Five impressive bicycle world records

Last week, the Toronto Star wrote about 100 year-old cyclist Robert Marchand, who rode 100 kilometres in just over four hours.  His achievement inspired us to search for some other impressive biking records from the Guinness Book of World Records.

 

 

Tallest rideable bicycle – Pictured above. In 2004, Winnipeg’s Terry Goertzen built and rode a bicycle over 18 feet tall!

 

These bikes at the 2012 MS Bike Tour – Grand Bend to London weren’t quite as tall, but their riders score extra points for style!

Most steps climbed by a bicycle - Three separate riders climbed 2008 stairs on New Year’s Eve 2007, in recognition of the upcoming 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.

Longest distance cycling backward in 24 hours – In 2004, American Darl Bonnema cycled 180 kilometres – backwards! – in a single day.

Fastest crossing of America by bicycle – Rob Kish made the journey in only 8 days, 3 hours and 11 minutes back in 1992.

Fastest circumnavigation by bicycle – The United Kingdom’s Alan Bate circled the globe – starting and finishing in Bangkok, Thailand – in 127 days, a total distance of nearly 30,000 kilometres.

We may not set any new world records during the upcoming 2013 MS Bike Tour, but we are already North America’s largest cycling series! We hope many of you will set new personal or team bests and share your goals in the comments or on Facebook or Twitter.