Round the world biking? Who's the quickest?

Oh the sweet irony! Sayarer gobs off and makes himself look daft and it turns out he's not even broken the record himself. There is justice in the world!!

I got to the end and couldn't help thinking that rather than riding around the world, he'd be better spending a few years as a development worker in an impoverished nation. I think he'd probably learn a great deal more than he did during his trip and it might even benefit someone else. The two years I spent as a development worker taught me a lot and I became very cynical about many of the 'travellers' I met, who were going overland in trucks, motorcycling or cycling through Africa in search of experience. A lot (and perhaps most) seemed totally oblivious to the cultures they were in and the upset they'd frequently cause by ignoring local religions/customs. I think I could out-cynical our fixie riding courier.

And I'm a BMX riding vegetarian, not vegan.

heh!

"Finally…"

941 words and 7 paragraphs later he "finally" gets to the end.

Mr Sayarer responds: http://thisisnotforcharity.blogspot.com/2009/12/by-unpopular-demand-apol...

Guinness are pants at setting rules. The record used to be held by Nick Sanders who did it in 79 days - that was when the rules didn't specify 26,000 miles of travelling or two antipodal points. So Nick did a lap in the northern hemisphere of about 11,000 miles. He was the recognised Guinness record holder for quite a few years. Then Guinness rewrote the rules and said his ride didn't count!

The current rules are much better, but they do allow you to wangle deductible rest days before transfers because the clock's not running between the time when you arrive at the airport/docks and the time when you check in. I checked this with Guinness when I was thinking of having a crack. So you really would be allowed to have a month drinking cocktails in Bangkok, but only in the airport bar with your bike against the wall. If you weren't allowed to do this rich people would have an advantage because they'd book daily flights for a week either side of their target date.

Julian's big mistake is his route - a large chunk of it doesn't count. It's a clear breach of rule 2, because his journey was not continuous and in one direction. He should at least have checked it with Guinness. But I suppose he's too stroppy and cocky to take advice. Its going to be a giant Fail - just another courier misfit who won't be told

Hoping that justice is served regarding Mr Sayarer and the last laugh is on him ! No doubt this would be met by another childish rant directed at Mark B.

It would be rather amusing if Julian turns out not to be the winner, given his vitriolic attack. And what if Beaumont then deducts days as entitled? Would he then take back his record.

i reckon JS is in trouble for another reason too. the rules state that "The journey should be continuous and in one direction i.e. East to West or West to East" but by jumping from shanghai to bangkok in order to miss out australia (which is hard cause it's all into a headwind), he's effectively doing the same bit twice at different latitudes. and i don't reckon that will be allowed

let's get them all on "Come Dine With Me" to slug it out properly.

Let's not forget that James is doing it to raise money for charity.

Hooray for James B! Booooo to Julian S! Do the right thing, Guinness...

Seriously though, I've read through that PDF and can't see any justification for JS knocking 13 days off his time. Seems pretty clear to me that he's trying to pull a fast one. Hope he can square that with his moral high ground somehow

James Bowthorpe ftw!