Over 100 years before Iván Cervantes took the world record for distance covered in 24 hours, The Motor Cycle reported on Australian, Harold Parsons, who set the record down under at 1,114½ miles (1793 km) in 1920 on his Indian Scout
When the 24 hours had elapsed, Parsons had completed 48 laps of a 23 mile triangular gravel course from Sale to Stratford, across to Maffra and back to Sale. He averaged 26 minute laps in the daylight and 28 minutes in the night, with very poor lighting. Each lap, he was airborne for 13 metres as he crossed the rail line near Sale.
Even when the 24 hours had elapsed, Parson continued flat out, and had to be chased down by officials in an 8-cylinder Buick, who marked the precise spot that he had reached at the 24-hour point. He spent 22 hours 13 minutes actually riding, the remainder of the time being spent refuelling, changing batteries for the additional lighting on the Indian and briefly taking nourishment. Records show that he survived the ride on tea and toast, but stopped at the 12-hour mark for steak, poached eggs and plum pudding!
In recognition of the achievement, he was awarded a medal with 1114 and one half diamonds (one for each mile covered) set in a 15 carat gold base, which is today valued at over $200,000.