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

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.