Lael Wilcox is one of the best known names in womens cycling. She has won or set records on countless ultra endurance routes over the last ten years.I was so honored to get to sit down with Lael to chat about her plans for a 2024 Around The World record attempt, her womens rallies, what its like being the recipient of so much criticism online, and much more. Listen To The InterviewOr Watch On YouTubeStuff We Discuss In This EpisodeLaels plan for attempting a cycling record around the world, including route planning and challenges.Her experiences with online criticism and its effect on her.Thoughts on being a female role model in cycling and encouraging more women to participate.Tips and advice for women interested in starting bikepacking or racing.How shes developed mental toughness and dealing with discomfort in races.Discussion on avoiding burnout and addressing health issues like sleep deprivation in long races.Why Lael prefers bib shorts and what she does with the chamois. Connect With Lael Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/laelwilcox Website:https://www.laelwilcox.net/More Episodes You Might EnjoyBikepacking For Beginners With Laura HeinerA Bikepacking Adventure Thru Pakistan, India, and Nepal With Eliza SampeyAdventure Cycling & Cartooning With Tegan PhillipsAbout The HostKristen Bonkoski is the founder and owner of Femme Cyclist.An avid cyclist for a few decades now, she took to cycling during her late teen years a time when she needed something to help boost her self-esteem and confidence.Mission accomplished, the sport has become an important part of her life. Kristens favorite disciplines are mountain biking andbike commuting, although youcan also find her crankingout a century on her road bike and touring with her husband and son. If it has to do with two wheels, she enjoys doing it.Kristen is a certified USA Cycling coach, and she runsRascal Rides, a website about biking with kids.IG:@kristenlbonkoskiFull Interview TranscriptTranscript has been edited for clarity.Kristen: Lael, its great to have you here today. Many of our listeners probably know who you are, but for those who dont or are new to cycling, could you introduce yourself?Lael: Absolutely, Kristen. Im Lael Wilcox, originally from Anchorage, Alaska, now living in Tucson, Arizona. Im an ultra-endurance cyclist, participating in races across countries and soon, around the world. My races are typically self-supported, involving days or weeks of continuous riding while managing my own food and lodging needs.Kristen: Youve mentioned your big plan for 2024. Could you share more about that?Lael: Im thrilled to share that Im aiming for the around-the-world cycling record. Its a massive undertaking, requiring a self-planned route of at least 18,000 miles, heading either east or west, and crossing two antipodal points for me, that will be New Zealand and Spain. My wife recently got me a couple of globes to help visualize this dream. The journey involves commercial flights between continents. Its a dream Ive had since my cross-US race in 2016. With a wide-open schedule next summer and a passion for cycling every day, Ive decided to go for it, starting this May in Chicago.Kristen: Will this being the longest race youve ever done change your logistics or daily routine?Lael: Definitely. My longest race before this was 18 days across the US, sleeping about five hours a night. For this race, I plan to sleep five to six hours a night with more frequent maintenance stops. Theres more planning involved, like scheduling bike services, booking plane tickets in advance, and staying in hotels every few nights for charging and rest. My goal is 110 days, averaging 163 miles a day. This gives me some leeway for unexpected events. The current womens record is 124 days, and I aim to beat that by at least two weeks. Its about setting lofty goals, striving for them, and understanding whats possible.Kristen: Are there any areas or sections of your journey that make you nervous?Lael: Not really nervous, more so excited, especially about exploring new places. Im looking forward to riding across Turkey to Georgia. Georgia fascinates me with its high mountains, unique alphabet, and cultural origins of bread and wine. Southeast Asia is also on the list, like riding from Bangkok to Singapore. The logistical aspects, like ensuring my bike arrives safely and dealing with potential breakdowns, can be a bit worrisome. But these challenges are just part of the adventure.Kristen: Will you carry more spare parts than usual?Lael: Not really, but I need to be aware of where the nearest bike shops are, especially in remote areas. The key is to keep riding, even if the bike is not in perfect condition, until I can get it fixed. Worrying about every possible problem isnt helpful, but being prepared is essential.Kristen: And your wife will be accompanying you, right?Lael: Yes, shell be traveling by car to document my ride. In Europe and Asia, shell likely have someone to drive while she focuses on filming. In places like Australia, New Zealand, and North America, the roads are more straightforward, so she might manage on her own.Kristen: Youre well-known in the ultra-endurance cycling community. What sets you apart?Lael: I think its been a combination of factors. Ive been in this sport for almost a decade, and being a woman who has won significant races like the TransAmerica has certainly helped. Making videos about my rides has also connected me with people. They see someone of average height and size accomplishing these feats and think, If she can, maybe I can too. Its about encouraging others to face their fears and try new challenges. I want to inspire, especially women, to believe in their strength and capability. Its not about suffering or being miserable; its about exploring whats possible and not being afraid to try. Seeing women participate and grow in confidence through these experiences is incredibly rewarding. I believe in being kind and tough simultaneously, and I think that resonates with people both in and outside of cycling. Its about taking this mindset into all aspects of life, giving yourself the chance to try new things, and being okay with the uncertainty of the outcome.Kristen: Youve been a lightning rod for criticism and mean comments. Has this affected your joy in biking or pursuing your goals?Lael: While it hasnt taken away my joy in biking, it definitely hurts. Its tough being the subject of unfounded accusations and rumors. The online space has grown with people quick to criticize without face-to-face interaction, which feels cowardly. My approach has been to focus on the positive and avoid negative spaces. Despite many uplifting comments, its human nature to dwell on the negative ones. But, Ive learned to let it go. The more exposure you get, the more criticism follows, and I understand that not everyone will be happy.Kristen: Do you think some criticism, particularly from men, is due to gatekeeping in the ultra-endurance community?Lael: Yes, a lot of it feels extremely sexist. Whats more hurtful is when it comes from women in the community. Its disheartening when were already few in number. I see men in similar roles not facing the same scrutiny. I believe in sharing stories rather than tearing others down, but the inconsistency in treatment is evident. The goal of my videos is to encourage more people, especially women, to try these challenges. When women in the sport get attacked, it sends a discouraging message, but I dont believe adding more negativity is the solution.Kristen: Have there been women who have lifted you up in this journey?Lael: Absolutely! There are many women who have inspired me, like moms who balance family and their passion for cycling. Direct human interactions, like going on rides or bikepacking trips, truly change lives and culture. I organize womens bikepacking rallies to foster this community spirit. Its about transforming individual lives and empowering them to become leaders in their communities.Kristen: Could you tell us a bit about the womens bikepacking rallies you organize?Lael: Sure! We organize rallies where we cover about four hundred miles over eight days, primarily in mountainous regions. Weve hosted five in Europe and one in Tucson. The rallies attract 50 to 70 women of all ages, ranging from 19 to 70 years old. We provide a route, a start time, a pre-ride dinner, and a finishers party. The participants choose their daily distance, sleeping spots, and riding companions. The rallies are non-competitive and focus on the experience of being out there. The growth has been tremendous, from 21 participants in the first year to over 1600 applicants for a rally in Slovenia. We keep the groups small, especially as the routes often pass through remote towns. The presence of a large group of women cyclists is still a rare and exciting sight in many of these places.Kristen: Thats incredible. In my experience with a womens bikepacking group in Idaho, weve seen similar reactions in small towns. Its quite a sight for the locals!Lael: Exactly, its an exhilarating experience for everyone involved. Seeing a group of women cyclists is still unusual and its exciting for people we meet along the way.Kristen: What advice would you give to a woman interested in bikepacking or bikepack racing?Lael: For beginners, I recommend starting with an overnight trip. Choose a destination, pack your bike, navigate, sleep out, and return. This helps build confidence and familiarizes you with the essentials. For those with more experience, choose a route that truly inspires you. The desire to explore and experience beauty is crucial, as it keeps you motivated during challenging moments. Its important to pick something that matches your effort and enthusiasm.Kristen: Do you think mental toughness is natural for you, or have you developed it over time?Lael: I believe Ive become mentally tougher over time. Dealing with discomfort, like extreme cold, becomes more manageable with experience. Ive learned to be less reactive to pain and discomfort, recognizing these as familiar challenges. Ive always been driven, but now Im less hard on myself, even though I might put myself in tougher situations.Kristen: How do you manage to ride so many miles without getting burnt out?Lael: Ive definitely experienced burnout, but my tolerance has increased. I keep coming back to it because I love being outdoors, exploring beautiful places, and creating rich memories. Theres a kind of selective memory for the pain, similar to forgetting how bad it is to be swarmed by mosquitoes once youre away from it.Kristen: What about the health aspects, like sleep deprivation and extreme physical exertion?Lael: Being outdoors and cycling is healthy, but pushing your body to extreme limits isnt. Sleep deprivation, especially in races where you go days without proper rest, is probably the worst aspect. Ive realized that races that take a week or more are better because they necessitate sleep. Lack of sleep affects decision-making and physical well-being, so even a short rest can be beneficial for performance.Kristen: One common concern among women is discomfort from sitting on a bike for extended periods. Any advice on that?Lael: It varies from person to person, but I dont use a chamois and have a comfortable saddle. Standing up frequently and moving around on the bike helps. Its important to keep trying different shorts, saddles, and positions until you find what works. Gradually increasing riding time before a big event also helps in building tolerance.Kristen: I read that you cut the chamois out of your shorts. Do you still do that?Lael: Yes, I still do. I prefer bibs with shoulder straps rather than a waist strap, so I just cut the chamois out.Kristen: Your approach inspired me to try that as well. Ive never liked riding with chamois, and cutting it out was a revelation.Lael: Its especially useful for bikepacking. When youre out day after day, a dirty chamois that cant be washed and dried properly becomes a problem. Cutting it out simplifies things a lot.Kristen: Absolutely. Before I ask my final questions, where can people follow your journey? And do you have any sponsors youd like to mention?Lael: You can find a bunch of my videos on YouTube by searching my name, and Im also on Instagram. Im fortunate to do this as a job and have been sponsored since 2018. Im currently sponsored by Specialized, Wahoo, and Rapha. For my around-the-world trip, Ill have a tracking page up, and I hope people will join me for parts of the ride. My route in North America is set, so it would be great to have folks ride along with me.Kristen: That sounds fantastic. What bike or bikes are you currently riding?Lael: Im heading to Alaska next week for the Iditarod, so Ill be on a fat bike, a Corvus, an Alaskan brand, to acclimate for the race. Ive been in sunny Arizona, so I need to adjust to the cold and snow. Besides that, I mostly ride specialized road and mountain bikes. I enjoy mixing it up long rides, trail riding, and road cycling. No downhill stuff for me, though.Kristen: Whats your favorite place to ride?Lael: There are so many incredible places. Alaska, my home state, is always special because of its unique beauty. Last year, we had a rally in the Canary Islands, which was like being in Jurassic Park. The islands are so diverse some volcanic, some lush and green. Connecting the islands by ferry was fantastic. I also love riding in places with mountains, like Switzerland and Italy, for both the stunning scenery and the delicious food. Kyrgyzstan was another standout for its breathtaking Alpine views. Essentially, Im happiest anywhere with expansive, mountainous vistas.Kristen: Your answer might change after your around-the-world trip next year!Lael: Absolutely, Im sure it will!Kristen: Finally, what do you love most about riding your bike?Lael: The most thrilling part is the start that first pedal stroke, moving from indoors to outdoors, or rolling out of the tent. Its exhilarating to feel the wind as you begin a journey. Riding during the most beautiful times, like sunrise or sunset, is extraordinary. These moments feel like stolen time, when the world is typically asleep or busy, and youre there to witness something magical. Those experiences are truly special.Are You Listening To The Femme Cyclist Podcast?!?A podcast for women who love bicycles! We we celebrate all forms of riding and all forms of women, so whether youre a road cyclist, mountain biker, or bike commuter, youll find your community here. Each week well week bring you interviews from inspiring women, and offer tips and tricks to help you thrive on the bike.The post Lael Wilcox Interview: Biking Around The World appeared first on Femme Cyclist.