Most records have been completed under special rules and circumstances, such as beingmotor-paced, on terrain advantageous for speed (such as downhill or low-friction surfaces), using a bicycle with one gear (for example,single-speed bicycles) or using highly aerodynamic cycles (for example,recumbent bicycles). As cycling is a diverse activity with vast differences between equipment, disciplines, and terrain, there is no one record that can popularly be considered a benchmark for “fastest cyclist”. Thehour record is generally considered the most prestigious, due to its long history and standardization of rules.
TheInternational Human Powered Vehicle Association (IHPVA) acts as the sanctioning body for new records in human-powered land, water, and air vehicles. It registers non-motor-paced records (also called unpaced), which means that the bicycle directly faces the wind without any motor-pacing vehicle in front.
On land, the speed record registered by a rider on a 200-meter flying start speed trial was 133.28 km/h (82.82 mph) by the CanadianSam Whittingham riding the Varna Tempest, astreamlinerrecumbent bicycle in 2009,[19] atBattle Mountain, Nevada. His record has been surpassed by 0.5 km/h by Sebastiaan Bowier of the Netherlands in 2013 setting the new record of 133.78 km/h (83.13 mph). The record was again surpassed on 19 September 2015 by Todd Reichert by riding the ETA, a streamlined recumbent bicycle at 139.45 km/h (86.65 mph) from the team behind theAeroVelo Atlashuman-powered helicopter.[20][21] Todd Reichert broke his own record again on September 17, 2016, to set a speed of 144.17 km/h (89.58 mph) at the 2016 WHPSC.[16]
The female record holder for this same category was Lisa Vetterlein, who reached 107.16 km/h (66.59 mph) in 2005.[22] This record was beaten byBarbara Buatois of France, when she reached 121.44 km/h (75.46 mph) at Battle Mountain in 2009.[19] She subsequently achieved 121.81 km/h (75.69 mph) at the 2010 running of the Battle Mountain event.[23] This record was beaten on 13 sept 2019 byIlona Peltier of France, at 126.52 km/h (78.62 mph) at the 2019 WHPSC event.[17]
Motor pacing is a type of cycling record where a pace vehicle is modified by adding a tail fairing to keep the wind off the cyclist who is riding behind it. This type of record was invented by Charles "Mile-a-Minute Murphy" who drafted a train to set a 96 km/h (60 mph) record in 1899. A mile of plywood sheets was attached to the railroad ties, so Charles would have a smooth surface riding behind the train.[24][25]
In 1928, Leon Vanderstuyft from Belgium reached 122 km/h riding behind a motorbike at avelodrome.[25] Alexis Blanc-Garin from France set the record to 128.20 km/h in October 1933 riding behind a motorbike.[26] Albert Marquet, from France, reached 139.90 km/h riding behind a car in 1937.[27] On 22 October 1938,Alfred Letourneur reached 147 km/h at avelodrome inMontlhéry, France, riding behind a motorbike.[28] On 17 May 1941 Letourneur broke the record again, reaching 175 km/h (109 mph) on a Schwinn bicycle riding behind a specially equippedmidget racer, on a Los Angeles freeway nearBakersfield, California.[29]
The first to surpass 200 km/h was the FrenchmanJose Meiffret in 1962, when he reached 204 km/h (127 mph) behind aMercedes-Benz 300SL car on a German motorway.[30]
Allan Abbott, a cycling enthusiast and motorcycle racer, elevated the motor-paced bicycle speed record at theBonneville Salt Flats, reaching 223 km/h (139 mph) in 1973.John Howard, Olympic cyclist andIronman triathlon winner, reset the record to 244 km/h (152 mph), also at the Bonneville Salt Flats, on 20 July 1985.
Fred Rompelberg fromMaastricht, Netherlands was the holder of the motor-paced speed world record cycling with 268.831 km/h (167.044 mph) from 1995 to 2018.[31] He used a special bicycle behind a dragster of the Strasburg Drag Racing Team at the Bonneville Salt Flats.
Denise Mueller-Korenek claimed a women's bicycle land speed record at 147 mph (237 km/h) at the Bonneville Salt Flats on 10 September 2016. Mueller was coached by former record holder John Howard.[32] On 17 September 2018, again at Bonneville, she took the outright world record, riding a special KHS bike with a 62Tx12T gear (488 gear-inches) to a new overall record top speed of 183.183 mph (295 km/h) behind a converted rail dragster with a fairing.[1]
During the last decade of the 20th century, two Frenchmen,Éric Barone and Christian Taillefer, set the speed record descending on snow several times. On 28 March 2015, Éric Barone reached 223.3 km/h (138.8 mph) atVars ski resort, France, besting his own record from 2000, using a specially designed prototype bicycle.[33] In 2017 Barone achieved a new downhill record on snow reaching 227.72 km/h using a prototype bicycle.[6]
Using a serial production bicycle, as opposed to prototype bicycles, the record holder isMarkus Stöckl from Austria. He set a world speed record in 1999 on snow, descending at 187 km/h (116 mph) atLes Arcs. On 14 September 2007, Stöckl rode an Intense M6 mountainbike down the ski slope ofLa Parva, Chile, reaching the current record of 210 km/h (130 mph).
The top descending speeds have always been obtained on snow. Apart from that, the ashes of a volcano have been the other surface used. In November 2001,Éric Barone descended on theCerro Negro volcano inNicaragua at 130 km/h (81 mph), beating his previous record achieved inHawaii in 1999. Barone believed he could do more, and returned to the same location on 12 May 2002 when he reached 163 km/h (101 mph) on a serial production bicycle and 172 km/h (107 mph), on a prototype bicycle, a world record.[25] Markus Stöckl did beat the serial production bicycle record in 2011 when he reached 164.95 km/h (102.50 mph) on a volcano in Nicaragua and again in 2017 when he reached 167.6 km/h (104.1 mph) down a volcano in Chile.[13] The prototype bicycle record, on a volcano, still belongs to Barone.
Thehour record for bicycles is the record for the longest distance cycled in one hour on a bicycle. The most famous type of record is forupright bicycles meeting the requirements of theUnion Cycliste Internationale (UCI). Hour-record attempts are made in avelodrome, frequently at high elevation for the aerodynamic benefit of thinner air. Between 1997 and 2014 the UCI retrospectively restricted hour record competitors to roughly the same equipment as was used byEddy Merckx in his 1972 record. In 2014, the UCI changed the hour record rules to permit using any upright bike allowed for endurance track events. However, other retrospective changes to hour record regulations are why the current hour records are not the farthest absolute distance.[34][35]
The UCI hour records as of 13 October 2023[update] are:
Another type of record registered by theInternational Human Powered Vehicle Association (IHPVA) and theWorld Human Powered Vehicle Association (WHPVA) is for human-powered machines, typically fullystreamlinedrecumbent bicycles. These feature a lower frontal area than a UCI bicycle due to their recumbent seating design of the rider. They enclose the rider and machine in aerodynamic shapes made of carbon fiber, Kevlar, or fiberglass to reduce air resistance. A further type of record is for partially streamlined recumbents, which are open but have either a windshield in front or a streamlined tail-box in the rear. This is registered by the World Recumbent Racing Association (WRRA).[38]
Streamlined recumbent bicycle (bicycle and rider enclosed in an aerodynamic shell): Francesco Russo of Switzerland set a new World Record by covering 91.556 km (56.890 mi) in one hour at the DEKRA test track in Germany on 2 August 2011.[39] This record is approved by the WHPVA. On 19 July 2009,Sam Whittingham at the Ford Motor Company's 5-mile oval test track in Romeo, Michigan, achieved 90.598 km. This record was approved by theIHPVA and WHPVA committees. In 2008, Damjan Zabovnik achieved 87.123 km[40]
Non-streamlined Recumbent Bicycle (no shell, only disk wheels, and rider sitting on top frame). The best mark was achieved by Aurelien Bonneteau, a French rider at the Bordeaux velodrome. He rode a bicycle with a nearly horizontal seat to allow his back to lie flat, two standard sized wheels, an elliptical chainring, and shortened pedal arms to reduce the air volume swept out by his legs. His distance was 56.696 km (35.229 mi), on 16 July 2014.[41][42]
Please note that some records are made with at least one of the following beneficial factors: streamlined bicycles, being part of a 4x4 relay team, being in other aerodynamically favorable conditions such as behind trucks, special support teams, supplements etc. Different race locations (including elevation), weather conditions, etc. all do come into play.
Christian von Ascheberg set the human powered vehicle (HPV) land distance record at 1,218 kilometres (757 mi) in 24 hours in a Milan SLvelomobile at theDEKRA test track in Germany on 1 August 2010.[47]
Andy Wilkinson set the UK 24-hour time trial record at 871 kilometres (541 mi) on 24/25 June 2011.[48]
Stanislav Verstovšek set the 24 hour road record at 914.020 kilometres (567.946 mi) inDobrovnik, Slovenia on 2 October 2020.[49]
Christoph Strasser set the 24 hour road record at 1,026.21 kilometres (637.66 mi) inZeltweg, Austria on 16 July 2021.[50]
Michael Secrest set the record for 1216 miles outdoors in US by drafting behind 18 wheel truck[51]
Beatrice Grimshaw claimed to have broken the women's road record c. 1900[52] however the distance ridden is unclear, no authority has recognised the record and there are doubts about her claim.[53]
Edith Atkins set the women's road record at 679 kilometres (422 mi) on 12 July 1953.[54]
Christine Moody set the women's record at 688.57 kilometres (427.86 mi) in July 1969.[55]
Sandy Earl set a new road record at 712.07 kilometres (442.46 mi) on 14 August 2011.[56][49]
Maria Parker set a new road record at 755.101 kilometres (469.198 mi) on 13 October 2012.[49]
Amanda Coker set a new road record at 824.798 kilometres (512.506 mi) on 23 October 2021 becoming the first woman in history to break 500 miles in 24 hours.[57]
Dr Mitchell Anderson set the 24 hour outdoor track record at 894.349 kilometres (555.723 mi) at the AARC inWensleydale, Victoria, Australia on 30 March 2018.[49]
Ralph Diseviscourt set the 24 hour outdoor track record at 915.4 kilometres (568.8 mi) in Vianden, Luxembourg on 11 July 2020.[58]
Petra von Fintel set the women's human powered vehicle (HPV) land distance record at 1,011.99 kilometres (628.82 mi) in 24 hours in a Milan velomobile atKlettwitz, Germany on 12 July 2015.[59] In July 2018 Nici Walde claims to have ridden 1,088 kilometres (676 mi) at theOpel Test Center inRodgau-Dudenhofen, Germany.[60] however as of 31 July 2018[update] the ride is yet to be recognised by the World Human Powered Vehicle Association.[59]
To qualify for the relevant Guinness World Record one must satisfy various requirements, such as total distance travelled, pass through two approximate antipodal points, provide specified evidence, etc.[62]
Thefastest known time (FKT) forcircumnavigation of the globe bybicycle is awarded for completing a continuous journey around the globe by bicycle and other means, consisting of a minimum 29,000 km (18,000 miles) in total distance cycled.
In 1911 the weekly magazineCycling began a competition for the highest number of 100-mile rides or "centuries" in a single year.[67] The winner wasMarcel Planes with 332 centuries in which he covered 34,366 miles (55,307 km).[67] The inspiration for the competition was said to be the efforts of Harry Long, a commercial traveller who rode a bicycle on his rounds covering every part of England and Scotland and who covered 25,376 miles (40,839 km) in 1910.[67] The world record for distance cycled in a year began in an era when bicycle companies competed to show their machines were the most reliable. The record has been officially established nine times.[68] A tenth claim, by the English riderKen Webb in 1972, was disallowed.[n 1] Apart from the 1911 competition organised byCycling, there was no authority that set rules for record attempts nor certified the mileage ridden.[69] In 1937 theLeague of Victorian Wheelmen declined a request byOssie Nicholson for patronage for his attempt on the record. Nicholson's response was to appoint a committee to supervise his attempt.[70] The mileage had been traditionally verified by way of a sealedmilometer and cards signed by upstanding members of society such aspolice officers orpostmasters.[71]
In November 2014 the UltraMarathon Cycling Association announced that it would recognise a new record category for the highest annual mileage in a year,[72] and set rules for the record.[69] All of the previous record holders from Marcel Planes to Tommy Godwin rode adouble-triangle diamond frame bicycle, and their rides all commenced on 1 January. The UltraMarathon Cycling Association decided, however, to permit any bike type except forfaired recumbents, and that an attempt may start on any day of the year running for 365 consecutive days. Odometers and cards were replaced byGPS recording and live tracking devices such as theSPOT Satellite Messenger.[69]
In 2015, three cyclists commenced an attempt to beat the record set by Tommy Godwin. Briton Steve Abraham[73] started his attempt on 1 January, AmericanKurt Searvogel,[74] nicknamed Tarzan, started 10 January, and Australian Miles Smith started on 18 June.[75] Abraham was hit by amoped rider on 29 March 2015, breaking his leg above the ankle.[76] After two weeks' recovery, Abraham resumed cycling gradually, using just one leg to pedal arecumbent trike.[77] Having lost so much distance, he launched a concurrent attempt on the record starting on 8 August 2015,[75] however he announced on 22 January 2016 that he had ended his concurrent attempt.[78] Abraham rode 63,568 miles (102,303 km) in his calendar year attempt.[75] Smith ceased his attempt on 13 November 2015.[75] Searvogel managed to overcome weather, injury and also married his one-woman support crew Alicia Searvogel, breaking Godwin's mark with five days to spare.[75][79][80][81] Cycling Weekly reported a surprising number of people were less than charitable about Searvogel's amazing feat.[82] Searvogel planned his attempt to hit his final mileage of 76,076 miles exactly, writing "The number is significant in that it took 76 years and 76,076 miles to take the record from the British – The spirit of 76 lives on".[83] This UMCA record is also recognized as a Guinness World Record.[81]
During 1938Billie Dovey, the English 'keep fit girl' of the 1930s, achieved a record 29,899.4 miles (48,118.4 km). Contemporary advertising shows that she rode aRudge-Whitworth bicycle and relied onCadbury milk chocolate for energy. Dovey combined the attempt with a lecture tour, often finishing her ride and then giving a fitness lecture in the evening.[92][93]
In February 1942 Pat Hawkins, the holder of the 'World Seven Days record', claimed to have ridden 45,402.8 miles (73,068.7 km) inPerth, West Australia, despite having missed seven weeks riding. A few days later the claim was withdrawn due to discrepancies in her logs. The press had reported her campaign in relation to Billie Dovey's record, to wit,after ten weeks she had recorded 7,302.8 miles (11,752.7 km) compared to Mrs Dovey's 5,238 miles (8,430 km). She would have reached Dovey's record after 36 weeks, three days, one hour and 20 minutes. The endeavour was sponsored byBruce Small Pty Ltd.[93][94][95][96]
In 2016,Kajsa Tylen[97] broke the record, exceeding Dovey's mileage on 24 November, with over a month of the year left to go.[98]Guinness did not ratify Billie Dovey's record, and had set a target of over 50,000 km. Tylen cycled all over the UK and Europe, encouraging others to join her every day, and make 'sweat pledges' of support. Tylen set the Guinness World Record for females at 52,025 kilometres (32,327 mi).[99]
On 5 April 2017, the 326th day of her year-long record attempt to ride more miles in a year than anybody ever,Amanda Coker broke the women's, as well as the overall mileage record, when she exceeded Kurt Searvogel's previous record of 76,076 miles (122,432 km). The Guinness Book of World Records certified Coker's record at the end of her record-breaking day at 76,233.9 miles (122,686.6 km).[90] Coker completed her year-long mileage record with 86,537 miles (139,268 km).[91]
On June 4, 2016, Alicia Searvogel became the first woman over 50 years of age to make an attempt the Highest Annual Mileage record. On June 3, 2017, Searvogel finished her attempt with a total of 32,415 miles (52,167 km).[75] While she fell short of breaking Amanda Coker's overall woman's record, Ms. Searvogel was awarded the highest annual mileage record,[75] and highest month mileage record 4,021 miles (6,471 km) in the 50–59 age category by the UMCA (now WUCA).[100]
Pembroke to Great Yarmouth is the traversal of the whole width of the island ofWales and England between two extremities; Starting in Pembroke in the West and finishing in Great Yarmouth in the East. The record is also known as the Side to Side record. The distance by road using the traditional route is 349 miles (562 km) and the records are maintained by theRoad Records Association. Some of its current records are:
Upright bicycle: In October 2018 Nick Clarke claimed the record in 15h 23m 59s,[101]
Women's record: Maria Bloom, 2004, 16h 51m 56s[102]
Land's End to John O'Groats is the traversal of the whole length of the island of Great Britain between two extremities; in the southwest and northeast. The distance by road using the traditional route is 874 miles (1,407 km) and the records are maintained by theRoad Records Association. Some of its current records are:
Ben Rockett claimed to have set a record of 141h 8m 0s[107][108] for anupright bicycle from Land's End to John O'Groats to Land's End, being the return journey of Land's End to John O'Groats. The distance by road using the traditional route is 1,748 miles (2,813 km). The precise route he took is not clear as his website says the distance ridden was 1,880 miles (3,030 km).[107] Its status as a record however was dubious as no recognised authority certified the record.
In September 2017 James MacDonald set a Guinness world record, starting and finishing at John O'Groats.[109] Guinness certified the record as covering 1,725 miles (2,776 km) in 5 days 18 hours and 3 minutes, beating Rockett's time by 3 hours and 5 minutes.[110]
On 3 September 2020, Marcia Roberts became the first female to record the journey starting at Lands End, by bike, in a time of 11 days, 13 hours & 13 minutes and set a Guinness World Record.[111] On 16 July 2023, Louise Harris successfully completed the return journey in 10 days 5 hours, breaking the original record by over 1 day 8 hours.[112]
On 13 March 1940Pat Hawkins set the 'World 1,000 mile record' in Perth, having ridden the 1,000 miles (1,600 km) distance in 4 days, 8 hours and 7 minutes, cutting 9 hours 53 minutes off Vera Unthank's record.[113]
Men's record: Gethin Butler, 2001. After setting the Lands End to John O'Groats record in 2001 Gethin Butler continued to ride, completing 1000 miles in 55 hours 59 minutes 0 seconds.[114]
Women's record: Lynne Taylor, 2001. After setting the women's Lands End to John O'Groats record, Lynne Taylor continued to ride, completing 1000 miles in 64 hours and 38 minutes.[114]
On Sunday 17 March 1940 Pat Hawkins, an 18-year-old female from Western Australia, set the 'World Seven Days record' in Perth, having ridden 1,546.8 miles (2,489.3 km) to surpass the previous best (1,438.4 miles (2,314.9 km)) set by MrsValda Unthank of Hastings, Victoria. Hawkins also broke the West Australian records for one, two, three, four, five, six and seven days, plus surpassing the Australian professional men's record ofOssie Nicholson.[113] No authority appears to maintain this record, however notable distances ridden in seven days include:
Tommy Godwin rode 2,084 miles (3,354 km) between 16 and 22 July 1939.[116]
Bruce Berkeley rode 2,825 kilometres (1,755 mi) between 23 and 29 June 2014.[117]
Richard Nutt rode 2,830 kilometres (1,760 mi) between 1 and 7 June 2015.[118]
James Golding rode 2,842.2 kilometres (1,766.1 mi) between 19 and 25 June 2017.[119]
Bruce Berkeley rode 3,333.3 kilometres (2,071.2 miles) between 6 and 12 January 2020.[120]
Matthieu Bonne rode 3,619.7 kilometres (2,249.2 miles) between 20 and 26 March 2023.[121]
There are 2 authorities currently recognising this record, Guinness World Records and World Ultra Cycling Association (formerly the UltraMarathon Cycling Association).Tommy Godwin rode 8,583 miles (13,813 km) in July 1939,[116] on his way to setting the World Endurance record for a single year however no authority has recognised this as a record. Current record holders are:
WUCA record holderAmanda Coker rode 8,012.4 miles (12,894.7 km) in April 2017.[100][122]
Guinness World Record holder Janet Davison rode 4,010 miles (6,450 km) between 24 July and 22 August 2015.[123]
WUCA male record holder Steven Abraham rode 7,104.3 miles (11,433.3 km) between 2 September and 1 October 2016.[100]
Guinness World Record holder Arvid Loewen (Canada) rode 7,219 miles (11,618 km) between 1 and 30 July 2020, travelling fromWinnipeg toHalifax, Nova Scotia toVancouver (via Winnipeg) and back to Winnipeg.[124]
On 11 July 2017, 24-year-oldAmanda Coker set a new "Fastest completion of 100,000 miles by bicycle record, doing so in 423 days. Coker's record improved by 77 days on Tommy Godwin's prior record of 500 days set in May 1940. The record was certified by the Guinness Book of Records and the Ultra Marathon Cycling Association (now the WUCA).[125][126][127][128]
The longest bicycle wheelie in one hour is 30.95 km (19.23 mi), and was achieved by Manuel Scheidegger (Switzerland) in Bern, Switzerland on 12 September 2020.[136]
Kurt Osburn (nicknamedWheelie King) fromCalifornia, United States is theGuinness World Record holder for Longest BicycleWheelie, riding on the back wheel of a bicycle.[137] On 8 August 1998, he rode a wheelie for a record 11 hours at theAnaheim Convention Center,California. In June 2012 David "Pixie" Robilliard failed to break the record.[138]
From 13 April to 25 June 1999, Kurt rode 2,839.6 miles from Hollywood to the Guinness World Records Experience in Orlando on one wheel, also for a Guinness World Record, becoming the first person in history to ride a bicycle wheelie coast to coast. During his attempt he rode an average of 50 miles per day, sometimes with winds in excess of 40 miles per hour. Other facts: He cycled on the 110 Highway, had 4 flat tires (on the rear tire), over 1.8 million pedal revolutions from start to finish, and was chased by dogs almost daily.[139]
^Ken Webb's claim was for 80,647 miles (129,789 km) in 1972. Webb insisted he had completed the distance but others said he hadn't and he was removed from the Guinness Book of Records.
^Newmann, Kate."Beatrice Grimshaw".Dictionary of Ulster Biography. the Institute of Irish Studies of the Queens University of Belfast. Retrieved6 August 2016.She was a keen cyclist, and broke the women's world 24 hour record by five hours.
^Laracy, Hugh (1983)."Grimshaw, Beatrice Ethel (1870–1953)".Australian Dictionary of Biography.9. Australian National University. Retrieved7 August 2016.She was interested in competitive cycling and showed her tendency to romanticize herself claiming a world record for a 24-hour ride; experts doubt the claim.
, 2022, 56.792 kilometres (35.289 mi)[36]
France
Great Britain
Australia
United States