Lael Wilcox is an endurance cyclist who has faced considerable doubt and skepticism, especially early in her career. Despite the challenges, she completed a monumental 18,000-mile journey around the world in just 108 days, setting a new record and proving her critics wrong. Her route took her through diverse landscapes and countries, including Europe, Australia, and New Zealand, and she finished where she started: in Chicago. This journey not only showcased her physical and mental stamina but also her determination to challenge stereotypes about female athletes.
Wilcox’s record-setting trip around the world met all the stringent requirements set by the Guinness World Records, which dictate that the journey must be at least 18,000 miles long, start and end in the same place, and travel in one consistent direction. Her route spanned 21 countries, proving her endurance and meticulous planning. The idea for this adventure was inspired during the 2016 TransAm Bike Race, a demanding cross-country race from Oregon to Virginia, which Wilcox won, becoming the first woman and the first American to do so. Despite feeling exhausted by the end of the TransAm, the experience planted the seed for her global cycling challenge.
Years later, she completed this dream journey, which she describes as the ride of her life. Despite it being over a month since her return, the memories and impacts of the journey linger, feeling both recent and distant due to their intensity.
Wilcox’s motivation for undertaking such a challenging ride was fueled by her desire to prove that women are capable of achieving great feats in endurance sports. This drive was partly a response to those who doubted her abilities because she is a woman. She hopes that her achievements might change perceptions and encourage greater acceptance and support for women in sports.
During her travels, Wilcox often participated in Komoot’s Women’s Rallies, a series of events she helped start with the navigation app Komoot to promote female participation in cycling. These rallies have grown significantly, with up to 1,600 women participating, ranging in age from 19 to 70 and coming from about 60 different countries. These events provide a platform not just for competition but for solidarity and shared inspiration among women cyclists.
Wilcox’s global journey was fraught with challenges, including severe physical ailments and harsh weather conditions that tested her limits. From battling illness and poison ivy to dealing with extreme weather due to climate change, she faced numerous obstacles that could have derailed her mission. However, she persevered, driven by a commitment to her goals and the support of the cycling community.
The environmental changes she observed during her travels, such as more intense storms and unusual heatwaves in Europe, added to the urgency of completing her journey now, fearing that future conditions might not permit such an endeavor.
As Wilcox approached the end of her journey, the support grew, culminating in a memorable final stretch through the United States with hundreds of riders and family members cheering her on. The emotional finish in Chicago, where she was welcomed by a large crowd, was a poignant moment, marking the achievement of a lifetime.
Despite the physical toll, Wilcox remains passionate about cycling and is open to future challenges, even as she learns that her record might soon be broken by another ambitious cyclist, Vedangi Kulkarni. Wilcox embraces this possibility, believing that records are meant to be surpassed and hoping that her achievements will inspire others to attempt even greater feats.