On Saturday (09/02/2023), Leandro Carlos da Silva, known as “Léo Pedalando pelo Mundo”, completed the 22,434.79 kilometer unsupported crossing from Prudhoe Bay in Alaska to Ushuaia in Argentina, setting a new unsupported Pan American record .
Brazilian lion cycles around the world
The cyclist from Caldas Novas, Goiás, Brazil, began his attempt to set a new world record on May 30, 2023 in Prudhoe Bay in northern Alaska. The goal: to reach Bahia Lapataia in Ushuaia, at the southern tip of South America, in less than 97 days.
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On September 2, 2023, Léo reached his goal after 95 days, 16 hours and 57 minutes, surpassing the previous unassisted record of 02 days, 04 hours and 12 minutes. He covered 22,434.79 km with 123,803 meters of altitude* and crossed 15 countries, several time zones and all climate zones on earth.
In addition to this record, he also set the new record for the fastest unassisted crossing from North America (Proudhoe Bay) to Central America (Panama City) in 49 days. The previous record for the same route was 52 days.
Léo didn’t have a support vehicle following him, so he was the one who had to carry his equipment, charge his electronics, as well as wash his own clothes and buy his food. If he couldn’t find a hotel in the towns he stayed in, he stayed in his camping tent or slept outside on the side of the highways along the route.
Brazilian lion cycles around the world
It faced a wide variety of weather and extreme conditions: extreme cold in Alaska, fires in Canada, extreme heat waves and hailstorms in the United States and Mexico, difficulties crossing borders in Central America, lack of internet and electricity in Venezuela, precarious roads (without asphalt ) in Brazil and Bolivia, cold and contrary winds in Argentine Patagonia.
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The bike used was a gravel bike and underwent three inspections throughout the crossing. The first in the United States, the second in Panama and the third in Brazil. 4 sets of tires, 4 cassettes and 8 chains were used throughout the crossing. The bike used was a Swift Carbon Univox, the components used were from Shimano and the crown was from Ictus.
Léo cycled every 95 days without a day of rest. On average, 236.15 km were covered per day. In 2022, he attempted to break the record but had to postpone his dream due to health problems. In this more prepared year, equipped with a camping tent, he determined, with the help of experts, the route he wanted to follow before even leaving Brazil, and these were key factors in achieving his goal.
Congratulations Leo!