Lael Wilcox becomes fastest woman to cycle globe

September 12, 2024 - U.S. “ultra-endurance” cyclist Lael Wilcox, 38, has become the fastest woman to circumvent the globe by bike, crossing 21 countries on four continents before beating the previous record by 16 days.

With her time, the 38-year-old Alaskan has unseated Jenny Graham, from Scotland, who held the record since 2018 after completing her journey in 124 days and 11 hours.

While her record is billed as a “ride around the world”, Guinness rules only require riders to start and end in the same place, always travelling in the same direction, BBC reports.

A rider’s entire journey, including flights, ferries and public transit, must equal a total distance equivalent to 40,075km – the circumference of the Earth’s equator. The minimum distance travelled by bicycle must surpass 28,970km.

Wilcox’s new record may already be under threat, as Vedangi Kulkarni, a 25-year-old Indian ultra cyclist, is aiming to complete her ride in 110 days.