The original version of this article was first published May 20, 2024.
On May 26, 2024, ultra-endurance cyclist Lael Wilcox set off on a quest to pedal her way into the history books yet again, hoping to set a new Guinness World Record by circumnavigating the world in just 110 days.
Wilcox left Chicago's Grant Park at 7:06 a.m. on May 26, 2024, and returned to the Buckingham Fountain 108 days, 12 hours, and 12 minutes later — thereby smashing both her own estimate and Jenny Graham's record of 124 days, 10 hours and 50 minutes.
For an around-the-world bike trip to qualify for a Guinness World Record, the rider must complete the same distance as the circumference of the Earth — 18,000 miles— in one direction, starting and finishing in the same place. The rider may make their own route, and air and sea travel is allowed to jump between continents as long as at least 18,000 miles are actually ridden by bike.
On her around-the-world journey, Wilcox tackled North America first, then Europe. Next, she flew to Australia and New Zealand, racking up miles along the way, before flying back to her home state of Alaska, and riding back to where it all began in Chicago, Illinois. She completed 18,125 miles (29,169 km) with 630,000 feet (192,024 meters) of climbing. She averaged approximately 170 miles a day.
"I love competition and an opportunity to try to be the fastest. But to be the fastest for something that takes like three and a half months is just crazy," Wilcox told Cycling Weekly before the start. "I always get competitive and I want to do my best but this one is so long that I have to give my best effort because I don't want to have to come back and do it again."
Let's have a look at the bike that carried Wilcox 18,125 miles around the world.
The Around the World bike
The bike frameset is the newest Specialized Roubaix, released in fall 2023. This iteration sports a lightweight carbon frame with aerodynamic tube shapes, 40mm tire clearance, plenty of accessory mounts and an improved Future Shock under-stem suspension system.
Wilcox used SRAM’s newest 2x Red groupset with a 10-36t cassette. She carried 2-3 spare AXS batteries and a charger. Wilcox told Cycling Weekly that she stayed in hotels at least every other night for good rest and battery charging purposes.
Her wheels were Zipp 303 Firecrest rims laced to a SON dynamo hub in the front and wrapped with 35mm tubeless Specialized Mondo tires.
Wilcox is well-known for her chamois-free riding, and relies on the Specialized Power Pro Mirror saddle to keep her lady bits happy. Her belongings were stuffed in bikepacking bags from Revelate Designs.
While the frameset is a stock issue, her cockpit is anything but. Minimalists, avert your eyes —this cockpit is packed! The base consists of standard drop bars with Zipp's clip-on aerobars to offer a more comfortable long-distance riding position. There are also a host of other accessories, including a custom-made sleeping bag harness by Revelate Designs, ride snacks, a phone, a Wahoo bike computer and a dynamo light unit. Yet, thanks to Shawn Small of Ruckus Composites, the setup remains neat and efficient. Small crafted custom carbon mounts for the aerobars, providing an organized space for all these accessories.
Wilcox said the complete package is" by far the best setup I've ever had—so streamlined."
Wilcox's wife, photographer and videographer Rue Kaladyte, documented the adventure on social media and published daily podcasts. A full-length documentary of the attempt is forthcoming as well.
