Kurt Searvogel, an ultra-cyclist attempting to set a new world record for most miles ridden听in a single year, completed his mission听Saturday after breaking the previous record by over 1,000 miles. Since beginning his challenge on January 10, 2015, Searvogel logged a total of 76,076 miles over the course of a year, averaging 208 miles per听day.
鈥淩ight now, I鈥檓 just kicking back and relaxing,鈥 he said Monday, speaking over the phone in Venice, Florida. 鈥淚鈥檓 glad to be off the bike. Yesterday, somebody told me he didn鈥檛 see me on , and I was like, 鈥楴o, you won鈥檛! Not for a long time.鈥欌
As 国产吃瓜黑料听reported in December, the 52-year-old Arkansas software engineer burned through multiple junk food meals each day in his effort to break the 76-year-old record of 75,065 miles, set by amateur British cyclist Tommy Godwin in 1939. As he neared the finish in September, his heart rate approached 170 beats per minute鈥攁 reading close to maximum capacity, which prompted a visit to the cardiologist鈥攂ut he was cleared to continue shortly afterwards. (The doctor鈥檚 exact words were, 鈥淒on鈥檛 give up!鈥)
Searvogel鈥檚 unofficial end-of-the-year mileage data is available from the , which听will certify the new record. After passing Godwin鈥檚 total last Monday, Searvogel averaged 167 miles per day until the year-end date, his secondary goal having been to cross the 76,000-mile mark before finally giving it a rest. His next endurance race will likely be the Bike Sebring 12 Hour, which will take place in February, in central Florida. A celebration of the new record is tentatively scheduled for听this听Saturday in Little Rock.
鈥淭hen I鈥檓 back to running my business again,鈥澨齋earvogel said. 鈥淚 have to start actually doing some work!”