On 29th June 2022, Irish man, Bryan Taaffe completed the Solo and Unsupported bike ride around Australia in 43 days 23 hours and 1 minute.
The RRAA Around Australia rules (first recognised in 1996 by Guinness World Records and Cycling Australia) require a minimum distance of 14,200km. Peter Heal, rode a longer route of 14,913km, taking 48d 23hr 37m, 12 years ago. Bryan rode a total of 15,006km in 43d 23hr 1m. Pete’s statistics:
In Bryan’s words: “I would like to congratulate Pete on his outstanding effort in achieving his record, hats off to him on his max effort into Sydney on the last few days. He put in a serious effort with long days and little sleep. Well done to Pete.”
Bryan used Strava for tracking his ride. He followed Erik Starrup’s Google Earth route closely. Pete’s tracking details (spot tracker) have been removed from the internet, Bryan contacted Pete looking for his route information. He sent maps that were missing control points that Bryan needed to pass. Therefore, Bryan had to follow Erik’s route. Erik was very helpful and provided the correct 28 points and maps needed for Bryan’s trip.
Bryan’s Extra kms
| State | Location |
| QLD | Coolangatta, Tweed Heads to Gympie (Bikes not allowed on highway, a lot of climbing) |
| QLD | Mackay, went Marian Hampden Rd by Cane fields |
| QLD | Townsville, through the town (Bikes not allowed on Ring Rd) |
| GLD | Normanton, and return |
| NT | Katherine to Pine Creek, and return |
| WA | Broome, return to main highway |
| WA | Karratha, and return |
| WA | Neaves Rd to Joondulap, North Perth |
| WA | Dunsborough to Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse, and return (Lot of climbing) |
| SA | Robe to Millicent, went coastal Rd |
Bryan is raising money for ALIVE, youth mental health. All funds raised are greatly appreciated. Link attached should you wish to support: https://bit.ly/lapofoz
Bryan’s Tracking information
Bryan’s Statistics
Bryan’s Average Statistics (per day)
| Moving Time | 11:12:00:00 |
| Distance | 341.06km |
| Speed | 30.33km/hr |
| Calories | 7,691 |
Peter Heal’s Statistics
Bryan vs Pete Statistics
Bryan rode a total of 15,006km, 93km more than the previous record holder Peter Heal who totaled 14,913km. Bryan climbed a total of 68,990m, which is 15,795m more than the previous record of 53,195km. Bryan’s total moving time was 493 hours and 23 minutes, 110 hours an 7 minutes less than the previous record of 603 hours and 30 minutes. Bryan’s average km per day was 341.06km, 35.53km more than the previous record of 305.53km. Bryan completed his ride in 43d 23hr and 1m, which is nearly 5 days faster than the previous record of 48d 23hr 37m.
Approving the record
Peter Heal approved Bryan’s record on the 16th August 2022:
Record Holders Leaderboard
| Date | Rider | Country | Time | Dist(km) |
| June 2022 | BRYAN TAAFFE | Ireland | 43d 23hr 1m | 15,006 |
| June 2010 | PETER HEAL | Australia | 48d 23h 37m | 14,913 |
| May 2008 | ERIK STRAARUP | Denmark | 51d 47m | 14,611 |
| September 2004 | EUGEN SCHILTER | Australia | 55d 17h 8m | 14,430 |
| January 2003 | PERRY STONE | Canada | 57.4d | 14,187 |
| June 1931 | ARTHUR WAKELING | ~135d | 15,320 | |
| February 1900 | RICHARDSON, ARTHUR CHARLES JESTON | 243d | 18,507 |
Links to Bryan’s daily updates on Strava
1 https://www.strava.com/activities/7156784070
2 https://www.strava.com/activities/7162618310
3 https://www.strava.com/activities/7167391925
4 https://www.strava.com/activities/7172753122
5 https://www.strava.com/activities/7177623553
6 https://www.strava.com/activities/7184847724
7 https://www.strava.com/activities/7188233665 and https://www.strava.com/activities/7189350755
8 https://www.strava.com/activities/7194277272
9 https://www.strava.com/activities/7199625209
10 https://www.strava.com/activities/7204809859
11 https://www.strava.com/activities/7209717912
12 https://www.strava.com/activities/7215213982
13 https://www.strava.com/activities/7221351566
14 https://www.strava.com/activities/7224831352
15 https://www.strava.com/activities/7231268933
16 https://www.strava.com/activities/7236526444
17 https://www.strava.com/activities/7242888746
18 https://www.strava.com/activities/7246743872
19 https://www.strava.com/activities/7259212127
20 https://www.strava.com/activities/7259212625
21 https://www.strava.com/activities/7264860853
22 https://www.strava.com/activities/7269430507
23 https://www.strava.com/activities/7275134087
24 https://www.strava.com/activities/7280609192
25 https://www.strava.com/activities/7284789284
26 https://www.strava.com/activities/7290936780
27 https://www.strava.com/activities/7296848445
28 https://www.strava.com/activities/7301378622
29 https://www.strava.com/activities/7307061193
30 https://www.strava.com/activities/7312699236
31 https://www.strava.com/activities/7318621803
32 https://www.strava.com/activities/7323257310
33 https://www.strava.com/activities/7327371430
34 https://www.strava.com/activities/7334329749
35 https://www.strava.com/activities/7338563499
36 https://www.strava.com/activities/7344398126
37 https://www.strava.com/activities/7349900654
38 https://www.strava.com/activities/7355603919
39 https://www.strava.com/activities/7359935395
40 https://www.strava.com/activities/7364841493
41 https://www.strava.com/activities/7370956678
42 https://www.strava.com/activities/7376129448
43 https://www.strava.com/activities/7381744769
44 https://www.strava.com/activities/7387513056
Bryan’s Guidelines for Contenders
During the ride
“At Mount Isa I was just about to stop when my body was breaking down trying to control the pain. I got my mind back on track and reset, taking everyday one day at a time – it worked very well. Finishing in Melbourne I was in great shape and could have done more, but the bike was wrecked. New bike needed for the next race!”
Future Contenders
The idea of this event is to achieve something out of the ordinary. I am happy to help anyone attempting to take on this challenge. Goodluck with it, and most of all, stay safe out there, my fellow cyclist.
The same rules apply, pass the 28 points. You must beat the record by 1 hour and travel more than 15,006km. You must beat the elevation gain of 68,990 meters.
Feel free to contact me if you are thinking attempting the record, I will help you break this record to the best of my ability.
Final Sign off from Bryan
“This Epic Race is always going to be in the history books – endurance and mental strength. The will to succeed when everything is against you is key to completing this mammoth test. As evident from Strava, everyday had something different to push my mind into total disarray. People ask me why I train cycling 180km in the velodrome, cycling for 22 hours straight in 32 degree heat and going out in bad weather in Ireland with poorly maintained roads – this is all part of my training leading up to the lap of Australia. Doing all of this made the idea of completing the ride all the more possible. Without all the support from my family and friends this would not be possible, so thanks to you all. Special thanks to Aoife Taaffe for all your input on planning the route. And Greig Kearney, who called me everyday to check-in to see how I was getting on, much appreciated.
Bryan Taaffe”
Bryan Taaffe 
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