Extreme challenges: Records of grit and determination
- Paul Aage Hegvik
- Feb 16
- 5 min read
Updated: Mar 15
Embarking on a journey to cycle around the world is a monumental endeavor that has captivated the hearts of many adventurers.
This pursuit not only tests physical endurance but also offers profound insights into diverse cultures, landscapes, and the human spirit. Here are some remarkable stories of individuals who have undertaken this epic voyage.
Mark Beaumont's record
In 2017, Scottish cyclist Mark Beaumont set a new world record by cycling 29,020 kilometers (18,032 miles) around the globe in just 78 days, 14 hours, and 40 minutes. His meticulously planned route and support team enabled him to maintain an average of 240 miles per day, showcasing the pinnacle of human endurance and strategic planning.
Jenny Graham's circumnavigation
Eleven months after Beaumont's feat, Jenny Graham embarked on her own global cycling journey. Jenny Graham began her solo cycling circumnavigation on June 16, 2018, and completed it on October 18, 2018. Covering 29,656 kilometers (18,427 miles) in 124 days, she set the women's world record for the fastest unsupported circumnavigation by bicycle. Without a support team, Graham's achievement highlighted resilience and self-reliance, inspiring many to pursue their own adventures.
Lael Wilcox's challenge
Alaskan cyclist Lael Wilcox is renowned for her long-distance cycling prowess. In 2024, she undertook an ambitious journey to set a Guinness World Record by cycling 29,000 kilometers through 22 countries in approximately 110 days. Her experiences, including interactions with locals and encounters with diverse wildlife, were chronicled in her daily podcast, «Banana,» offering listeners a vivid glimpse into the life of a long-distance cyclist.
Stephen Fabes' Six-Year odyssey
Dr. Stephen Fabes left his medical practice in London to embark on a six-year cycling journey across the globe. Dr. Stephen Fabes began his six-year cycling odyssey on January 5, 2010, and completed it in February 2016. Traversing over 86,000 kilometers (53,000 miles) and visiting numerous countries, Fabes explored remote regions and documented his experiences, shedding light on global health issues and the universal quest for adventure. His journey is detailed in his book, «Signs of Life».
Pioneering Pan-American cycling
In the early 1970s, Dan and Lys Burden, along with Greg and June Siple, initiated «Hemistour», a pioneering bicycle tour from Anchorage, Alaska, to Tierra del Fuego, Argentina. Spanning from 1972 to 1975, this 18,272-mile journey laid the groundwork for future long-distance cycling events and inspired the establishment of the Adventure Cycling Association, promoting bicycle travel and awareness.
Adorjan Illes' exploration
Hungarian cyclist Adorjan Illes spent four years traversing 39 countries, covering approximately 45,000 kilometers (28,000 miles) on his bicycle. His journey offered profound personal insights, transforming his mindset and attitude toward life, and exemplified the enriching experiences that come from embracing the unknown.
Scott Stoll's Quest
Scott Stoll embarked on a four-year global cycling adventure, seeking answers to life's great mysteries and a path to personal fulfillment. Scott Stoll began his four-year cycling journey in 2001 and completed it in 2005. During this adventure, he cycled across six continents, covering over 25,742 miles (41,470 km) in search of happiness and meaning. His experiences are captured in his book, «Falling Uphill». His odyssey, covering multiple continents, was a testament to the transformative power of travel and self-discovery, inspiring others to pursue their own quests for meaning.
These narratives underscore the diverse motivations and experiences of those who choose to explore the world on two wheels. Whether breaking records, seeking personal growth, or promoting global awareness, each cyclist's journey contributes uniquely to the rich tapestry of adventure cycling.
Cycling records shattered in decades
Annie Cohen Kopchovsky
Cycling has witnessed numerous remarkable world records that showcase the sport's diverse challenges and the extraordinary capabilities of its athletes.
Annie Cohen Kopchovsky and Thomas Stevens is among the cyclists that have pushed the human limits.
In 1894, Annie Cohen Kopchovsky, better known as Annie Londonderry, embarked on a groundbreaking journey to become the first woman to bicycle around the world. A Latvian Jewish immigrant residing in Boston, Annie accepted a wager that challenged her to circumnavigate the globe by bicycle within 15 months. Leaving her husband and three children behind, she began her adventure on June 25, 1894.
Annie's expedition was as much a publicity venture as it was a test of endurance. She secured sponsorship from the Londonderry Lithia Spring Water Company, earning $100 to display their placard on her bike and adopt the surname «Londonderry» for the journey.
Despite having minimal cycling experience prior to this endeavor, she demonstrated remarkable resilience and adaptability.
Mix of riding, sailing and train travel
Annie Londonderry's bicycle circumnavigation (1894–1895) was not a true, continuous cycling journey but a mix of riding, sailing, and train travel. She strategically chose a route that allowed her to complete the journey within 15 months, as per the wager. Her path included: United States (Start & Finish) – Departed from Boston, Massachusetts on June 25, 1894, and cycled to Chicago. Realizing her heavy bike was impractical, she switched to a lighter men's bike before heading east to New York City. France – Arrived in Le Havre in December 1894 and cycled to Paris.
Egypt – Traveled by ship to Alexandria, briefly riding in Egypt.
Middle East & Asia – Passed through Jerusalem, present-day Israel, and Colombo, Ceylon (Sri Lanka) via steamship.
China & Japan – Reached Hong Kong and Nagasaki, Japan.
United States (Return) – Sailed to San Francisco, then cycled across the U.S., arriving back in Chicago in September 1895.
Throughout her travels, Annie faced numerous challenges, including cultural barriers, physical hardships, and societal skepticism about a woman's capability to undertake such a feat. She often supplemented her income by delivering lectures and selling photographs of herself, weaving captivating tales—some embellished—of her adventures to captivate audiences and the press.
After 15 arduous months, Annie completed her journey, returning to Chicago in September 1895.
Her pioneering spirit not only shattered contemporary gender norms but also paved the way for future generations of women in sports and adventure.
Thomas Stevens
In an era before paved roads and modern cycling gear, Thomas Stevens made history as the first person to ride a bicycle around the world.
From 1884 to 1886, he pedaled across continents on a penny-farthing, facing extreme weather, rugged terrain, and cultural barriers. His journey, stretching 13,500 miles (21,700 km), took him through North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, proving that the bicycle was more than just a novelty—it was a tool for global exploration.
In the late 19th century, bicycles were a new and exciting mode of transport, but they were far from practical for long-distance travel. Yet, in 1884, a young Englishman named Thomas Stevens set out on an ambitious mission: to become the first person to cycle around the world.
His journey
Bicycle: A penny-farthing with a 50-inch front wheel and no gears or brakes.
Start: San Francisco, April 22, 1884.
Route:
Crossed the United States to Boston.
Sailed to Liverpool, England, then cycled across Europe, Turkey, Persia (Iran), and India.
Passed through China and Japan before sailing back to San Francisco.
Completion: December 1886.
Challenges & legacy
Stevens faced harsh terrain, extreme weather, and cultural barriers. He was denied entry into Afghanistan, forcing a route change, and encountered hostile regions along the way.
After his journey, he wrote «Around the World on a Bicycle», a two-volume book that became a bestseller and inspired future adventurers. His ride proved that bicycles could be used for long-distance travel, opening the door for modern cycle touring.
