Cycling's Unbreakable Record | 839 Miles in Less Than 44 Hours | LEJOG

In this feature-length documentary, watch 24-hour time trial specialist, Michael Broadwith’s incredible attempt to set the fastest Land's End to John o’Groats cycling record.
Produced by Joe Norledge and Tom Wragg, ‘Cycling’s Unbreakable Record’ sheds light on the motivation behind the record attempt, the remarkable physiological and mental effort required, and the highs and lows of Broadwith’s amazing ride.
Known as ‘the End to End’, the route is roughly 839 miles long with 34,626 feet of elevation, including two mountains.
The record has been regulated by the Road Records Association and in its history, there have been less than 30 successful attempts by men and women.
Gethin Butler beat the men’s record in 2001 with a time of 44 hours, four minutes and 19 seconds.
For a long time, this record was deemed unbreakable - a feat of pure superhuman endurance and mind over matter riding.
But Broadwith had become fascinated by the record. The poetic quality of seeing a route spanning the length of the country, its rich history and the sense of it being a journey many others have ridden before him, drove Broadwith to try and break Butler’s record in 2018.
Behind the record attempt there is a huge emotional, financial and training investment. There is also the need for self-conviction to justify not only taking yourself to the start line, but bringing a full support team with you.
Once you are there, what happens next is close to two days of relentless riding. No sleep, indescribable pain and fatigue, and febrile euphoria.
A film by - Joe Norledge & Tom Wragg - www.helium-media.co.uk/showre...
Graphic design & animation- Adrian Ridley - www.adrianridley.design
Photos, research & words - Paul Jones - traumfahrrad.com
Voice over - Aoife Glass - / silverstrange
Thanks to - Felix Smith & George Scott
Michael Broadwith - / 24hourmaths
Buy END TO END by Paul Jones - www.hachette.co.uk/titles/pau...
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#CyclingsUnbreakableRecord #BikeRadarfilms #LEJOG

[@adamhaayer6809]

What a humble guy. I love it when he says “WE” broke the record!! We need more of that in the world.

[@stephenbrand5779]

Well I am a maths teacher and have ridden LEJOG too. In my case it took 12 days to complete the ride - perhaps something wrong with my working out, should have divided by 6 somewhere along the line. Truly in awe of what Mike achieved.

[@dennistate9951]

This guy is faster at 43 hours of riding than I am when I'm fresh out of bed. I think I need a new set of legs..🤔

[@casualguy393]

Build 'em bigger braddah.

[@danielchapman3875]

HE'S MY MATHS TEACHER!! And a very nice one too. (Gethin Butler not Michael Broadwith)

[@Jeppelelle]

Math is a myth, it doesn't exist, just like Australia

[@danielchapman3875]

@@Jeppelelle I don't understand. Is this a joke comment. Just to let you know if it is sarcasm tell me now because I'm not very good with that stuff

[@pennryan970]

Lolol what level does he teach?

[@emmachrisavramiea2727]

@@danielchapman3875 it is sarcasm. I feel kinda dumb explaining a joke, but basically he says math doesn't exist, in the same way Australia doesn't (so some people who don't value math at all might be from a similar category with others who negate certain geographical facts, such as the existence of a continent one might not have been on). I find the comment quite funny!

[@MrVizzle]

And that is how you gett better score. Nicely done.

[@TheBClark88]

Paraphrasing but: “I’m not good at going fast” then “I did 25miles an hour for four hours” whilst just “tapping it out”

[@danielsvedberg2439]

seriously, what's this guy's yarstick? world tour? 25mph for 4 hours will give you plenty of success in amateur road racing

[@mattk8810]

@@danielsvedberg2439 he is using a tt bike.

[@danielsvedberg2439]

@@mattk8810 in my experience, a TT bike+disc+skinsuit is only worth 2-3 mph compared to a well-fitted road bike set up for breakaways. If he can casually "tap out" around 250W for 4 hours of a 44 hour effort, I think that easily translates into pace that wins amateur road races

[@alexanderknips4690]

@@danielsvedberg2439 he did not compare himself to amateur racers. Sure he could have won some there but now he is at the top of the podium in his specialty

[@mbal4052]

@@mattk8810 oh right, easy then 😉😂

[@BradWadeNL]

This is beautiful. A lot of people only think about the physical side of cycling, but not mental. I recently did my first 200km ride and my head was going in places it has never been before. Case in point, never quit until the shit hits the fan. Keep going.

[@Bellezzasolo]

I just finished doing LEJOG a week ago. First and last day were 200k. The first day, man, that was brutal. Overnight to avoid the worst of the traffic, did some bits of the A30 where necessary. I ended up holed up in Sourton Down services (100 mi) for a few hours because I didn't want to abandon civilisation! I did go a more roundabout way, through the Peak District, Sheffield, Leeds, Yorkshire Dales. Went over Fleet Moss, revisiting an old foe. And what a hill that one is... Then up through Glasgow, A82, Inverness. Then the 200k to JOG, took the Cromarty Ferry, then up the A9. Getting to Helmsdale was a fairly easy cruise. Café stop. But 50 miles to go, and with those climbs.... I climbed them on the bike, but they were tough that far into a day. This was the darkest point of the day. I got to the A99, 35 miles to go. Wick was halfway, so I just got myself to Wick (actually had to go old school for a while, as my Wahoo was low on charge, so got shoved in the backpack with a power bank). From Wick, it was only 16 miles. The end was in sight, and I truly blasted it. Still inched up the final climb- but that was actually the most emotional moment for me. Cresting that summit, John O'Groats comes into view - and it was just past sunset, so you have the silhouette of Stroma and the Orkneys. Just a straightforward downhill run! I averaged 23.6 kph for that 200k, 12:10 elapsed. I have done 2x 300k rides in the past, and I don't really know how at the moment... but I should be in that kind of form again after that epic journey!

[@BradWadeNL]

@@Bellezzasolo That sounds like quite the journey! I hope to do it some day! A 300km ride sounds amazing.

[@Bellezzasolo]

@@BradWadeNL Oh, it was incredible! As for 300k, well, first one I did, I was standing on the pedals the whole way back from the train station, I was so sore! Gruelling distance.

[@dlee7631]

how can anyone vote down this video? Whether you like cycling or not, the accomplishment is worthy of recognition and praise. Well done Michael! You are a cycling warrior!

[@geoffpoole483]

He had a support team (just like most people attempting LEJOG records) but at the end of the day he's a bloke with a regular job, not a professional athlete. Just completing the ride is impressive, let alone breaking the record.

[@niallwildwoode7373]

I thought the same thing. How sad that some can't appreciate this level of endurance and achievement. Some people have little lives.

[@essex9]

Fantastic story, glad i fell here

[@willemniehorster9836]

I would love to ride that route but obviously stopping and not trying to break any record. Mad respect for this gentleman. My record is 222 km and I was 58 years old when I did it last year 2020.

[@GordoGambler]

Not bad. Me, I did a double my age ride of 133.66 miles with a SA XL-RD5w on my tour bike at 73 lbs. LOL. Would have been about 12Hr25 min., 9Hr26 moving, but I stopped 2 miles from home for a chocolate bar. Mostly flat with one 180 foot dip thru a valley at 84 miles. I've never ridden a light bike or wore a helmet. LOL.

[@timwatson6689]

Incredible. And very emotional. I did LEJOG in June this year in 7 days, I followed Michaels route after mine turned out to be a disaster for the most part so to see him talk about it in detail, bits of which I know intimately, was special for me.

[@ahedgerow]

A lot of stories in cycling are well covered, but this one was fresh to me and I was glued to it. Also the word "epic" is overused but seems appropriate here. Great production and pace of narrative BR team 👍

[@bikeradar]

Thank you for your comment, we are proud to have such a story on our channel. We'd love to show you more inspirational documentaries in the future!

[@mcnab1383]

I am not a roadie but that's an amazing record to break. I once did JOG to Cape Wrath, it took me 2 days as on a heavy mountainbike with tent, gear and food for a week. The up and down hills along the coast after Reay are brutal, the heavy bike didn't help, but it was the incessant headwinds which almost broke me. I have ridden thousands of miles on rough tracks across the Highlands, but the first 2 days of that road trip were the hardest I ever had on a bike. Great achievement by Mike and good documentary.

[@ingopaul67]

Teachers don't come much more inspirational than this. Great story.

[@stevenbarr5181]

Just seen this video today 20th Sept 2021. What an absolutely amazing achievement. You should be so proud. Top man.

[@user-fk8rb8ue5h]

Great video fantastic no histrionics just serious stuff very grown-up and a pleasure to watch.

[@tonycittadini8041]

Never heard of this guy and here he is...totally understated, honest and a true hero.

[@sbsb4995]

Excellent video

[@brendanhogan9881]

A beautiful piece of work, thank you. And a great achievement by Michael, well done. I did a long-distance run to mark reaching the age of 60 - 60 miles in one day - and I know how Michael felt when he said "I don't want this thing to end". We are capable of so much more than we think. And his comment that he could do 20 more minutes reminded me of a KZbin video that I got some inspiration from. The founder of the Western States 100 mile race talking about the first time he ran it, when he was already exhausted early on: "Can I make it to Auburn (100m, finish) - no, it's ridiculous to even think of that. Well how about Michigan Bluff (55m)? And I thought of crossing the deep canyons (40-50m) and I thought no way. And I thought: what can I do? And the answer came to mind: I can still take one more step. At that point I decided to take one more step until I could no longer take one more step. We often think that there will be another day but, often, life gives us one opportunity." He made it.

[@British99]

Great video, and particularly special for me as Michael mentioned John Woodburn at Perth. John was a personal friend, so this video has a personal connection for me.

[@vernefits1953]

beautiful video.

[@Soldier9811]

Beautiful video, sometimes there are no words

[@samuelchap]

Inspirational. I've tried (and had to call it quits) twice on LeJog. One day I'll succeed and things like this make me more hungry for it.

[@bikeradar]

We think that's an incredible achievement, even if you've had to call it quits... BikeRadar's video manager Felix knows about that 👉 kzbin.info/www/bejne/romZaHttrL6pias

[@hisdadjames4876]

Lovely story, well told! I did LEJOG in 2016, albeit more slowly😉, and this brought back many happy memories.

[@philreeves1178]

Awesome ride, the mental side looks harder than the physical. Only a few people can get past that. What an achievement, and with a full time job.

[@waterside13]

Man, what a super ride plus 2 broken records. Michael you are a credit to Great Britain including the amazing support and effort from your team and supporters.

[@charlesgraham-dixon2637]

I interviewed Mike about this a few years back. Great guy and an incredible rider!

[@bikeradar]

We couldn't agree more! Thanks for watching Charles.

[@GuyRWood]

Absolute legend. Chapeau sir!

[@grahamreeve5209]

Incredible thanks so much, makes my 11 days seem pathetic but sharing those climbs knowing how hard it was my eyes leaked a little.

[@TheFinav]

Sheesh... I got emotional at the end when the team were cheering Michael up the hill! Awesome, inspiring story. Congrats to M and the team. Thanks @BikeRader!

[@ThunderStruckMTB]

Wow! I had never heard of this before this film and what an unbelievable ride that is. Congrats on the record and great job on the film. Thank you!

[@DennisTeohKokEe]

not my first time know about LEJOG. GCN did a video on this 2 months back.

[@OlgasBritishFells]

Gethin is a Maths teacher too! How co-incidental! Weldone Michael. Great achievement! So nice to see our Gethin supporting you.

[@yashshah2941]

Congratulations Mr. Broadwith! My superb maths teacher 📚

[@thatsbrownie]

An inspiration and truly humble. That a mind boggling achievement. Hats off.

[@bikeradar]

Thanks for watching, we couldn't agree more!

[@rushja]

I loved this video, well done for making it. LEJOG is impressive enough but to do it with an hours rest and averaging 20mph is mind blowing! Also, the comments section attracts some very strange people.

[@simontimmins460]

I’m interested to learn all the specs of the bike: groupset, crank, chain, crank length etc

[@stuartchester6899]

All depends if the wind was behind. I can piss 20 mph on the flat with a good tail wind.Aero makes absolutely no differnce with a tail wind

[@johnmoug5149]

Inspiring. More so because of his humanity. A terrific production too. Thanks so much for this.

[@davidsorensen1769]

What a humble human. Thank you for sharing your story with us Michael. And thank you to BR for a great job framing it.

[@bikeradar]

Thanks for watching the documentary David, we'd love to make more in the future!

[@davidkaiza2484]

Powerful narrator

[@gavinhall6082]

I'm proud to know this man; he is the most humble, kind, and talented person I have ever met.

[@alanc2039]

Emotional & Inspiring… kudos

[@bikeradar]

Thanks for watching! We'd love to make more inspiring documentaries in the future...

[@arya721]

very well put together. I recently started long distance cycling (only 8 hour rides right now) and seeing this is very motivating 🙏

[@loc9588]

“Only 8 hours”? 😂 bro that’s crazy long

[@AxelPRC]

I did LEJOG on an unsupported run in 6 days back in 2020 with 3 other non cyclist mates. Not quite the route this fella took, we were on B roads the whole time but man this brought back some memories. Such a special few days.

[@mycoolcar]

Great video. Thanks bikeradar.

[@leslierhodes5467]

Awesome inner strength Well done mate

[@n7app]

Wow, what a great video. I enjoyed every second of it. Well done.

[@KarlOnSea]

Splendid. Thank you to Michael for sharing this.

[@simonvonbromley3424]

Mind-blowing. What a record. Beautifully produced film too, well done all involved.

[@bikeradar]

Thanks Simon 👍 We are proud to cover this story on our channel!

[@nearcyclemisses]

What an inspiration. There is only so much planning you can do before hitting the unknown, mentally and physically. Dealing with the unknown in a way you and your team did, bit by bit sets you apart from the rest. A true champion! And a record that is likely to stand for some considerable time.

[@bikeradar]

Thanks for watching! We agree, what an inspiration!

[@dave2402]

What a super video. A great exposition of the wonderfully obsessive and understated culture of endurance cycling.

[@markgunn6680]

Fantastic film

[@colinedward3147]

Great video, well done all involved.

[@garybrown5769]

What a beautiful video

[@nigelbromley1428]

Amazing achievement by a very under-stated guy! Very watchable film.

[@TriathlonDan]

What an incredible story, thanks so much to Mike and BikeRadar for sharing that, I really really enjoyed it and it has given me genuine inspiration

[@hawkrider88]

Your spirit, excitement, optimism and positive approach to almost everything....is darn infectious!! Keep smiling!

[@ianmacfarlane1241]

A stunning achievement, and an inspirational film. Such a big team effort - Helen, (his wife?) also deserves a huge amount of credit for pushing him on. I really can't get my head around how unbelievably difficult this would be - outstanding.

[@TheEssexSpurs]

Loved this video.Will watch some more when I've drove half a mile to Asda to get some bread!!!!By the way I love the use of the word WE as well.

[@pootlingalong8928]

I and my little dog Lil’ did LeJog in June 2021, taking the Sustrans 1200 mile route and Lil’ riding in my Brompton front basket. We did the ride in 5.5 weeks, camping most nights with 4 Travelodge nights. I would love to do the ride in just a few days and admire all those who can - and who do! However you do it, do it - it is an awesome ride 🥰

[@brantnuttall]

That is an amazing effort. I've done a few long rides but nothing anywhere near this. Big congratulations! xxx

[@petinka721]

Stunning!

[@thedaftestnameicouldthinko8233]

Stunning achievement. I couldn’t last 2 hours in a time trial position. 2 days is ridiculous.

[@johnnybravo1912]

What exactly is the achievement here - cycling yourself to pieces for what?

[@alex_n8863]

@@johnnybravo1912 what's the point in climbing Everest. What's the point in swimming the channel. What's the point doing anything? That's rhetorical by the way. 😉

[@johnnybravo1912]

@@alex_n8863 the point in doing those extreme things is this " I feel inadequate therefore I think I have to do extreme things to make me feel adequate." Look at me, Look at me, Look what I can do! Which is pointless because everywhere you go there you are..

[@patientswim6888]

@@johnnybravo1912 jesus christ some people are actually indistinguishable from dog shit.

[@johnnybravo1912]

@M M - Are you bored?

[@Th3d0n77]

Such a wonderful experience to watch. Thank you for sharing it with us and congrats 👏🏾

[@abdulmajidhussain7942]

What an amazing adventure. Should've been an English Drama teacher. Would be plays written about you now. Congrats on an absolutely awesome achievement.

[@mtbmadman187]

What! Me and my pal done just a 90mi xc, there and back to the lakes in 24 hrs and we were dead! What a machine!

[@MrDazP1adv3ntures]

That was a fantastic documentary and an amazing effort put in by Michael , Well done to the support team for getting him there in the end ! I was truly emotional at when he finished as it evoked some personal memories having completed LEJOG & LEJOG my self .

[@michellesharp2898]

Absolutely blummin' brilliant

[@KetzalSterling]

Superb content, fantastic effort.

[@stevengmarcus]

Congratulations. Amazing story. So humble and such an athlete. Just completely amazing. So inspirational. Go get em.

[@damianward8138]

Wow! What a feat of endurance & mental strength! Well done to you and your team 👏 👏

[@allannadobson4424]

What an amazing feat of endurance 💕 you gave me goosebumps with your humbleness and determination 🤩 ride on badass 😎

[@trevorwillis3950]

Your determination and drive is inspiring! 👍🏻👌🏻

[@Waq119]

amazing effort and an inspiration for others, well done

[@Wolfman1250s]

Wow, incredible ride 👍 What a great story, thank BR

[@nockee]

One of the most inspirational persons I have ever met. Amazing human being. So inspiring.

[@bikeradar]

You are lucky to have met Michael, we are in awe of his achievement!

[@AaronGoodTimes]

Amazing video! What an accomplishment.

[@bikeradar]

Thanks for watching!

[@jeremyprodger6766]

Just wanted to give a shout out to Pete Ruffhead - a great supporter of our sport at the grass roots level for many decades

[@rubens1337]

What an amazing thing to watch. Great story telling and a blast to watch such an humble athlete. Thank you for making this, it made my day. I especially liked it how it also shed a light on the mental aspect of the sport.

[@saintuk70]

Epic achievements in both the men's and women's LEJOG - in 2021 Christina Mackenzie (Stirling) broke the women's record earlier in this Summer.

[@bikeradar]

Thanks for watching! You're right, Christina Mackenzie's record is absolutely incredible, we covered the achievement on bikeradar.com 👉 www.bikeradar.com/features/routes-and-rides/christina-mackenzie-lejog-record/

[@alanmale7011]

Well done. A great film on a fantastic achievement.

[@Sthilboy56]

Dam that’s amazing total respect for that record, my best is 101 miles on a mountain bike and I was totally done in not a drop of energy left , took me a week to recover

[@teamjdb]

Wow, to achieve something like that and still check strava for KOMs; just wow.

[@amitkumar-wj8gn]

also, if i may, good to see Joe's name and so, so happy to hear Aoife on BR again!

[@bikeradar]

Thanks for watching, we're glad you enjoyed some familiar BikeRadar names!

[@richardinman5913]

Epic achievement from a modest guy.

[@eddiefogg1856]

Really enjoyed the video. A fantastic inspirational effort and story. Well done to Mike and all those that made it happen.👏👍🚲

[@bikeradar]

Thanks for your comment and great to hear you enjoyed our documentary!

[@Barrytown69]

Excellent documentary, thankyou

[@bikeradar]

Thanks for watching! We'd love to make more documentaries in the future...

[@toddroberts5522]

So impressive on so many levels.

[@ajsaracina8380]

Incredible achievement, and a fantastic video to document it!

[@bikeradar]

Thanks for watching! We are all in so much awe of Michael's achievement

[@angela-onesroman8873]

Absolutely amazing how he pushed the human body to those limits, living legend...

[@bikeradar]

Absolutely. Thanks for watching!

[@Adventures_with_Sog]

Absolutely brilliant. Well done, I doff my hat to you, Sir. 👍🤙

[@bikeradar]

Thanks for watching!

[@jimmyjohnstone5878]

I am sore just watching.

[@ebhkkc1]

Great job

[@arcoulant87]

Chapeau

[@felixjackson2670]

Lovely film.

[@edenbreckhouse]

As someone who's done some bonkers physical things that I loved about this film is how well Mike could explain what was going on in his head.

[@SpiritualStuntman]

This was fucking spectacular, thank you 🙏🏼

[@simontimmins460]

Phenomenal! Michael is Superman! The GCN guys could only do it in 39 hours in a team of two! One hour on one hour off. So they only did half the distance! Michael did the whole distance himself! Kudos!!

[@mickfaragher7897]

Superb! Just keep going even when you think it's over because it never quite is. Behind every man is an inspirational woman👍. Congratulations Mike.

[@daniels.2720]

Congratulations !!

[@daniellehmann3225]

So inspirational, I respect you so much for your achievement and also for your character. Well done 👍🏻

[@danloveless4644]

yoooo he was my maths teacher

[@adammorris6348]

That was awesome. 🙂