Pedals at the Ready: Lael Wilcox Embarks on Thrilling New Global Adventure
Lael Wilcox Sets New Record for Fastest Women’s Cycling Tour Around the World
Lael Wilcox broke the record for crossing the United States from west to east on a bicycle. She won the one for the mountain bike ride from Canada to Mexico. So, what could be more natural than setting out to conquer the world?
The bet paid off: on September 11, the extremely tenacious cyclist from Arizona (aged 38) completed this journey in 108 days, 12 hours and 12 minutes, which is the fastest time ever in women’s cycling. “I had a blast. I could have gone on forever,” said Lael Wilcox, who started cycling to work and has been competing in extreme endurance races since 2015. “This was the best race of my life. »
Between the time she left Chicago and returned to her starting point, Lael Wilcox cycled just over 29,000 kilometres, the distance required by the Guinness Book of Records for an official world tour, the cyclist explained in an interview with National Public Radio. A distance certainly less than the circumference of the Earth (40,075 kilometers) as there are oceans to cross. Other criteria must be respected, such as passing through two points located directly opposite each other, and crossing oceans through trade.
The ultra long distance runner achieved 192,000 meters of elevation gain and crossed Portugal, Spain, Croatia, Georgia, New Zealand and Canada, to name just these countries. Lael Wilcox, who, by the way, has no interest in driving, had asked her wife to follow her in the car and plan her sleep periods.
“I’ve never felt so good at the end of a long distance,” she marveled on Instagram. I can’t believe I’m writing this, but I’m already ready to go for another ride. »
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Published: September 19, 2024