South Africa wasn’t on Kevin Record’s initial itinerary during his cycling trip around the world.
However, Record described his leap of faith from Greece as the “perfect substitution.”
Record celebrated Thanksgiving 2025 on the Western Cape of South Africa in Bredasdorp – day 191 and 8,110 miles into his 12-14 month journey that will feature over 18,000 miles of cycling and 24,000 miles total.
He has checked off 15 countries so far.
“It’s absolutely gorgeous – and I am still on track,” Record told the Tallahassee Democrat in a text. “This wasn’t in the original plan. But I had to pivot from Greece. The Outback was too hot and lonely.
“This was the perfect substitution.”
Leon tennis coach Kevin Record raising money for Alzheimer
Record, 65, who is also providing daily updates from his journey on his Facebook account, departed Tallahassee from Leon High School in August.
The Lions’ tennis coach is determined to become the oldest person to circumnavigate the globe by bicycle to establish a Guinness World Record and raise money and awareness for the Alzheimer’s Association in honor of his late parents, Wayne and Jane Record.
When Record recently shared on social media he planned to pivot from Greece to South Africa, many cautioned him to be careful to the country’s high crime rate.
However, Record has found locals welcoming and the scenery beautiful.
Still, Mother Nature challenged Record on Thanksgiving Day.
Pedaling into 28-mph headwinds, Record traversed a washboard dirt road (repeating wavy ridges) that blew out the back tire on his bicycle.
He had to walk three miles to a bike shop, where staff “got me rolling again. Super cool dudes at the bike shop.”
Record then rolled into Thanksgiving dinner of steak, chicken and French fries at a restaurant across the street from his bed and breakfast lodging.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Kevin Record’s cycling trip around the world now includes South Africa
Reporting by Jim Henry, Tallahassee Democrat / Tallahassee Democrat
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
