Around the Globe in 110 Days: Introducing the Cyclist Aiming to Set a World Record

At 7:06 a.m. on May 26, Lael Wilcox set off from Grant Park in Chicago, initiating her quest to break the Guinness World Record for the fastest women’s circumnavigation by bicycle, targeting completion in just 110 days. To achieve this, she will need to ride a minimum of 163 miles daily over the course of months.

To qualify for the record, Wilcox must complete 18,000 miles in a single direction, starting and ending at the same location. This number isn’t arbitrary; it represents the Earth’s circumference. While she can travel between continents and utilize sea and air transport, she must cycle a total of 18,000 miles. The current record, set in 2018, belongs to Scottish cyclist Jenny Graham, who rode 18,400 miles in 124 days and 11 hours.

From Chicago, Wilcox will journey across North America, then make her way to Europe before flying to Bangkok. From there, she’ll cycle through Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore, continue to Australia and New Zealand, and finally fly back to Alaska to start her return route to Chicago.

Wilcox, a native of Anchorage, Alaska, has triumphed in some of the world’s toughest endurance cycling competitions since she began racing about ten years ago. Before embarking on her ambitious journey, she chatted with Dinogo about the importance of traveling light, finding rest on the road, and how cycling offers the best way to explore new places.

This interview has been streamlined and summarized for clarity.

When did you first consider pursuing the Guinness World Record?

In 2016, during my race across the U.S. That was the starting point for me. I even went so far as to get a new passport, but I was just dreaming big, as I could barely afford to race across the country. I had no plan or budget; I was simply captivated by the idea of being on the road for that long and all the sights I would see. It felt like a blend of a travel adventure and a competitive challenge.

That race across the U.S. remains my longest event, covering 4,200 miles. I ended up winning the overall race against both men and women, but I was completely drained. There was no way I could have pushed on any further; I was utterly exhausted. It took me 18 days and 10 minutes. For this ride, I’m aiming for 110 days. While it's longer, that was in 2016 and now it’s 2024. I’m approaching this with a greater level of resilience than I had back then; I was relatively new to the sport then, driven more by passion than experience. I was pushing myself hard every day without knowing how to pace myself.

Now, I feel a sense of excitement about this being my goal for the summer. It’s something I’ve aspired to do for quite a while.

I assume the passport is fresh and updated now.

I had to prepare a few things in advance, such as my passport and visas. I need to register my ride with an organization, which requires keeping a daily log of my mileage—tracking where I start and finish each day. I’ll compile this information to verify that I completed the ride. [Stay updated on Lael’s journey.]

Being an American is a privilege since I can travel almost anywhere without needing visas. I’m really thankful for that. As long as I have these essentials sorted out, I’ll just see how it unfolds.

Why don’t you have a fixed route between these points?

I have a general plan, but it’s flexible. Each person attempting this must chart their own course, which makes sense given that political situations can change. I’ll begin in Portugal for the European leg and finish in Tbilisi, Georgia, before flying to my next destination.

But that’s also part of the excitement—I’ll get to explore many new places that I’ve always wanted to visit.

Which countries are you most looking forward to cycling in?

Definitely Georgia. It has a unique alphabet and stunning mountains. It’s the birthplace of bread and wine, which I find fascinating. I’ll also be cycling through Türkiye, a country I’ve never visited. It has a rich influence on the surrounding regions—reflected in its cuisine, vibrant colors, and historical trade routes. Many of these paths are ancient, and I’m eager to see them in a contemporary context. I aim to average 170 miles daily, so absorbing all this over time will be incredible.

Have you scheduled any days where you can simply be present?

People often ask me: How can you truly experience a place while biking? I believe you perceive it differently. You witness every sunrise and sunset, you need to purchase food, and find places to rest. I wish I could engage more with the culture, but time is limited. Still, as I cycle through Paris, I’ll pass by the Eiffel Tower and other iconic landmarks, being fully present in those moments. I’m also encouraging others to join me for parts of the journey, making it feel more like a local experience.

You mentioned having people involved in your journey. Your wife, Rue, is accompanying you to document the experience and produce a daily podcast. While you'll primarily be riding alone, you won’t be entirely solo. How does your support system work while on the road?

The record doesn’t differentiate between supported and unsupported rides. Essentially, as long as I complete the distance, it counts. However, I prefer to be entirely self-supported. I don’t want anyone to feel obligated to assist me. It would be quite dull for someone to just wait in a car, handing me a burrito or swapping out my water bottles.

I’m capable of handling it myself. That’s how I prefer to travel. I also can’t envision having a car following me the whole time. What I enjoy most is the mental space that comes from being out there alone. The flexibility is great because it allows friends to join me, and if someone brings cookies or something, I can accept them. If someone offers me a place to stay, I can take that up. Many of the races I've participated in have stricter rules against receiving help, which sometimes means declining acts of kindness. I appreciate having the freedom to navigate my journey differently along the way.

I love the broader concept of freedom that biking provides—a unique perspective on the world.

I’m directly in touch with the elements; I feel the weather and the air, I conquer mountains and glide down them. It’s the most exhilarating and engaging form of travel. I enjoy walking and running, but you miss out on the thrill of descents; there’s no coasting. On a bike, the wind rushes past you, making everything feel alive.

I appreciate that aspect. When I’m climbing, I warm up from the effort, which keeps me motivated, unlike riding a motorcycle. I love the dynamic nature of biking; you’re part of the entire journey, yet you also enjoy brief moments of rest while descending.

For me, it’s become second nature. It’s when I think most clearly, surrounded by fresh air and a greater appreciation for my surroundings. I experience hunger and fatigue along the way, which drives me to meet my own needs, yet I’m able to soak in everything happening around me.

It’s also wonderfully peaceful. I encounter many animals, which I enjoy. It’s amusing—when I first got into this sport, I wasn’t passionate about it. I just saw it as an economical way to travel. Now, it has transformed into something I eagerly want to do every day.

As travelers, we often discuss jet lag. How do you plan to handle it with your schedule?

Right now, I’m feeling incredibly jet lagged. I just returned from Spain a few days ago, and I’m thinking, Oh my God, how am I going to manage this when I feel so wiped out? Jet lag really can throw you off balance—it feels like I’m seeing the world sideways.

When I raced across the U.S., I averaged about five hours of sleep each night for most of the journey. Towards the end, I started reducing my sleep to catch up to the competitor ahead of me, which worked. However, for this upcoming trip, since I’ll be out for a long time, I need more rest—aiming for six to eight hours to stay sharp. I’m striving for my best performance, and being sleep-deprived can lead to costly mistakes. In the end, you think, Oh, I should have just gotten a few more hours of sleep. So that’s the plan for now. I can adapt my strategy as I go and see what works best.

As travelers, we also discuss gear and packing. What does that entail for 110 days on the road?

I’ve opted for the latest model of the bike I used during my U.S. race in 2016, a Specialized Roubaix. It’s incredibly fast, designed for Tour de France racers. However, I’ll be using it for 110 days, so I need to equip myself with the right gear to stay self-sufficient on the road. The challenge is ensuring I don’t overpack and make it too heavy.

To navigate, I rely on the Wahoo Elemnt Roam, a compact GPS bike computer. On my handlebars, I have a mount that holds both the GPS and my phone for locating stores along the route. It’s attached to a specialized case with a quad lock, making it look like a jet's control panel. There are quite a few gadgets involved. As I ride, I’ll replace parts as they wear out—like the chain and gears. For such a long journey, I might need to do that four or five times.

For packing, it’s similar to what you’d take for a single overnight trip, but I need it for 110 nights—essentially a sleep kit, basic tools, and one outfit that I’ll be wearing. I can’t bring everything for every possible situation, so I’ll pack just enough to sleep, some food, and a few tools to make it work.

How does your identity as a traveler influence your experience of riding around the world? Are you the type to adapt easily to whatever comes your way?

I’m drawn to this style of racing because I enjoy entering unknown situations with unpredictable outcomes. I thrive on thinking quickly and finding solutions as I go along.

In this sport, adaptability is crucial since you can’t predict every scenario. Even the best-laid plans often fall apart, which suits me just fine because I’m not a fan of strict planning. I prefer to improvise. With this ride, it’s like, Yes, I’m determined to break this record. I’m very serious about that, but I also feel like, Oh, what an incredible opportunity. I can’t believe I get to bike around the world for three and a half months, experiencing all these places along the way.

Is there anything else you’d like people to know about your journey?

I began competing when I was around 28 or 29. People would say, Well, you’d better do it while you’re still young. Now at 37, I’m still at it. It’s a true gift to be able to pursue this, and I’m grateful for my health and the freedom I have.

I also hope to inspire others to feel that if they’re curious or yearning for adventure, they should have the confidence to pursue it. I think my story holds significance for that reason. People see me and realize I don’t look superhuman, yet I accomplish things that seem impossible, even to me. That’s a worthy aspiration.