Cyclist Lael Wilcox Eyes World Record With 18,000-Mile Ride

Lael Wilcox crushed the women's around-the-world cycling record last September, finishing her 18,000-mile journey in 108 days. Now the 39-year-old Alaskan is coming back for something even bigger: the overall human record.

On June 7, Wilcox will start pedaling from Chicago with one goal in mind. She needs to shave 30 days off her previous time to beat Mark Beaumont's record of 78 days and 14 hours.

"This is the most ambitious thing in my life, by far," Wilcox says. She's even planning to shave her head before the start to save time washing and brushing hair during the journey.

The ultra-cyclist knows how to beat men in major races. In 2016, she finished first overall against male competitors in the Trans Am Bike Race across 4,200 miles of the United States. She also holds speed records on Mexico's grueling Baja Divide and the Tour Divide, considered the World Series of ultra-cycling.

This attempt demands a complete shift from adventure riding to pure racing. Wilcox will ride 16 hours daily at 15 mph, covering 240 miles before sleep. Her margin for error? Just minutes across two and a half months.

For the first time in her 11-year racing career, Wilcox will have a full support crew including her wife, Rue Kaladyte. They'll handle everything from nutrition to bike mechanics while she focuses entirely on pedaling. They're traveling in an RV with spare bikes, wheels, and even larger shoes in case her feet swell.

Her new route prioritizes speed over scenery, cutting out the 630,000 feet of elevation gain from her first attempt. She'll start riding at 4am and finish around 9pm, doing dark miles in the morning when she's most alert.

The record has strict rules. Wilcox must travel at least 18,000 miles, cross all lines of longitude, hit two opposite points on Earth's surface, and move in one direction. She'll ride through seven sections across multiple continents, taking direct flights between segments while the clock runs continuously.

Why This Inspires

Wilcox is motivated by more than personal achievement. She wants to prove that women can compete equally with men in ultra-endurance cycling, a statement she's backed up repeatedly throughout her career.

Her approach to the challenge shows her competitive spirit with a dose of perspective. "Worst case I get to ride a lot," she says about the attempt.

After reviewing video from her first ride, Wilcox realized she stopped constantly to chat with fans, losing 13 hours overall. This time she's eliminating those breaks, though she plans to share her route so supporters can cheer her on. She just won't be stopping.

Her crew will also upgrade her nutrition after Wilcox discovered the power of quality fuel during a European race. "I felt indestructible with peach juice, yogurt, and pizza," she says. Good food made her ride stronger, a lesson she's carrying into this record attempt.

When Wilcox rolls out of Chicago this June, she'll be chasing more than a number on a clock—she'll be riding into history.