Father and son break three world records with ‘incredible’ 18,000-mile cycling journey

A father and son broke three world records after spending a year cycling 18,000 miles around the world.

Josh, 23, and George Kohler, 57, set off on their mammoth challenge on March 29, 2025, from their home near Norwich, Norfolk.

In total, the duo traveled 18,000 miles (30,400 kilometers) and were welcomed home by 70 cyclists, who joined them for the final leg of their journey on May 2, 2026.

They spent 400 days away from home, traveling through South America, Australia, Asia and Europe.

When they arrived home, the all-conquering pair were presented with world record certificates for the fastest bicycle circumnavigation of the world by a father and son, the longest bicycle journey by a father and son, and the most countries visited in a continuous bicycle journey by a father and son.

Previously, the pair cycled from Land’s End, Cornwall, to John O’Groats in Scotland, and completed a 3,728-mile journey from New York City to San Francisco in three months.

Josh, a filmmaker, said, “There were thousands of highlights on this trio.

“One standout moment is when we were cycling through a remote part of Turkey.

“We heard a shout on the hillside, and a shepherd was standing, beckoning us over. We walked up to him, and he offered to share his breakfast with us.

“He had a pot on the campfire. We had eggs, bread and cheese, and we sat there.

“We wouldn’t speak Turkish, and he couldn’t speak English, but we had this incredible interaction with him.”

While Josh was in high school, he was given a talk by adventurer Leon McCarron.

Josh bought his book about cycling through North America and felt “inspired,” so he proposed the idea to his dad.

“At this point, we didn’t have bikes, and we had never cycled before, ” Josh said.

“We then had to learn to get our bodies used to doing long cycles.”

In 2021, the duo cycled from Land’s End, Cornwall, to John O’Groats in Scotland for charity.

And in 2022, they cycled 3,728 miles from New York City to San Francisco in three months.

Two years later, Josh proposed to his dad that they should cycle around the world. His dad, George, a chimney sweep, had a simple response: “Perfect, why not?” The pair were on their way.

George said, “We left our home on March 29, 2025.

“It seemed the most logical route. We were planning to start in London, in Greenwich, and do the Meridian line.

“But we realized there was something nice about leaving your front door, turning east and coming all the way round again.”

From their home, the pair headed to South America, Australia, Asia and Europe before arriving home after 400 days.

The duo said they had a “full range” of low moments over the year. They said in China, the police asked them to leave as they were not welcome.

George said, “One aspect was the involvement of police in China.

“We were in the western side of the country, and there are areas where foreigners aren’t welcome by police — something we weren’t familiar with.

“The first time you realize is when you get a tap on the shoulder by local police.

“They provided transport to move us along, but it is daunting being approached by foreign police.”

Another tricky situation was when the pair were cycling through the Nullarbor Desert, where they said the weather was “brutally hot” with no civilization for seven miles (12km) at a time.

“We definitely had a full range of experience over the year,” Josh said.

“Our bodies were tested day in day out, we were expecting the mental side of things to be tough as we anticipated long sprints.

“One thing we weren’t prepared for was the emotional challenges, when you are with someone for so long, disagreements do happen frequently.

“We had one unwritten rule that we would never go to sleep on an argument.”

The duo said there were many highlights on the way, whether it was having lunch with a local in Serbia or being welcomed by monks offering them food and drink.

They said the final 15 miles (25km) of the trip were special when they were joined by 70 cyclists for the final stretch home on May 2, 2026.

George said, “The final day was extremely emotional seeing friends and family.

“People that I haven’t seen for years and years were there to welcome us.”

Josh added, “Likewise, it was an amazing day.

“Ever since day one, the finish was always at the back of our minds.

“I played out the final day throughout the year, it was incredible — such a special trip.”