A Scottish couple who says: “We are not cyclists, and we don’t own any lycra,” have embarked on an epic round-the-world tandem challenge.

In an extraordinary feat of determination and charity, Bob and Deborah Gulliver took on the challenge in a mission to raise funds for Children’s Hospices Across Scotland and the Hospices of Hope Ukraine Appeal.

Setting off from Rachel House Hospice in Kinross, Scotland, in March 2022, the couple was inspired by long-distance cyclist Mark Beaumont’s book, The Man that Cycles Around the World. 

Despite having little cycling experience before the journey, they fearlessly pedaled through 27 countries, covering a whopping 22,000 km. Their recent triumph involved completing the Australian and New Zealand legs of their adventurous tour.

To officially cycle around the world as recognised by the Guinness World Records, the couple must start and end in the same place, pedal 28,000 km, and pass through an ‘antipodal pair’ – two points on the planet directly opposite to each other. Bob and Deborah chose Alaejos in Spain and the New Zealand Parliament in Wellington as their antipodal points.

While they aren’t aiming to break any official records, the Gullivers are well on their way to meeting the Guinness World Records stipulations, with a target of completing 30,000 km by the end of the year. They plan to finish their incredible journey where it all began, at Rachel House Hospice.

The next adventure on their list is the United States, where they plan to cycle from Los Angeles to Fort Lauderdale before flying to Morocco and then cycling back to Scotland through Spain, France, England, Wales, the Republic of Ireland, and Northern Ireland.

Reflecting on their amazing journey, Bob shared some of the unforgettable moments, from staying with monks in a Thai temple to encountering camels in Kazakhstan and chilling with a koala on an Australian roadside. But what struck them the most was the kindness and generosity of strangers they met along the way.

To keep up with Bob and Deborah’s escapades, you can follow their updates on their website at thegulliverstravels.com

AT A GLANCE

•Scots Bob and Deborah Gulliver are cycling around the world on a tandem for charity.

•With no prior experience, they’ve covered 22,000 km in 27 countries.

•They fulfilled Guinness World Record requirements by cycling between antipodal points.

•They aim to complete 30,000 km this year.

•They’ve been to Australia and will pass through Ireland, Wales, and England on the way home.

•They’ll finish where they began, at Kinross in Scotland.