- Bike Bulletin
- Posts
- I'm Attempting a New World Record
I'm Attempting a New World Record
Plus, the VTXL and Stats for the Nerds
Sam Westby
September 04, 2025
Welcome to the Bike Bulletin.
—Sam Westby @samcwestby
This is a weekly newsletter about bike trips, urban cycling, and a love for two-wheeled transit. The more time you spend on a bike, the better. I share new editions every Thursday, gearing you up for the ride ahead.
Here’s what we have today.
🌍 REPORT: Heading North for a New World Record
🗺️ ROUTE: The VTXL
🎥 WATCH: The Baja Divide FKT
📰 NEWS: Bikeshare records and low-budget traffic calming
RIDE REPORT
I’m Headed North
Not the typical way.
I’ll start in Northern Georgia on Saturday, 9/6, and make my way through 19 U.S. States in 1 Week. This will be a new 1-week Guinness World Record. I’m going to be raising money along the way.
As of the morning on September 4th (fewer than 24 hours after launching the campaign), we’ve already raised $1650 for Shoes That Fit! They get new pairs of brand-name shoes for children in need. In 2024, we raised enough money for 310 children when I attempted the GPS Cycling Art World Record.
This year, I’m hoping to raise $14000 for 466 pairs of shoes. It’s $30 per pair.
You can find the fundraiser here: https://fundraise.givesmart.com/e/RhE3EQ?vid=1lc683
On Saturday, I’ll get to the start of my route and start a week of non-stop riding. My route will be somewhere between 1320 miles (2124 km) and 1360 miles (2189 km) with 75000 feet (22860 m) of climbing. I cross the Appalachian range a few times and probably won’t always be on the prettiest roads.
The bike is dialed in. Trek Madone SL7 Gen 8 with clip-on aerobars and 8L of storage. No camping, just hotels. It feels a little wrong, but staying lightweight feels SO GOOD when I’m climbing.
ROUTE ON MY RADAR
The VTXL
Here’s what you’d be getting yourself into.
302 miles (486 km) with 30600 feet (9300 meters) of climbing
90% unpaved
Gravel bike recommended (40-45mm tires)
From the top of Vermont to the bottom
The best gravel in the entire United States
I’ve attempted this route twice and had to bail both times. Third try’s the charm? I’ll give it another go in October. In the fall, the beauty is overwhelming.
WHAT I’M WATCHING
The Baja Divide FKT for ALS
In January 2022, Miron Golfman attempted to break the Fastest Known Time (FKT) on the 1,600-mile Baja Divide route. It’s a remote, sandy, and tough route through the Baja Peninsula in Mexico.
Watch on YouTube
43 Months. The growth streak of Washington D.C.’s Capital Bikeshare program. (ggwash.com)
Bakersfield, CA. This city is defending its bike lanes against a Kern County grand jury challenge. Those stats don’t lie. Bike lanes in Bakersfield reduce vehicle-cyclist accidents by ~50%. (Bakersfield.com)
$10,000. The low-budget cost to add traffic calming infrastructure to two small-town CA intersections. (Strong Towns)
Indianapolis, IN. The Pacers Bikeshare program will expand to Butler University. (Indianapolis Recorder)
A Note From Sam
Reply to this email and let me know what sections you liked / topics you’d like me to write about.
To share this email, you can forward it or send someone this link: https://bikebulletin.beehiiv.com/subscribe.
