Alberta cyclist Robert Murray earned a place in the Guinness World Records by cycling 80.95 kilometers (about 130 miles) on his bicycle, all without using his hands. Murray’s achievement is not only a huge personal victory, but also a huge fundraiser for the Alzheimer Society of Calgary. Murray’s work was officially recognized by Guinness World Records, recognizing him for reaching the longest distance by bike (hands-free) in 5 hours and 37 minutes. The record breaking was part of a wider initiative of Murray did it to raise awareness and money for Alzheimer’s disease, a cause that matters to him. Murray said in an interview with GWR: “Alzheimer’s disease runs in my family. “Making a record and raising money for something that’s close to my heart is just a double win!
Murray’s connection to cycling began at a young age, when he rode a bicycle with his sister on his morning walk to the lake. It was these rides that first sparked his love for long-distance cycling. At 15, he bought his first road bike, one with which he recently broke a record. Despite the challenges that came with the effort, including last-minute bike repairs, Murray said he wasn’t discouraged. Broken furniture and a broken bicycle seat, which turned out to be accidents, did not shake his resolve. However, setbacks became a stepping stone to success.
Months of stressful preparation included finding the right venue, finding volunteers as witnesses and dealing with unexpected cycling issues. Two days before the attempt, the seat on Murray’s horse broke, but this setback resulted in a crucial improvement that contributed to his record.
Murray’s mastery of hands-free cycling has become second nature to him over the years. This unique skill allowed him to multitask during his efforts, from massaging his feet to changing music and sending text messages.
When covering long distances during his training, Murray’s body faced challenges, as half of his body fell asleep. Remarkably, having his hands free helped him massage his legs, overcoming this obstacle.
On the day of the record attempt, Murray received great support, spectators, witnesses and timekeepers gathered behind him. Even those who read about the event in the newspaper came to see the amazing work of cycling without hands.
Reflecting on his journey, Murray expressed his newfound confidence and pride. “Keeping myself in the public service puts me in a very easy position, especially if I can’t break the record.
Looking ahead, Murray plans to make another record, starting his business selling ice cream from a machine in Calgary during the summer.
