Around-the-world cyclist passes through Butler County
A cyclist attempting to circumnavigate the globe passed through Butler County on Wednesday, May 29, during her journey.
Lael Wilcox, a 37-year-old endurance cyclist from Alaska, is attempting to set a Guinness World Record for fastest circumnavigation of the globe by bicycle. Wilcox is aiming to complete her circumnavigation of the globe in 110 days, which would surpass the previous record of 124 days.
An online tracker on cyclingabout.com spotted Wilcox passing through Saxonburg shortly after noon on Wednesday before proceeding north into Eau Claire.
According to a map of her planned route, Wilcox passed north through Butler County on her way east through the United States, passing through Saxonburg, Butler, East Butler and Eau Claire before proceeding into Clarion County.
Wilcox’s ride started from Grant Park in Chicago on Sunday, May 26. For the first leg of her journey, she will travel 1,093 miles east toward Newark Liberty Airport in New Jersey, where she will board a flight to Porto, Portugal, and bring her Specialized Roubaix bike with her.
For the record to count, Wilcox must ride at least 18,000 miles — the circumference of the earth — in one direction, and finish at the same point she started. Wilcox would need to ride approximately 163 miles a day throughout her journey to finish by her goal of 110 days.
