In 2002, Kevin and Julia Sanders set off on their BMW R1150GS to circumnavigate the world.
This was no ordinary tour, they were going to attempt to break the record set by Nick Sanders (no relation) in June 1997.
Although they were both Kevin and Julia were on the same bike, the record had to be set with just one person riding; the other would be a pillion only. So Kevin helmed while Julia took care of everything else - food, water, night stops, massages, pictures, video, witnesses (two per day to sign the log book for the Guiness World Records people)), navigation, freight etc.
They averaged 1,000 miles per day, covering 19,461 miles in total. The trip lasted 19 days 8 hours and 25 minutes, knocking 12½ days off Nick’s record. They also beat the existing car record for by 1 hour and 50 minutes, even though that record allows two drivers to rotate the driving.
Their Guinness World Record motorcycle ride now stands as the fastest overland vehicle around the world and will remain on the books as Guiness no longer accepts entries, deeming it too dengerous to go any faster. Spoilsports.
