October 6th: The Day the First Human-Powered Circumnavigation of the Globe is Completed

Yorkshireman Jason Lewis became the first human self-powered circumnavigator of the entire globe on October 6th 2007. Circumnagivation is the travelling of the whole of the Earth's circumference; and whereas the majority of circumnavigators travel by motorized vehicles, Lewis was the first man to complete this extraordinary achievement with solely human power. 

The final few strides to Greenwich
with his wooden pedal boat in 2007

   Lewis and his fellow adventurer Stevie Smith began their epic tour of Planet Earth in Greenwich London in July 1994. Over the thirteen years of 'Expedition 360', the two men travelled via the modes of a wooden pedal boat, roller blades, kayak, hiking and biking. Although Lewis and Smith originally planned to complete their journey in 3.5 years, their E.T.A. was unfortunately extended an extra 9.5 years due to various complications that slowed them down (among these were a bout of depression; a crocodile attack; issues with Egyptian authorities leading to him being arrested under suspicion of spying; and two broken legs after being hit by a driver in Colorado). These problems should not, however, detract from the amazing achievement of Smith and Lewis. Together they travelled over 60,000km by July 2007, and by October 6th 2007 the total distance was a mind-blowing 74,842km. Makes you feel lazy, doesn't it.