Updates from this crew are few and far between, so it’s a rare day in … September … when I hear from all of them within 24 hours!

Jenny Graham, attempting the women’s unsupported around-the-world record, checks in from bear-infested Alberta with more than her share of mechanicals — but a good 60% done towards her goal!

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Current location: Valleyview, Canada Miles covered so far: 12,810 Estimated miles to go: 5,190 This week has brought a raft of mechanicals for @jennygrahamis_ … what with holey shoes, broken cleats, snapped gear cables and worst of all a smashed up bottom bracket!!! But shes managed to get it all bodged together with ducktape and grease and hot-footing it to Edmonton for a bigger bike shop!!! Bears are still possible here but the chances of a really close encounter are shrinking with every pedal stroke… thank goodness! A big thank you to sponsors @leighdaycycling @unitasglobal @shandcycles @enduraofficial @komoot @huntbikewheels @ritcheylogic @johnhampshirecoaching @wearecyclinguk @insta360 You can follow Jen’s adventure here http://theadventuresyndicate.com/round-the-world/ and use the hashtag #eastboundRTW … ?‍♀️??? #cyclinglife #cycletheplanet #cyclenation #biketravel #wanderlust #goexplore #worldadventure

A post shared by The Adventure Syndicate (@adventuresynd) on Sep 9, 2018 at 11:41am PDT

Vedangi, on a similar round-the-world quest, has reached the halfway mark while suffering a broken toe and some sort of abdominal injury requiring stitches (details have not been forthcoming) — all a different sort of “mechanical.” She still faces visa challenges for the second half.

Halfway around the world – 9020 miles(14,432km) in 55 days! Grateful for all the adventures and misadventures so far!❤️https://t.co/dIyLlXQTKPhttps://t.co/4khYRm2CY8 pic.twitter.com/NYeqbK5Vfr

— Vedangi (@wheelsandwords) September 10, 2018

Next, not chasing records of any sort, but still making the most of life, Dave has completed lejog in 8.5 days at the ripe young age of 60. He’ll be an inspiration to me and Joe Lejog as we make our own assault next year!

Dave’s 2018 #LEJOG ??‍♂️?

904 miles
8.5 days
61 hours cycling
14.8 av mph
106 av miles per day
Fastest speed 46mph ?
60 years old #OneLifeLiveIt

Hope you enjoyed the adventure as much as he did. Heading home now …. pic.twitter.com/BO0SLRBEvV

— Kath (@Crescent_Cakes) September 10, 2018

Last but in no wise least, Ian To — coming off an astounding third (?) victory in Hard Cro — is hinting at a fresh challenge on the lejog record (set just weeks ago by Michael Broadwith at 43 hours 25 minutes 13 seconds).

The window is open!

Waiting for the wind… It’s looking a bit weak, in Cornwall, and not very helpful through the Midlands. #LEJOG #worldrecord #ultracycling #Project44LEJOG pic.twitter.com/n5wCJCWYdZ

— Ian To (@ITultracycling) September 8, 2018

It’s all inspiration to me as I prepare for the Tour de Tohoko this week. And the same goes for these fantastic manga characters commemorating the tour!

【#東北ペダル】「ツール・ド・東北 2018」のコースを、TVアニメ「弱虫ペダル」のキャラクターが走るグラフィックが、本日から都内各駅、また明日9月11日より仙台駅に登場します。ツール・ド・東北公式サイトではスペシャルグラフィックを一部公開中！ https://t.co/2lD7C4SVAu #ツールド東北

— ツール・ド・東北 (@tourdetohoku) September 10, 2018