‘I wrapped my legs in toilet paper to keep warm’: His around-the-world effort got off to a bad start, but Andrew Ryan is still riding

Andrew Ryan, a 25-year-old endurance athlete, embarked on an ambitious journey to cycle around the world earlier this year. Despite being new to cycling, Ryan leveraged his background in ultra-endurance running to tackle the challenge. After resigning from a city-based office job in Atlanta, Georgia, he quickly prepared for the trip, purchasing a second-hand steel-framed bike and flying to Poland to begin his ride. Six weeks and over 2,300 miles later, he has reached Turkey’s Black Sea coast, demonstrating remarkable resilience and determination. The start of Ryan’s journey was far from smooth. On the very first day, while cycling through the steep terrain near Kraków, Poland, his bike suffered a critical mechanical failure with both the front brake cable and rear derailleur cable snapping. Lacking spare cables, he was forced to walk to the Slovakian border, where he found refuge in a closed homestay hotel. Isolated and without heating, Ryan endured freezing conditions, resorting to wrapping towels and toilet paper around his limbs to stave off hypothermia while sheltering in a bathroom for over 15 hours. Ryan’s ordeal highlights the unpredictable challenges faced by ultra-distance cyclists. Despite exhaustion and near hypothermia, he managed to persevere and continue his journey after receiving an unexpected extension on his hotel stay. His experience underscores the importance of adaptability and mental toughness in endurance sports, especially when confronted with unforeseen obstacles in remote locations. Ryan’s story is a testament to the grit required to pursue such an extraordinary goal. Looking ahead, Ryan plans to continue his circumnavigation through the Far East, Australia, and South America. While he acknowledges that difficulties will persist, his initial trials have strengthened his resolve and preparedness for the road ahead. His ongoing adventure offers a compelling insight into the realities of ultra-endurance cycling and the mindset necessary to overcome adversity on a global scale.