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The current official Guinness record holder for the youngest rider to circumnavigate the globe on a motorcycle is currently Kane Avellano, who was 23 years and 365 days at completion. His journey lasted 233 days.
Now, a Wisconsin-born young lady, Bridget McCutchen, is aiming to break Avellano’s record.
Preparations
She spent about a year planning her route, with the help of some other young folks who had already accomplished that goal. In order to qualify for the Guinness record, she has to meet some specific criteria: she will need to ride the same bike for the entirety of the journey. She is not allowed to stay in the same place for more than two weeks. Also, she needs to cross the equator at least once. Finally, the journey will need to total 24,900 miles (40,075 kilometers). Her trusty steed for the adventure is a Kawasaki Versys-X 300.
Route
She started out, of course, from Wisconsin. Then, she stopped off at the Overland Expo, to meet and talk to folks who have done more extensive motorcycle travel than she has. She then knocked around the US a bit before entering Mexico. She’s currently somewhere in South America, if I am reading her Instagram correctly. Her plan is to make it to Ushuaia, Argentina. If you look that up on a map you’ll see it’s at the very southern tip of South America.
From Ushuaia, she’ll have to ship her bike to Europe (probably Spain). After knocking around Europe for a few miles, she’ll have to figure out how to get to the other coast of the Pacific Ocean.
Border Problems
Her options for that leg of her trip, unfortunately, are a bit limited. In order to get through to that coast, her options are China, Iran, or Russia – none of which are feeling very friendly toward Americans right now. Borders being what they are, they’ll be her biggest obstacles. Anyone who has traveled extensively by motorcycle knows that the people of any country are not the government, so if she can get in, she’ll most likely be OK traveling through. Maybe. Her current plan is Russia, but she knows that might have to change.
Follow Her Travels
Her Instagram handle is “bike.will.travel” and it looks like she is having the time of her life, even if the road isn’t always easy.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Bridget McCutchen (@bike.will.travel)
From her website:
Part of the reason I’m traveling around the world is to show that the motorcycle demographic is changing. I represent the new generation of riders. Young women who enjoy motorcycling are a growing force; they are people who want to be more present, enveloped in the world, not encapsulated in the bubble of a car.
I love that sentiment. It gives me so much hope. Best of luck, Bridget! Stay safe, we’re rooting for you!
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