The Fastest Man Around The World

Nine years after his previous attempt, Nick Sanders, with the support of Punctureseal, is once again the fastest man around the world. This is brief story of how it happened.

Nick set off from the UK on May 22nd 2005 with the sole objective of regaining his world record which until a few days’ ago stood at 19,461 miles in19 days 8 hours and 25 mins. Unlike the previous record holders though, he was to be on his own with just a credit card and a phone (soon to be stolen in India!)Nick had also been commissioned to film the record attempt by Granada Men and Motors for a film to be shown in the autumn so a very expensive camera had to accompany him as well.

The record attempt has to pass through two Antipodal points ( two places diametrically opposite on the earth ) which to some extent planned the journey for him. These two points were Wellington (New Zealand) and Madrid.

Stage 2 meant a flight from Istanbul to Mumbai (India) in order for him to avoid the unstable Middle East territories. There was a long hold up at customs whilst waiting for the bike to arrive but fortunately these hold ups do not go against the record and the clock is stopped until Nick finally rides off into the distance. However an opportunist did steal his mobile phone so now we had to rely on Nick contacting us. Those of you who have met Nick will know that that could be in any place at any time!! Nick encountered some of the worst roads he has ever seen in his life during this stage of the record attempt. In 50 degree heat he was just battling against atrocious roads, slow traffic and heat exhaustion, which actually caused him to collapse at one stage! But Nick is no quitter and 2½ days later he arrived in one piece in Calcutta but another 12 hours behind schedule. This was concerning to everyone and even Nick was beginning to doubt he could do it. The previous record holders avoided India and made up the miles else where. You can see why!

A quick flight to Bangkok and he was off again for stage 3. Just 1 day to get to Singapore but he manages it. Unfortunately no time can be made up on this leg and to be honest until Nick gets to America it will be extremely difficult.

Another flight to Perth and stage 4 begins. This is a very long leg of the trip expecting to take 6 days. Nick knew he had to try and make up time. He must at times have been running on sheer instinct. Remarkably after days of not hearing from him we got a call to say “5030 miles in 4 days 21 hours I'm in Sydney”. The guy is amazing. He must be exhausted.

Stage 5 was quick across New Zealand from Auckland to Christchurch through Wellington (1st Antipodal point) and took just half a day. Then it was a flight to Anchorage (Alaska) to start the North American leg of the record.

Stage 6 was from Alaska to New York via the Mexican border. Who else but Nick would travel across North America via Mexico! In order to keep the record attempt alive Nick must ride 1250 miles every 24 hours for 7000 miles. I only know 1 man who would even attempt this. Fortunately that man is the one who’s got to do it. And he did. How, I don’t know but he did. and the record is now within Nicks grasp.

Back in Europe and stage 7, the final part of the journey. Lisbon ( Portugal ) through Madrid (2nd Antipodal point) across to Valencia up to Calais to the start/finish point via Paris in 24 hours. Was it possible or would his dream be dashed on the very last leg of the journey.

Nick should complete the record before noon on Saturday July 23rd but we heard nothing. We were all concerned as to what had happened to him and the record! We heard nothing at all on Saturday and as far as I was concerned that was it. Nick I imagined was in a bar somewhere in France drowning his sorrows. Sunday, 12.00pm and the mobile rings, “ Hi Mark I’ve done it, I’ve got the record back, thank you so much Punctureseal ”. It is so typical of Nick I should have known better. He had decided to get the first ferry out of Calais and went straight to London before contacting anyone! I later found out that Nick managed to break the record by 1 hour that’s how tight it really was.

The man’s a nightmare but ultimately a World Record Holder who I admire immensely. The new record stands at 19650 miles in 19 days 3 hours and 15 mins. That is in fact 200 miles further than the previous record. I think this time the record could stand for a very long time and I for one am very proud to have been a part of it.

Article written by Mark Gregory