Duo Completes 18,000-Mile Global Bike Journey
A father and son from Norfolk have returned home after completing an extraordinary 18,000-mile cycling journey around the world, earning three world records in the process.
Twenty-three-year-old Josh Kohler and his father, 57-year-old George Kohler, began their ambitious expedition on March 29, 2025, departing from their home near Norwich. After spending 400 days on the road and cycling through South America, Australia, Asia, and Europe, the pair completed their journey on May 2, 2026.
Their achievement was celebrated with a warm welcome from family, friends, and around 70 fellow cyclists who accompanied them on the final stretch back home. Upon their arrival, the duo received world record certificates for the fastest bicycle circumnavigation by a father and son, the longest bicycle journey completed by a father and son, and the greatest number of countries visited during a continuous father-and-son cycling expedition.
The adventure was the culmination of years of preparation and increasingly ambitious rides. In 2021, the pair cycled from Land’s End to John O’Groats for charity. The following year, they crossed the United States by bicycle, traveling 3,728 miles from New York City to San Francisco in just three months.
Josh, a filmmaker, said the world tour was filled with unforgettable moments. One of his favorite memories came while cycling through a remote area of Turkey, where a shepherd invited them to share breakfast around a campfire. Despite the language barrier, the group enjoyed eggs, bread, and cheese together in what Josh described as a remarkable cultural exchange.
The idea for long-distance cycling first took root when Josh attended a talk by adventurer Leon McCarron during his school years. Inspired by McCarron’s book about cycling across North America, Josh suggested taking on similar challenges with his father, despite the fact that neither of them owned a bicycle or had any cycling experience at the time.
Not every part of the journey was easy. George recalled encountering difficulties while traveling through remote regions where local authorities were wary of foreign visitors. In some cases, police escorted the pair away from restricted areas, experiences he described as intimidating but manageable.
The cyclists also faced extreme environmental conditions, particularly while crossing Australia’s vast Nullarbor Desert. Long stretches without services, combined with intense heat, pushed their endurance to the limit.
While they expected the physical and mental demands of cycling thousands of miles, Josh admitted they were less prepared for the emotional challenges of spending an entire year together on the road. He said disagreements were inevitable, but the pair followed one simple rule: never go to sleep while still arguing.
Along the way, they experienced countless acts of kindness, from sharing meals with locals in Serbia to receiving food and drinks from monks they met during their travels.
For both men, the most memorable moment came at the end. As they approached home on the final day, dozens of cyclists joined them for the last 15 miles of the ride, creating an emotional finish to an unforgettable adventure.
George described seeing friends and family waiting for them as one of the most moving moments of his life. Josh said he had imagined the finish countless times throughout the year, but the reality exceeded his expectations.
After more than a year of cycling across continents, overcoming harsh conditions, and sharing countless experiences together, the father-and-son team returned home not only with world records, but with memories that will last a lifetime.
