Following the Great Bike Ride
February 23, 2010
3 min readTalk about taking a spin on your bike. Vin Cox’s ride is taking him around the world, in an attempt to break the record for circumnavigating the globe by bicycle. The 34-year-old Brit started his Great Bike Ride on Sunday, February 7 in London. About two weeks later, he’s now in Libya and well on his 18,172-mile journey. The last world circumnavigation record was broken in December 2009 by Julian Sayarer, who completed his trip in 165 days, averaging 109 miles a day. Cox is aiming for less than 150 days.
Although there are no rules preventing support along the way, he’ll continue in the style of his predecessors and forgo it–meaning he’ll usually ride alone, carry his own baggage, often camp road-side, and rely on himself and the kindness of strangers to solve problems. The only set of rules that he’s bound by are: starting and finishing in the same place, traveling at least 18,000 miles, and not backtracking.
Cox has chosen a route for its adventure rather than ease. If he completes his itinerary, he’ll be the first record holder with a route through Africa and South America. He’ll also be hopping continents, biking in Libya, India, Thailand, Australia, Canada, Chile, and Spain, among others, and he plans to fly between legs of his route before finishing in London. In total, he’ll visit some 20 countries on six continents.
Originally from Cornwall, England, Cox is a champion cyclo-cross racer, mountain biker, mountaineer, and long-distance trekker. In 2008 he decided to break the circumnavigation record, and he’s been training ever since. Now that he’s on the road, you can follow him on his website, on Facebook, or on Twitter, where you can get updates like “30+ mi of snow, ice & salty slush,” “shame about the cat incident,” and “Thanks to the y5 girls @Lerryn school for giving me sweets I ate today.” You can even track his progress via GPS.
The title of “world’s fastest circumnavigator” isn’t his only motivation. Cox is hoping to raise £18,000 toward the Geoff Thomas Foundation. The organization–named in honor of the ex-England and Crystal Palace footballer who was diagnosed with leukemia–helps those battling blood cancer.
Reported by Alison Brick; Photo courtesy GreatBikeRide.com
Go Further
Animals
- How can we protect grizzlies from their biggest threat—trains?How can we protect grizzlies from their biggest threat—trains?
- This ‘saber-toothed’ salmon wasn’t quite what we thoughtThis ‘saber-toothed’ salmon wasn’t quite what we thought
- Why this rhino-zebra friendship makes perfect senseWhy this rhino-zebra friendship makes perfect sense
- When did bioluminescence evolve? It’s older than we thought.When did bioluminescence evolve? It’s older than we thought.
- Soy, skim … spider. Are any of these technically milk?Soy, skim … spider. Are any of these technically milk?
Environment
- Are the Great Lakes the key to solving America’s emissions conundrum?Are the Great Lakes the key to solving America’s emissions conundrum?
- The world’s historic sites face climate change. Can Petra lead the way?The world’s historic sites face climate change. Can Petra lead the way?
- This pristine piece of the Amazon shows nature’s resilienceThis pristine piece of the Amazon shows nature’s resilience
- Listen to 30 years of climate change transformed into haunting musicListen to 30 years of climate change transformed into haunting music
History & Culture
- Meet the original members of the tortured poets departmentMeet the original members of the tortured poets department
- Séances at the White House? Why these first ladies turned to the occultSéances at the White House? Why these first ladies turned to the occult
- Gambling is everywhere now. When is that a problem?Gambling is everywhere now. When is that a problem?
- Beauty is pain—at least it was in 17th-century SpainBeauty is pain—at least it was in 17th-century Spain
Science
- Here's how astronomers found one of the rarest phenomenons in spaceHere's how astronomers found one of the rarest phenomenons in space
- Not an extrovert or introvert? There’s a word for that.Not an extrovert or introvert? There’s a word for that.
- NASA has a plan to clean up space junk—but is going green enough?NASA has a plan to clean up space junk—but is going green enough?
- Soy, skim … spider. Are any of these technically milk?Soy, skim … spider. Are any of these technically milk?
Travel
- Could Mexico's Chepe Express be the ultimate slow rail adventure?Could Mexico's Chepe Express be the ultimate slow rail adventure?
- What it's like to hike the Camino del Mayab in MexicoWhat it's like to hike the Camino del Mayab in Mexico
