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American ultracyclist Kurt “Tarzan” Searvogel breaks annual mileage record set in 1939

In 1939, British cyclist Tommy Godwin raised the cycling bar to a position that nobody thought could be surmounted.

Image: Tarzan Rides the HAM'R Kurt Searvogel/Facebook
Image: Tarzan Rides the HAM’R Kurt Searvogel/Facebook

In 1939, British cyclist Tommy Godwin raised the cycling bar to a position that nobody thought could be surmounted. That year, Godwin set an “unbreakable” record for the most distance traveled by bike in twelve months, when he put a staggering 75,065 total miles under his rubber.

Today, however, an overseas challenger from the United States gave that British rider’s 76-year-old annual mileage record a run—or a ride, if you will—for its very impressive money.

Last year, on Jan. 10, Kurt “Tarzan” Searvogel of the United States, a software developer and ultracyclist from Arkansas, set out to shatter Godwin’s achievement, a challenge that was also attempted by Steve Abraham of the UK less than two weeks earlier. In a heartbreaker, however, Abraham’s ambitions were upset by a collision with a motorized scooter, the resulting accident keeping him out of commission and in recovery through much of 2015. Only on August 8, eight months later, was Abraham feeling strong enough to try a second attempt.

Other riders, too—like Bruce Berkeley of London, England, who set out to challenge the record on New Year’s Day of this year—have given the presumably indefeasible benchmark set by Godwin in 1939 a valiant attempt. Searvogel, though, has been on the road in pursuit of the achievement for nearly a year. Earlier today, he was reported as within spitting distance of breaking Godwin’s record, barring any last-minute setbacks that may hamper the 53-year-old’s incredible progress.

As of press time, he’s done it.

Even taking a break to get married back in October didn’t set him back. Before that, a struggle with illness slowed him down a little, but he was still able to clock 175 miles per day—putting him close to 60,000 total miles by the end of that month. As an average, reports say, his daily totals have exceeded 200 miles, with a steady pace of 18.1 miles per hour.

Much of that riding has been in a steady loop through Florida, allowing other riders to join him in solidarity. Today, as Searvogel’s ride reached its awe-inspiring conclusion, a banner announced the finish line of the phenomenal undertaking, surrounded by friends and supporters offering their congratulations on his milestone athletic achievement.

Suffice it to say, Kurt Searvogel joined the pantheon of cycling greats on Jan. 4, 2016.