Wind tunnel-testing, custom components and a shaved head: meet Lael Wilcox's around-the-world setup

Lael Wilcox is preparing for a groundbreaking attempt to become the fastest cyclist to circumnavigate the globe, aiming to surpass the current overall record held by Mark Beaumont. Having already set the women’s Around the World Guinness World Record earlier in 2024 with an 18,125-mile ride completed in just over 108 days, Wilcox plans to complete her new challenge in under 79 days. Her route will take her across six continents, covering approximately 240 miles daily for more than 11 weeks, starting and finishing at Chicago’s Buckingham Fountain. This attempt marks a significant shift in Wilcox’s approach, as she will be supported by a full crew for the first time in her ultra-endurance career, allowing her to maximise her time on the bike. Months of meticulous preparation have gone into refining every element of her setup, including extensive wind tunnel testing at Specialized’s facility in California to optimise aerodynamics. Wilcox has even shaved her head to save time on daily grooming, estimating this small change could reduce her overall journey time by up to 13 days. Wilcox’s bike has been customised extensively to meet the demands of the record attempt. She will ride a Specialized S-Works Roubaix equipped with Future Shock suspension and a SRAM RED AXS drivetrain, featuring a 48/35 chainring and a 10-36 cassette. The bike sports a bespoke paint job by Emily Hallewell that symbolises the seven legs of her route and her personal ethos of global connection. Additional custom components include Zipp wheels, a tailored cockpit setup with mounts for navigation and lighting, and specialised accessories from sponsors such as Exposure and Wahoo. Her kit has been carefully chosen to complement the rigours of the ride, with Wilcox wearing Rapha’s new Brevet clothing line, a Specialized helmet, and other high-performance gear. This holistic approach to preparation underscores Wilcox’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of endurance cycling through innovation and detailed planning. As she embarks on this record-breaking journey, the cycling community will be watching closely to see if she can rewrite the history books and set a new standard for global cycling endurance.