The current world record is 163 days set by Vin Cox in August 2010 and my goal is to bring the record down to 100 days.

The official Guinness criteria states that the world record attempt for fastest circumnavigation by bicycle may be supported or unsupported, must be at least 18,000 miles around the world in a continuous direction, must pass through two antipodal points directly opposite one another in the world, the same bike to be used throughout, a requirement to start and finish in the same place and detailed records and a log book of witnesses to be maintained throughout so that Guinness officials can verify the record attempt. Simples!

I came up with this idea of targeting the world record shortly after finishing the Race Around Ireland in 2009 which is when I read Mark Beaumont’s book describing his world record circumnavigation by bike in 2008 in a time of 195 days. I immediately thought I could better that and decided on 100 days – no particular logic, I just thought 100 days sounded good (as well as being 80 working days) and was a target that was going to be extremely difficult for myself or others to beat in future. But, deep down, I felt confident and believed the 100 days was possible.

My original plan was to set off from Europe in March so that I would arrive at west coast of America in mid June, just in time for the start of the Race Across America which would act as the final leg of my journey. But Siberia is pretty cold in March and I did not want to risk becoming ill so I eventually settled on a different route in 2013 (likely via Turkey). I will be using 2012 to get myself ready for the 100 day challenge.

The provisional route will see me start and finish in my hometown of Galway, Ireland. I will move across northern Europe, then south to Turkey and into Asia via India, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Australia and New Zealand before crossing the USA and flying to Lisbon, then into Spain and back to Galway, Ireland.