Chasing Lael Wilcox: Inspiring the Global Cycling Community

I’ve only “met” Lael Wilcox once when she graciously agreed to be interviewed for my blog. I was struck by how remarkably humble, kind, driven, and friendly she was, not to mention an amazing ultra-endurance cyclist. Since that interview, I’ve been following her races and adventures.

When I heard that Lael was starting her record-breaking around-the-world attempt from Chicago, I invited her and her wife Rue to stay at my home. It turns out that Rue grew up in the Chicagoland area, and her family still resided here, so she politely declined, saying they were all set.

On May 26, 2024, Lael set out from Chicago, heading east around the world. I had grand plans to see her off and bring a posse of cycling friends, but my schedule wouldn’t allow it. Instead, thousands of cyclists worldwide and I spent the next few months watching her tracker dot, listening to the daily podcasts, gawking at her Strava stats, and checking out her Instagram account.

As Lael neared the end of her journey, several cycling groups I belong to were monitoring her finish in Chicago. It was very fluid because she was crushing it by putting in 200-mile days instead of slowing down. It was insane! I cleared my calendar for the later part of the week, figuring she’d finish on Friday or Saturday. Then, word came out that she’d be finishing on Thursday. I scrambled to clear my calendar for Thursday. Then, on Tuesday, September 10, she announced she’d end the day in Lincoln, Illinois, and ride to Chicago the following day. Did I mention this was fluid? Thank goodness I’m retired now.

I spent about an hour poring over her daily Strava posts, attempting to calculate her speed and the best place to intercept the route. My master plan? Drive over an hour to Frankfort, Illinois, bike the route backward to Manhattan, Illinois, and cross my fingers to catch her in time. Texting with a few folks from the Gravel Goofballs (GG) and a few other cyclists, we agreed on the plan.

I woke early on Wednesday morning and started watching Lael’s tracking dot. She usually started her ride day between 7-8 am. Today, Lael was like a horse racing back to the barn. She was averaging 22.5 mph, and mind you, this was day 108 of her record-breaking ride around the world! This was insane!!!

Did I mention it was fluid? I decided to leave my house an hour earlier than planned. I packed up a potpourri of snacks for Lael and my trusty cowbell. It was an unusually hot day with a high of 90 degrees, and I racked my brain on how to deliver cold water to her, but even a frozen bottle would melt by the time I reached Manhattan. I parked at a trailhead and rode south on the Old Plank Road Trail, weaving through some streets to the Wauponsee Glacial Trail until it ended in Manhattan.  

When I arrived, I messaged Rusty, one of the Gravel Goofballs meeting me, that I was at Elwood Road in Manhattan. He messaged me that he was at Elwood Manhattan Road. We went back and forth a few times because it didn’t make sense why we couldn’t find each other. Finally, we realized he was just up the trail at a different Elwood Road.

We opted to wait at a trailhead that offered shade, water, and a bathroom – all incentives for Lael to stop for a photo op and give us time to jump on her train. Checking the tracking dot, she was still about an hour away and cruising at 22.5 mph. While we were waiting, T.J., another GG, joined the party.

At last, we spotted Lael in the distance, leading a pack of four cyclists chasing her like a modern-day calvary. I whipped out my cowbell to welcome her and yelled, “We got snacks, we got snacks.” As she neared, we got a flash of that trademark smile and a quick wave, but it was apparent that this train was not stopping or slowing down. I stopped videoing, stowed my phone and cowbell as fast as possible, and the three of us took off in hot pursuit.

Riding my gravel bike, my heart beating out of my chest, I did my darndest to catch a wheel. Did I mention they were going 22.5 mph? I usually only hit that speed going downhill with a tailwind. The conversation in my head was hysterical, “This is a chance in a lifetime, don’t give up. You didn’t drive an hour and ride 20 miles to ride back to the car alone. Surely, they’ll slow down eventually…right?”

As our now eight-strong peloton barreled down the trail, I realized I was the solo woman in the group aside from Lael. A few miles into the chase, we zoomed past two more cyclists waiting on the side of the trail – one of whom was Tiger, another GG member. Yes, another female! Along the way, riders would jump on and off the Lael train, a testament to her open invitation to cycle with her. It’s proof of the incredible community spirit that cyclists around the world share.

A freight train stopped us at one point, and I thanked the cycling gods. It allowed me to catch my breath, have a quick chat with Lael while trying to respect her space and snap a selfie. She was beyond gracious, talking to everyone, smiling, and enjoying the day. Lael also looked like she had just started her ride—no sweat, no salt stains, just fresh as a daisy. On the other hand, I was covered in sweat and salt, and my heart beat out of my chest. According to Strava, Lael was in Zone 2 most of the day, while yours truly was in Zone 4.

Once the freight train passed, Lael was off again like a shot. There was one more stop further down the trail where we met up with Rue, who is an amazing photojournalist, and documenting Lael’s ride around the world. Lael downed a cold Coke, posed for a few more selfies with some of the riders, and we took off again.

I managed to hang on for 12.5 miles before getting spit out the back and slogging the next 8 miles back to my car. Exhausted but exhilarated, it was an incredible experience to be a part of Lael’s historic ride. I sent texts to friends poised to join her for the final leg along the Chicago Lakeshore Path to Buckingham Fountain, wishing them luck in keeping up with her and requesting they send photos.

Though I regret missing the celebration of this amazing accomplishment at the finish line, having ridden with Lael in a smaller group is a memory I’ll always cherish. Lael shattered Jenny Graham’s 2018 world record of 124 days and 11 hours, and I witnessed a piece of history firsthand. (Read my interview with Jenny here.)

Lael’s final world record stats:

108 days, 12 hours and 12 minutes

18,125 miles

Sheri’s Strava stats:

45:05 minutes

12.5 miles

Zone 4

4th place Strava cup (0:01 seconds off Lael’s 3rd place)