Think a Grand Tour is long? How about an around the world race? The Global Bicycle Race will roll out from London in February as racers will attempt to ride at least 18,000 miles in the shortest amount of time. Racers will follow the Guinness Book of World Records rules:
The cyclists are free to choose their own routes. Guinness rules, however, state that the winner travel at least 24,900 miles (the distance around the equator) of which 18,000 miles must be on a bicycle. The competitors need to pass two opposite points on the globe, such as Spain and New Zealand, and they need to generally travel in one direction.
The current record was set by Vin Cox in 2010 in 163 days, 6 hours, and 58 minutes. Not sure how one would even begin training for such a race but I’m guessing it’ll take more than a few Clif Bars and pasta dinners to make it through. You can read more about the race, rules, and follow along at the Global Bicycle Race.
Ride on…
No related posts.
This is funny since I am currently reading a book of Mark Beaumont’s race around the world in 2008. He took a dramatically different route.
What’s the title? Always looking for good reads. Thanks!
I wouldn’t be in a hurry to call it a good read but the title is “The Man Who Cycled the World.”
My next read will be about a man who tried in 1880 and made it 2/3 of the way before disappearing in Turkey. I’ll let you know how that one is.