A Tallahassee teacher and coach leaves Tuesday on a bicycle trip across the world.
65-year-old Kevin Record is trying to set a record as the oldest person to circumnavigate the globe by bicycle. He’s taking a leave of absence from Leon High School, where he’ll start and finish the trip.
“My plan is to go 22,000 miles, roughly 20 countries, and I get 14 months to do it,” Record says.
He recently gave up his job teaching journalism at Leon, where is also a tennis coach. He used to make a living as a sports writer.
Record has biked across the United States four times. Now, he’s opting for a much bigger expanse as he raises money for the Alzheimer’s Association in honor of his late parents.
He'll be camping 60-80% of the time. Other times he'll be in hostels, staying with friends, and maybe even staying in churches. Friends and family will join up with him at various stops along the way, and he knows he'll make friends.
"There's so much kindness and so much adventure out there," Record says. "When people see you coming on a bike, and you're a pretty harmless guy...it's very easy to meet others."
Record is keeping a laid back stance, saying he should probably be more concerned than he is.
"I've come to embrace uncertainty. I think I'm wired for this. I just feel better when I'm on a bicycle. Riding that bike all day, I feel like a little kid again," Record says. "Life is uncertain. This is highly uncertain, but I'm embracing that, and I really can't wait to see how it unfolds."
His send off party starts at 3 p.m. Tuesday at the Leon High School tennis courts. He says well-wishers can play tennis and pickleball, listen to music, and enjoy ice cream.
Then, he’s inviting bicyclists to join him for the first leg of the trip. He plans to leave before 5 p.m. on a path along Franklin Street and down the St. Marks Trail. His first night will be spent at the Newport Campground in Crawfordville.
He promises updates on social media:
Facebook: @kevin.record.5
Instagram: @kevin.record.5
YouTube: @skrappytennis
TikTok: @kevinrecord68
