Born into a family of motorcyclists, Bridget McCutcheon experienced the thrill of riding a motorcycle from an early age.
The 22-year-old, who grew up in northern Wisconsin, bought his first bike when he was 19 and soon began taking road trips to places like Baltimore and New York.
But the idea of circumnavigating the world didn't even cross his mind until his older brother told him he was still young enough to break the world record on a motorcycle.
McCutcheon, whose longest trip was from Wisconsin to Washington, said he initially rejected the idea but came back to it.
“After a while, why not?” I thought the only reason I didn't think I would was because I was scared," he told CNN Travel. "I was like 'no,' so I decided to say 'yes' to myself. we are here."
Standard challenge
McCutcheon spent nearly a year planning his route, taking advice from Henry Cruz, 23, who will circumnavigate the globe in 2019, and others who've tried the challenge before. Ken Avellano, who accomplished the feat one day before his 24th birthday in 2017, is currently listed as the world record holder on the Guinness Book of Records website.
In order to become the new record holder, McCutcheon must meet a list of technical conditions, including using the same motorcycle for the entire trip and not staying in the same place for more than two weeks.
McCutcheon must cross the equator at least once by road, while the trip must be at least 24,900 miles (40,075 km) to be eligible.
After saving as much money as he could, McCutcheon hit the road in August and spent the first few weeks "walking around the state" before moving to Baja and crossing the mainland into Mexico by ferry.
He rides with Kiva, a traveling companion he met at this point in the trip a few months earlier, and says they often make a fuss when they get to a new place and take off their helmets.
"People are often very surprised," he says. "It's like they expect men to ride these motorcycles."
McCutcheon, who chronicled his ride on his Instagram account bike.will.travel, hopes to "represent a new generation of cyclists" by attempting this particular record and insists that travel is a way to see the world. There is a big difference between a motorcycle and a car.
"In the car, you're in a bubble traveling around the world," he says. "But you're on a motorcycle subject to everything, good or bad. The sights, the smells, the sounds. Everything is more important to you."
“You're open to anything and it's more attractive. It's more intimate.”
complex transmission
McCutcheon, who has just left Mexico City, plans to slowly reach South America via Brazil, Chile, Argentina and Uruguay before heading to Europe.
"The plan is less," he said. "Because I have to find a place to send my motorcycle, which will take about two months."
After McCutcheon and his bike arrive in Europe, ideally via Spain, McCutcheon hopes to travel through Britain, Ireland and Turkey located between Europe and Asia and "beyond the Caspian Sea".
At this point, there are a limited number of route options for further penetration into Asia, each of which presents significant challenges.
McCutchen originally planned to enter Russia, but this may not be possible due to the ongoing war in Ukraine.
You are unlikely to travel through China or Iran due to border restrictions in the former and political unrest in the latter (the US government advises travelers not to travel to Iran).
"The situation is very complicated," he said. I still think Russia is my best choice.
Once he successfully completes the Asian leg of his trip, McCutcheon aims to ship his bike to Mexico, from whence he will fly back to the United States.
For now, she's focused on getting past the first round and is excited about Mexico's Day of the Dead, also known as Dia de los Muertos, which takes place on the first two days of November.
Of course, motorcycle travel on unfamiliar roads has its own risks, and McCutcheon has sometimes struggled to navigate some of the country's closed road sections.
He had fallen off his bike several times in the sand and "was in close contact with the trucks in some blind corners".
"The mountain passes are much more difficult," he says. Because we avoid toll roads."
Instead of running somewhere, McCutcheon says, he had to learn to slow down and enjoy his surroundings.
Conversation starters
"Usually when I'm riding a motorcycle, I'm going somewhere and I don't have much time," he explains. "Now I have plenty of time."
McCutcheon decided to unpack some of his gear to make things as manageable as possible, and he currently owns two pairs of pants, two shirts, a small air compressor, an extra bottle of fuel, a camp stove, tent, sleeping bag, and photography gear. . and a laptop.
"Some things may seem heavy, but they are actually quite simple," he says.
Although she saved some money before the trip, she soon realized that it wouldn't be enough to cover all her expenses.
She was able to raise money by selling stickers she designed and has a GoFundMe where her followers can donate to.
"At first I was like, 'How am I going to pay for this?'" I said, "he admits. "Because not being anywhere for more than two weeks limits my ability to work on the road."
McCutcheon is very grateful to those who have supported and/or donated to his foundation, acknowledging that the generosity of others is "the main reason I'm able to do this."
He particularly enjoys interacting with locals on the road, stating that his Kawasaki Versus X300 motorcycle has proven to be a great conversation starter.
“People think motorcycles are cool and they come and talk to you,” he says. “It's like a bridge to people. You get more approachable.”
Crossing the barrier
Although he was wary of the potential dangers of riding a motorcycle in unfamiliar country before the trip, McCutcheon says his experience so far has helped put his mind at ease.
"You often hear that the world is very dangerous and you should stay where you are safe," he says.
"It's partly true. It's not like I'm risking my life by doing this. But there are so many beautiful and wonderful things in the world. And I think that outweighs the most terrifying things."
Although the trip has gone relatively well so far, McCutcheon takes nothing for granted, and says he is well aware that his enlistment bid may fail for reasons beyond his control.
He said, "I'm a little worried because I can't go on because something happened." "Like bikes that break down or whatever in the world breaks down."
Of course, if he can break that particular record, there's a chance someone younger than him will come out and set a new record one day.
However, McCutcheon is not at all concerned. In fact, he says he'd be happy to help anyone who wanted to, even if they got beaten up.
"I want others to do the same," he says. Maybe not necessarily for this skill, because not everyone has the time.
"But now if someone comes to me and thinks, 'I want to break this record,' and break it before me. Surgery."
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