List of Antarctic cycling expeditions

Antarctic cycling expeditions were made possible with the development of fatbikes: fat tired bicycles designed for riding in snow and sand.

Expeditions

Expeditions in order of distance cycled.

NameMode of TravelDistance by BikeSupportNotes
Helen SkeltonKite, Ski, Bicycle103 miles (166 km) [1]Motorized supportnon coastal starting location, 2012
Juan Menéndez GranadosSki and Bicycle775 miles (1,247 km) [2]SoloHercules Inlet to South Pole, 2014
Doug StoupBicycle200 miles (320 km)[3]SoloHeritage range, 2003
Eric Larsen (Polar Explorer)Bicycle335 miles (539 km) [4]Solo, food dropsStarting at Hercules Inlet, 2012
Maria LeijerstamTricycle396 miles (637 km) [5]Motorized supportUsed South Pole Traverse, a compacted snow road, 2013
Daniel P. BurtonBicycle775 miles (1,247 km) [6]Solo, food dropsHercules Inlet to South Pole, 2013–14

Doug Stoup was the first person to do a bike expedition in Antarctica. In January 2003, he rode 200 miles (320 km) on a specially designed "ice bike" around the Patriot Hills.[7][8]

In 2012, Helen Skelton became the first person to reach the South Pole using a bicycle. The bike was custom built for her trip, with 8-inch-wide (20 cm) tires. She also used skis and a kite to help her pull a sled containing 82 kilograms (181 lb) of supplies.[9] She covered 329 miles (529 km) by kite ski, 103 mi (166 km) by bike and 69 mi (111 km) by cross-country ski. Some of Skelton's claims have been challenged: "There are many examples of explorers who kited faster and longer on the polar caps".[10]

In December 2012, Eric Larsen made the first attempt to do an expedition solely by bicycle to the South Pole. After covering 175 miles (282 km), a quarter of the distance to the South Pole, Larsen abandoned his attempt and biked an additional 160 miles (260 km) back to Patriot Hills.[11] On 27 December 2013, Maria Leijerstam became the first person to cycle from the coast of Antarctica to the South Pole.[12] Leijerstam's achievement was criticized for excessive motorized support.[13]

Juan Menéndez Granados, calling himself Juan Sin Miedo, started his bicycle and ski expedition at Hercules Inlet in December 2013 and finish on January 17, 2014. Juan traveled the full distance without any resupplies (unsupported and unassisted), surviving the last 4 days of the expedition drinking chocolate powder and sunflower oil. When it was not possible to cycle on the bike, he used skies in order to keep forward with efficiency. He became the first person to cycle to the South Pole solo, unsupported and unassisted.[14]

Daniel Burton was cycling solo to the South Pole but had four resupplies of food along the route, and another one mechanical in the middle of the itinerary. Burton traveled the full distance pedaling or pushing his bike, but even if he was much lighter than Menendez, he spent 5 days more to cover the same distance and route than him.[15]

References
  1. "BBC News - Blue Peter's Helen Skelton reaches South Pole". Bbc.co.uk. 2012-01-22. Retrieved 2014-07-17.
  2. Cathy Allred - Daily Herald (2014-01-29). "Eagle Mountain man first to ride bike to South Pole". Heraldextra.com. Retrieved 2014-07-17.
  3. Winterman, Denise (2012-01-03). "BBC News - Polar challenge: How do you cycle to the South Pole?". Bbc.com. Retrieved 2014-07-17.
  4. "Polar explorer falls short of South Pole cycling goal but sets world record". GrindTV.com. 2013-01-16. Archived from the original on 2014-08-08. Retrieved 2014-07-17.
  5. "IceCycle | World first cycle to the South Pole 2013". Whiteicecycle.com. Retrieved 2014-07-17.
  6. "South Pole Epic by dpburton at Garmin Connect - Details". Connect.garmin.com. 2013-12-03. Retrieved 2014-07-17.
  7. http://www.iceaxe.tv/doug-stoup/
  8. https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-16345232
  9. "Helen Skelton plans South Pole mission". BBC News. 13 December 2011. Retrieved 14 December 2011.
  10. http://www.explorersweb.com/stats/news.php?id=20582
  11. http://www.worldrecordacademy.com/travel/longest_bicycle_journey_in_Antarctica_Eric_Larsen_breaks_Guinness_world_record_213192.html
  12. http://www.whiteicecycle.com
  13. http://www.explorersweb.com/polar/news.php?url=south-pole-update_1388156897
  14. http://www.bbc.com/mundo/blogs/2014/01/140118_blog_polo_sur_llegada_lav
  15. West, Cycling. "Utah's Daniel Burton Becomes First Person to Ride to the South Pole - Cycling West - Cycling Utah". Retrieved 2020-03-28.
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