Guinness World Record cycling attempt to pass through Stanhope
American ultra-endurance cyclist Lael Wilcox is attempting a Guinness World Record attempt by cycling around the world faster than anyone in history. And she will be passing through Stanhope along the way!
Born and raised in Anchorage, Alaska, Lael Wilcox started commuting by bike in her 20s. Within a year, riding to work became riding across the country and then all over the world.
In 2024, Lael Wilcox became the fastest woman ever to cycle around the world, completing the journey in 108 days, 12 hours, and 12 minutes, a journey that took her that time through Murchison.
At 4am on Tuesday 7 June 2026 she commenced her second attempt to travel a total of 40,075km: the fastest bicycle circumnavigation ever completed by a human.
The record, currently held by Mark Beaumont, stands at 78 days, 14 hours, and 40 minutes and to beat it, Lael will need to average roughly 386kms every day for nearly 78 days while navigating changing weather, traffic, terrain, border crossings, sleep deprivation and equipment demands.
Her route consists of seven distinct riding sections and six transfers. She’ll start by riding from Chicago to Halifax, Nova Scotia, before crossing the Atlantic and riding across Europe from Lisbon to Istanbul. From there, she’ll head east across Kazakhstan and then south through Southeast Asia from Bangkok to Singapore.
In Australia, she’ll ride from Perth to Brisbane, passing through Stanhope on the way, followed by a section through New Zealand.
The final leg brings her back to North America, riding from Anchorage, Alaska, to finish in Chicago.
Lael is motivated to encourage more people, especially women, to ride.
“We need more women to prove what’s possible,” Wilcox said in a press release announcing her route. “Breaking this record would be inspiring for women and communities all around the world.” ‘Worst case I get to ride a lot’.
Follow Lael’s progress here
https://www.laelwilcox.net/2026-around-the-world-faster or read updates in the Waranga News.
