Couple sets Guinness record for traveling around the world on motorbike

The couple often sleep in tents to save money on their trips.

Lavi Scholl and Ollie Gamblin first went on a long-distance motorbike trip a few years ago. They are now recognised by the Guinness World Records as the Youngest Couple to circumnavigate the world on a motorbike.

Lavi from Germany and Ollie from the UK visited 39 countries during their 589-day trip. They also got married on their way to Las Vegas, USA, last year.

"We didn't know how long it would take and if we would make it to the end," Ollie said, recalling the couple's decision to travel the world by motorbike.

They first met while working on a farm in Australia. After leaving Australia, they spent 5.5 months backpacking across New Zealand and discovered a shared passion for road travel.

Initially, they planned to travel around the world by bicycle but found it difficult so they switched to motorbikes. They contacted the Guinness World Records organization to submit their application, preparing to conquer the record.

To be recognized, both must meet requirements such as starting and ending at the same place, moving continuously in one direction, and passing through two antipodal points.

Lavi and Ollie were loaned a Suzuki V-Strom 1050XT by a UK motorcycle dealer for the record-breaking journey. They marked their route around the world on Google Maps and asked people to donate money to fund the trip and buy the necessary equipment.

The plan was delayed due to Covid-19. They set off in April 2022, starting at Ace Cafe, a popular destination for bikers in northwest London, England. At the time, many countries had not yet opened their borders, but the pair believed that borders would gradually open.

When planning, they prioritize choosing places that do not require a Carnet De Passage, a "passport" for cars and motorbikes, to save costs. They also research destinations that are easy or do not require a visa to ensure that their travel is not interrupted. To reduce costs, they prioritize camping outdoors as much as possible, limit eating out. They often cook their own food, do not party at places they visit, and do not drink alcohol.

During the first few months, they fell a lot because they were not used to the terrain or the roads were bad, winding, and steep. When they arrived in Senegal, they sent their motorbike to Brazil but it was lost in transit. They were stuck for 7 weeks without a vehicle. At that time, they felt discouraged and wondered if they could complete their plan.

The couple took a photo with the motorbike as they traveled around the world to set a record. They have now returned the bike to its sponsor.

When they found their car, they considered it “the happiest day of their lives” and continued to travel across Brazil, Bolivia, and Peru. The South American countries left a deep impression on them. One of the most difficult challenges was crossing the Andes, where they suffered from altitude sickness and faced blizzards and lightning storms. After reaching Argentina, Lavi and Ollie traveled to Chile, Ecuador, Colombia, then Panama and into the United States. During their four-day stay in Las Vegas, they held a quick wedding ceremony after six years of engagement.

After the wedding, they continued their record-setting journey, traveling through Canada before flying the car to Seoul, South Korea. They traveled to Russia by train and then entered Mongolia. Ollie was impressed by Mongolia because he had to ride a motorbike after breaking his ribs in a previous fall. In return, they got to see the country's breathtaking natural scenery.

After travelling through Central Asia, they reached Kazakhstan, crossed back into Europe and returned to the UK. For the final part of their journey, Lavi and Ollie were accompanied by a group of motorbike riders, including those who had been following their journey since the start.

Lavi and Ollie take souvenir photos when they arrive in South America

Ollie said a number of riders had come to pick them up and ride with them on the final leg to the finish line. He didn’t know any of them, but they had all come to support them as they completed their mission. They returned to London on November 19, 2023, to a warm welcome from family and friends. They sat at the same table in the cafe they had sat at more than a year earlier.

After submitting all the necessary paperwork to Guinness World Records, the couple received recognition as the Youngest Couple to circumnavigate the world on a motorbike in June 2024.

The couple said they are planning their next adventure.

TH (according to VnExpress)

Source: https://baohaiduong.vn/vo-chong-lap-ky-luc-guinness-di-vong-quanh-the-gioi-bang-xe-may-386329.html