Ex-US Marine rides 415 miles in 24 hours - on a fixed wheel bike

A former US Marine has set a new world record by riding 415 miles in 24 hours on a fixed wheel bike – and he’s now aiming to take part in next year’s Race Across America.

In August, Joe Lawhorn of Chillicot, Ohio broke the 400-mile barrier on a fixed wheel bike at the Mid-Atlantic Ultra Cycling Race, riding 404.8 miles.

That record was subsequently broken by another rider, but Lawhorn reclaimed it last month, reports the Chillicot Gazette.

He set the new record at the World 24-Hour Time Trials in Borrego Springs, California, where he rode 415.2 miles.

"I can point to how, when I broke the record the first time, just how many people rallied behind me," he told the newspaper.

"Then, when it was broken by the other very strong rider, I had so many people tell me I could get it back.

“I had strong riders take me under their wing and tell me how to train better, how to become a better rider, teach me all their skills and just an overwhelming amount of people tell me they believed in me that I could do it, even when I had doubts about myself."

Now Lawhorn, who spent six years in as a Marine and six years in the Army and is now on the US military's permanent disabled and retired list, has his sights set on next July’s Race Across America.

His placing in the Mid-Atlantic Ultra Cycling Race resulted in him qualifying for the coast-to-coast event from Oceanside, California, to Annapolis, Maryland.

Initially, he wasn’t planning on riding the event, but the support he received in reclaiming his record has led to him reconsidering his plans.

"What changed my mind? Well, I had overwhelming support and love during the World Championship race,” he explained.

“It had real-time race results on the internet and I had a lot of the Ohio cycling community watching and cheering me on.”

He added: “I had tons of non-cyclists following me and I even had a few Ohio State fans tell me they couldn't even watch the OSU football game because they were on the edge of their seats at their computers watching my lap times and figuring out what I needed to do to hit the record again."

You can find Lawhorn on Strava here.