Two cyclists took a different approach to a tour of Europe when they decided to break a world record by cycling to the highest number of countries in one week by bike. The duo managed to cycle to 14 countries in 7 days to achieve the new record.
Aaron Rolph and Paul Guest cycled through a total of 14 countries in just 7 days from October 28th to November 3rd. The pair chose Eastern Europe due to the high concentration of countries in the area and relatively low lying land. The pair ended in Greece having visited Hungary, Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia, Montenegro, Kosovo, Albania, Bulgaria, Macedonia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Austria, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic.
Overall the trip covered 1800 kilometers and the cyclists ascended over 13,000 meters (so not that low lying). To meet their goal Aaron and Paul had to cycle for over 15 hours a day and were not allowed any assistance or support team. To ride for 15 hours in a single day would be an extreme ask of the body. The mental and physical fatigue that would take place would be excruciating. For Aaron and Paul to sustain 15 hours a day, every day, for seven days while climbing over 13,000 meters shows how difficult it must have been to achieve such an incredible feat and how dedicated the pair were to do it.
Both cyclists highlighted the support they received at every step of their journey and how the biggest thing that hit them throughout the adventure was the compassion and generosity of complete strangers. If two weary travelers ever pass you on bikes, maybe give them a sandwich or something more as they are probably sick to teeth of their goo sachets and happy to take some help.
In a world where people continue to push boundaries and records, where it is harder and harder to achieve something lasting, Aaron and Paul have managed to create an incredible record and have an epic adventure along the way. Congrats to all involved
