was one of the reasons Pratt did not receive the Guinness World Record for Unicycling around the world. When he was no longer able satisfy the conditions for the Guinness record, he made his own rule that on land he would ride his unicycle, or walk, and push it, so that "apart from the watery bits [he would make] an unbroken unicycle tire track around the entire planet". He was awarded the {{Pslink|Points of Light|Prime Minister's Points of Light}} award for using the trip to fundraise for the charity School in a Bag, which delivers school equipment to children in need around the world.{{Cite web|title=Unicyclists who raised £300,000 during round-the-world trip honoured by Prime Minister|url=https://www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/16910494.ed-pratt-unicyclist-receives-points-of-light-award-by-theresa-may/|access-date=2020-06-08|website=Somerset County Gazette|date=2 October 2018 |language=en}}

• Record for distance in a calendar year

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Category:Cycling records and statistics

Category:Sports world records

Category:Ultra-distance cycling