The irrepressible Joe Barr, now aged 67, has ridden Route 66 in America, across eight States from California to Chicago, in a new world record time (Photo: Team Joe Barr)
Irish endurance rider Joe Barr has, aged 67, set a new world record after riding across eight States in the United States, from west to east, the full length of Route 66.
He said Route 66 "had me on the ropes" in the early stages, but then he rode himself into the challenge, often completing 200 miles at a time, operating on four hours sleep.
As the ride continued, he and his team called on all of the experience they have gained as he has raced ultra events and challenges world wide. That includes Race Across America; an event he has completed twice and won his age category in.
When Barr set out on his 2,448 mile Route 66 journey he was aged 66 himself but turned 67 on the day he finished at Navy Pier, Chicago, having started out at Santa Monica pier on the Californian coast.
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He completed the route in 10 days, 12 hours and three minutes, which has set - his team believes, and subject to ratification - a new world record for the 2,448 mile route.
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Along the way he negotiated 21,000 metres of climb, completing an incredible ride for any cyclist, let alone a man who is now closer to 70 than 60.
On finishing his ride, Barr said he was very thankful to everyone who had followed his journey and supported him - including his crew, led by his wife, performance nutritionist Jill Mooney.
"It's been a long 10 days, it took two years to put it together. And here we are, we've finished it," said a shattered Barr, a former pro rider and also a top domestic amateur on the road racing scene in his younger days.
"To be the first person to put this in the books is a great honour and a privilege to have the opportunity to even try to do it.
"I couldn't have done it by myself, the team has been incredible. And to all the people all along the route from Santa Monica to here, I just want to say a big thank you for their generosity and their support."
Barr negotiated really extreme heat in Arizona and New Mexico, not to mention very humid conditions in Oklahoma and Missouri.
