Today, eighteen year-old Erin Nelson will begin her attempt to set the world record of becoming the youngest person, as well as the first African American female, to bike around the world. She intends to bike 19,000 miles over the next 24 months.

Erin first got the idea to bike around the world after reading about Alistair Humphrey’s successful attempt. “I was so inspired by Alistair’s dedication and strength and wanted to pass along that sense of motivation to others and encourage them to live an active life,” says Nelson. “Hopefully people can follow me on this journey, something that seemed so unobtainable, and realize that they too can make their aspirations a reality. I’m also looking forward to seeing the world and really experiencing life. You only get one go at it, right?”

Nelson’s route will take her from Fresno, CA towards Las Vegas, NV, through New Mexico, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, Virginia, Pennsylvania, finishing the US tour in New York. From there she will take a plane to Morocco, then on to Europe, through China and Thailand. From Thailand she will fly to British Columbia, Canada, and finish her journey back to Fresno. She expects the ride will take her slightly under 2 years to complete.

Planet Bike is proud to support Erin’s record attempt.