Support road.cc

Like this site? Help us to make it better.

London cyclist rides round world on a recumbent - in less than 6 months

Richard Evans arrived back at Bikefix on Lamb's Conduit Street yesterday evening after 22,758km trip in support of charity RoadPeace...

A 52-year-old man from London arrived back in the capital yesterday evening after riding around the world on a recumbent bike in a shade under six months. Richard Evans from Raynes Park, who set out on his journey on 5 April, and has also been raising money for the charity, RoadPeace.

His trip, undertaken on a Bacchetta Giro, is believed to be the fastest circumnavigation ever undertaken on a recumbent, and perhaps even the first.

However, as he details on his Laid Back Around The World blog, Guinness World Records doesn’t recognise such a bike under its rules.

The fact he wasn't able to attempt the record however meant that Richard, who works as a school travel advisor for the London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham, was able to hook up with friends and family on the way.

In doing so, he took a total of 30 days off the bike - although he still racked up an impressive 153km a day on the ones he as riding for a total distance of 22,758km.

His round-the-world trip, documented on his blog and on Twitter, started and finished at recumbent specialists Bike Fix on Lamb’s Conduit Street in Bloomsbury, which put the bike together for him.

He was met there tonight by family, friends and supporters, with his brother Tony saying they are “very proud of his achievement.”

Richard said:“Basically I just like riding my bike! This was a holiday and an adventure seeing interesting places, meeting interesting people and making new friends."

While he stresses the ride was not primarily for charity, he does say he welcomes donations to RoadPeace, which campaigns for road safety and supports the families of people killed in road traffic incidents.

His trip was entirely self-financed, and all money raised goes to the charity. You can donate here.

Simon joined road.cc as news editor in 2009 and is now the site’s community editor, acting as a link between the team producing the content and our readers. A law and languages graduate, published translator and former retail analyst, he has reported on issues as diverse as cycling-related court cases, anti-doping investigations, the latest developments in the bike industry and the sport’s biggest races. Now back in London full-time after 15 years living in Oxford and Cambridge, he loves cycling along the Thames but misses having his former riding buddy, Elodie the miniature schnauzer, in the basket in front of him.

Add new comment

3 comments

Avatar
JonD | 9 years ago
0 likes

Well done !

The attitude of Guiness World Records is rather pathetic; on a couple of counts...
A recumbent isnt easier much of the time, it's just different. That Barchetta is probably as heavy as, or heavier than, the equivalent upright with similar components - the specced weight is 29-35lbs depending on model (non-Rohloff transmission). Plus you can't stand and use body weight on climbs, or unweight over rough terrain.

And a bit of a 'computer says no' regarding having a recumbent category: streamliners are completely impractical on-road; trikes are generally heavier still and worse over poor surfaces ( 3 tracks on the road)..but if someone *could* beat a 2-wheel 'bent, good luck to them.

At worse you could wind up with 3 categories - recumbent, handcycle, and velomobile, but what of it ? Perish the thought that you'd find any ridiculous records authorised by Guiness !

Avatar
hanny152 | 9 years ago
0 likes

What a legend. Big congratulations!

Avatar
HalfWheeler | 9 years ago
0 likes

Round the world on a repugnant? Chapeau monsieur!

Latest Comments