Brazilian Leo Pedalando Belo Mundo breaks the world record for crossing the Americas on a bicycle

On Saturday (09/02/2023), Leandro Carlos da Silva, better known as “Leo Bidalando Belo Mundo”, completed the unsupported 22,434.79 kilometer crossing from Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, to Ushuaia, Argentina, setting a new Pan American record, Not supported.

A cyclist from Caldas Novas, Goiás, Brazil, on May 30, 2023, in Prudo Bay, in northern Alaska, set out to attempt a new world record. The goal: to reach Bahia Lapataya in Ushuaia, in the southernmost tip of South America, in less than 97 days.

Advertising

On September 02, 2023, Liu reached his destination after 95 days, 16 hours and 57 minutes, surpassing the previous unsupported record by 02 days, 04 hours and 12 minutes. It covered a distance of 22,434.79 kilometers with 123,803 meters of accrued altimetry*, across 15 countries, different time zones and all climate zones on the planet.

In addition to this record, he also set the new record for the fastest unpowered crossing from North America (Prudhoe Bay) to Central America (Panama City) in 49 days. The previous record for the same span was 52 days.

Liu did not have a support vehicle to track him, so he had to carry his equipment, charge his electronics, as well as do his own laundry and buy his own food. And when he could not find a hotel in the cities where he stayed, he would sleep in his camping tent, or sleep in the open on the shoulders of the highways on the way.

I experienced different types of weather and extreme conditions: extreme cold in Alaska, fires in Canada, extreme heat waves and hailstorms in the US and Mexico, difficulties crossing borders in Central America, lack of internet and electricity in Venezuela, and unstable conditions. Roads (without asphalt) in Brazil and Bolivia, cold weather and headwinds in Patagonia, Argentina.

Advertising

The bike used was a Gravel Bike and went through three revisions during the entire crossing. The first is in the United States, the second is in Panama, and the third is in Brazil. 4 sets of frames, 4 cassettes and 8 chains were used throughout the crossing. The bike used was a Swift Carbon Univox, components from Shimano and the crown from Ictus.

Leo cycled for 95 days without any days off. An average of 236.15 kilometers were covered per day. In 2022, he tried to break the record, but due to health problems, he had to postpone the dream. That year, more prepared, equipped with a camping tent, and with the help of specialists, he determined the path he was going to follow even before leaving Brazil, and these were essential factors in achieving his goal.

Congratulations Leo!

comments

other news