Cycle

Pedalling 30,000km Around the Globe: Father-Son Duo Pursues Guinness World Record

Father-Son Duo Cycling 30,000km around the world toward a Guinness World Record

Josh and George Kohler are attempting to become the first father and son to cycle 30,000km around the world in 365 days, raising funds for UNICEF and inspiring a global community of adventurers.

Josh and George Kohler aren’t your average cyclists. Three years after riding 6,000km across the United States, they’re back in the saddle and this time, attempting to cycle around the world in just 365 days.

Their mission? They intend to break two Guinness World Records and become the first father and son duo to ever complete a global circumnavigation by bike.

They’ve just begun their year-long trek that will span over 30,000km across 29+ countries, and they’re doing it all while raising money for UNICEF to support children in need around the world.

We caught up with Josh and George to hear about their epic journey so far, the gear they're using, and what it takes to pedal around the globe together.

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🔧 The Gear That Keeps Them Rolling

Q: What bikes are you and your dad riding for this record-breaking journey around the world?

Customised Trek 920s. This includes suspension seatposts and stems from Redshift Sports and hand-built wheels from August Bicycles, and Brooks saddles.

Q: What essential gear have you brought along?

Tent, sleeping bags and pads, camping gear, spares and repair kit, first aid kit, navigation systems and trackers,

Q: How has Quad Lock helped you stay connected, navigate, and document your route while cycling across 25+ countries?

Quad Lock has been an essential part of my cycling setup so far. It’s kept my phone securely mounted through every terrain — from busy city streets to remote mountain trails — allowing me to easily navigate, stay connected, and capture moments on the go. I can ride with ease and focus fully on the journey, knowing everything I need is right at my fingertips.

🌍 Life on the Road: Riding, Camping & Content Creation

Q: What does a typical day on the road look like, from sunrise to sundown?

While every day brings something new, we usually hit the road nice and early, stopping for a quick coffee and breakfast along the way which has usually been some bread or a pastry. Most days involve 6–7 hours of cycling, with a break around midday to fuel up with lunch — we always try to find authentic, local food wherever we are. After reaching our accommodation for the night, it’s time to shower, eat, back up our footage, and edit our daily content. Once we’ve posted our updates, it’s straight to bed to recharge and get ready to do it all over again the next day.

Q: What does accommodation look like on the road? Are you camping, staying in hostels, or relying on the kindness of locals, and how does each experience differ? For example, how long does it typically take to set up and pack down camp each day?

Accommodation on the road so far has been a mix depending on where. One of our favourite ways to stay is through Warm Showers — it’s a global network where locals host cyclists, we get a comfortable bed for the night and tasty food. It’s an amazing way to experience a place from a local perspective and meet some awesome people along the way. We've had some incredible experiences through it, although it doesn’t always go to plan! In Ljubljana, for example, we had to book a last-minute Airbnb when our host let us know they wouldn’t be back until 9PM — which is way past our usual bedtime after a long day of riding.

We’re also relying on our Nordisk Oppland 3W tent for camping — it’s become our little home on the road and we’ll be relying more heavily on this setup as we navigate remote landscapes on our journey.

Q: On top of riding all day, how are you managing content creation, filming, editing, and posting?

Managing content creation on top of riding all day is definitely a challenge! I usually post a few days behind real time, so I keep a bank of content ready to go. Having that buffer takes a little bit of pressure off and lets me focus on enjoying the ride. This trip is also special because the content creation is a real team effort — my dad, George, is creating and posting daily videos too. It’s been amazing to share the workload and the creative process with him along the way

Knowing that people are invested in our journey is a huge motivation — it makes all the early mornings editing and late-night posting feel worth it.

❤️ Moments That Matter

Q: What’s been your favourite moment or encounter so far during this journey?

The random kindness of strangers, rescuing tortoises and watching the sun set over Kavala.

Q: What’s been the best meal or unexpected local dish you've had on the road?

A lot of our meals are quick and on the go, with plenty of pit stops at Lidl along the way. We’ve also experienced incredible kindness from strangers along the way. In Serbia, we were taking a break at a bus stop when two locals invited us into their home for a delicious lunch, where we got to try authentic Serbian food — it’s moments like that which really make the journey unforgettable.

Q: What has been the toughest mental hurdle to overcome so far?

The first week was definitely the toughest. It took time to settle into a routine, figure out our roles, and share responsibilities. On top of that, it was overwhelming as the reality hit — after months of planning, this was now our life for the next year. We were also battling constant tiredness as our bodies adjusted to the demands of cycling every single day. It was a lot to process all at once, both physically and mentally.

It really made us appreciate that we’re doing this together as father and son — having each other for support has made all the difference.

Q: And what’s been the most physically demanding part of the ride to date?

One of the most physically demanding days so far was Day 9 through Germany. It started with a brutal, steep uphill climb, so steep that we actually had to dismount and push our bikes, which definitely tested our legs and patience. After finally reaching the top, we were looking forward to an easier downhill, but a strong headwind made even the descent a challenge. To top it off, our navigation app led us off-road onto a path that barely qualified as a road, making the ride even tougher. What kept us going was seeing the snowy peaks of the Alps in the distance, which we would be reaching in a few days time.

🚴‍♂️ Why They Ride

Q: What do you hope people take away from your story?

Through this journey, we hope to inspire people to step outside their comfort zones, explore the world, and take on challenges that might feel impossible. There’s so much growth, perspective, and joy that comes from pushing yourself to your limits. We also hope to encourage others to make time for the people who matter most — to share adventures, create memories, and make memories that last a lifetime.

Beyond the personal side, a big part of our mission is to raise awareness of the challenges children face across the world. We want to highlight the incredible work UNICEF is doing to support children, and hopefully inspire others to get involved and make a difference too.

Q: What advice would you give to someone dreaming of their adventure or world ride?

My advice would be: just start. The idea of a big adventure can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to have everything figured out from day one. Planning is important, but there will always be things you can only learn along the way, and remember that every challenge you face will make the experience even more meaningful. Most importantly, don’t wait for the “perfect” moment — it rarely comes. Chase the dream now and embrace the highs and the lows that come with it.

Q: You're cycling for UNICEF – where can people donate and support your cause?

If you'd like to support our cycling journey for UNICEF, you can donate directly through our JustGiving page: https://www.justgiving.com/page/georgeandjoshpedaltheplanet

Every contribution helps UNICEF continue its vital work supporting children worldwide.

UNICEF

If you're unable to donate, you can still make a significant impact by sharing our content on social media and spreading the word about our journey with friends and family. By raising awareness, you help us reach more people and make an even bigger impact.

Thank you to everyone who is a part of our journey and helping us make a difference!

DONATE HERE