As I get into cycling and my mileage increases, I found myself wondering what is the record for the longest ride in a day, if there is such a record? I guess by "day" I mean 24 hours. Or maybe not -- what's the longest ride without sleeping in 24 hours? This isn't coming out right. Anyone have a clue what I'm trying to ask?

Here is a site that might help...
https://www.ultracycling.com/standing...dsprocess.html

lots of 500 mile plus 24 hour records out there, over six hundred while drafting (i'm guessing other bicycles) and an astonishing 1,200 miles in 24 hours at the track drafting an 18 wheeler!

Michael Secrest, Phoenix, AZ
26 Apr 90 drafting 18-wheel truck Motor Speedway, AZ 1216.81 / 50.70

50mph for 24hours - crazeee

Yes, there is a record for the most miles covered in 24 hours. It is usually set on a 24-hour challenge such as these:

https://www.n24hc.org/event.html (pop over to the 2005 results and you'll see that the guy who did the most miles covered 470 miles in 24 hours)

https://www.big-dogs.org/umw/UMCA24/UC24Main.aspx (check the roster and you'll see I'm signed up!)

https://www.tt24tt.com/

https://www.mersey24hour.co.uk/index.html


As for sleep ... you don't need to sleep on a 24-hour event!!


If you are interested in other long distance events check out Randonneuring:
https://www.randonneurs.bc.ca/links/links.html
https://www.rusa.org/

And here's a couple generally useful sites for information about events, training, nutrition and equipment for long distance riding:
https://www.ultracycling.com/
https://www.bikecenturies.com/

Thanks everybody!

UK 24hr TT record (unpaced) is 525m by Andy Wilkinson (1997). Women's ditto is by Cristine Roberts at 461.45m (1993)

"https://www.big-dogs.org/umw/UMCA24/UC24Main.aspx (check the roster and you'll see I'm signed up!)"

Way to go Machka! I had no way of knowing, but I assumed you were going to watch. Is it a safe bet that you will finish in the top 5 females.

I think if I showed up and rode 5 miles I'd still be in the top 5 females!

Although I've been Randonneuring for several years, I've never done one of these before, so I'm not sure what to expect. When I first thought about doing this one, I had in mind that I would push for 500 kms (300 miles), but my year hasn't been going as well as I would have liked, so I'll be thrilled if I pass the 400 km (250 miles) point by the end of the 24 hours. We'll see what happens!

The great John Howard, America's greatest cyclist in the 1970 to 1985 era, rode 514 miles in 24 hours on a standard bike. He was riding unpaced, outdoors. Howard was a bit faster when paced: he reached a speed o0f 152 mph on the Bonnnebille Salt Flats, pacing behind a race car.

Greg Lemond has said that he realized that he had a future in cycling when he finished second to John Howard...Greg was still a teen-ager at that time.