Woman cycling around the world in record attempt stops in Springfield
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Woman cycling around the world in record attempt stops in Springfield

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On Monday, a cyclist stopped in Springfield wanting to break the record for the fastest woman to cycle around the world.

Thirty-eight-year-old Lael Wilcox of Anchorage, Alaska, hopes to complete the journey around the world in just 110 days. The current record holder for the fastest woman to cycle around the world is Jenny Graham. The Scottish cyclist, now 44, completed the unassisted circumnavigation of the globe in 2018 in 124 days and 11 hours, according to her website.

Wilcox cycled around Springfield’s Park Central Square just before 12:30 a.m. Monday, stopping at The Coffee Ethic for a bathroom break. Her visit to Springfield marked the 107th day of her journey. Speaking to media outside the coffee shop, Wilcox said that with about 600 miles to go — Chicago is her end point — she could finish the ride tomorrow, in just 108 days.

To break the world record, Wilcox must cycle at least 28,970 kilometers (18,001 miles) in an east-west direction without deviating by more than five degrees from her course, according to Cycling About, a cycling publication. She must also pass through two points that pass through the center of the Earth. She chose Madrid, Spain, and Wellington, New Zealand. The total journey must be 40,045 kilometers (24,882 miles), including flights.

Lael Wilcox’s Journey

Wilcox began her journey May 26 in Chicago, where she hopes to complete it in 110 days or less. From Chicago, Wilcox biked 1,093 miles east to Newark, New Jersey, then flew out of New Liberty International Airport.

Wilcox landed in Porto, Portugal, on June 2, starting her 4,774-mile European leg, according to Cycling About. She cycled through Portugal, Spain, France, the Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Austria, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Turkey and Georgia before boarding a plane at Tbilisi International Airport.

On July 2, Wilcox began the Australian leg of her journey. She cycled from Perth to Brisbane—5,896 miles. Later that month, on July 31, Wilcox began cycling in New Zealand. She began in Invercargill and finished the 994-mile cross-country ride in Auckland.

From Australia, Wilcox flew to Anchorage, beginning the longest leg of her journey—6,535 miles from Anchorage to Chicago. She biked across Canada, along the West Coast, and now completes her journey on Route 66.

“Every day is just a big marathon of nice places, new people and different weather conditions,” Wilcox said. “I had headwinds for three days, and then yesterday the wind turned and now it’s pretty calm. I’ve had temperatures ranging from 19 to 111 degrees. I’ve ridden in winter in Australia and New Zealand.”

Riding with others

Wilcox was joined by about seven other cyclists as she rode into Central Square Park. About 14 joined her as she took off.

Throughout the trip, Wilcox encouraged people to come and ride with her.

“I invited people to just ride any part they wanted, and thousands of people from all over the world came out,” Wilcox said. “It was amazing. It’s a huge dream and goal to see if I can get it done and then get other people involved — what a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

Wilcox’s wife, Rugile “Rue” Kaladyte, has been traveling with her partner this summer. She takes photos and videos of her travels and also hosts a daily podcast called “Lael Rides Around the World.”

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Wilcox last visited Missouri in 2016, when she rode through the state as part of the Trans Am Bike Ride, a cross-country cycling race across the United States. She won the entire race in just 18 days and 10 minutes—the first woman in history to win the race. Second place, Steffen Streich, finished in 18 days, 2 hours, 18 minutes.

In addition to the 2016 Trans Am Bike Ride, Wilcox set the women’s course record in 2015 on the Tour Divide, an annual mountain bike race from Canada to the Mexican border.

“I started riding later in life, just to get to work and then travel the world and I started racing about 10 years ago, but always long distances. I had no idea I’d stick with it and now I’m here,” she said. “It’s so cool.”

Greta Cross is a trends reporter for the Springfield News-Leader. She has more than five years of journalism experience, covering everything from Ozarks history to Springfield’s LGBTQIA+ community. Follow her on X and Instagram @gretalcross. Have an idea for a story? Email her at [email protected].

Website https://downsviewparkcondos.ca/

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