Guinness Rules

If it were just a case of riding the bike, it would not be as tough (really!). What makes the ride more difficult is documenting it all in accordance with the stringent regulations that Guinness set down.

The paperwork is key. If you cannot prove what you have done to Guinness, then there is no record. If you mislay your documents half way through the record, then give up, because you don't have the proof.

Here is summary of the Guinness rules for these rides.

Circumnavigation of the World by Motorcycle

• Minimum 18,000 riding miles;
• Minimum 24,900 miles in total;
• Travel in the same direction (you cannot go back on yourself);
• Cross two anti-podal points (opposite points on the globe);
• Time flying between land points is not counted.

Trans-Americas Journey by Motorcycle

• Route must leave Prudhoe Bay, Alaska and arrive Ushuaia, Argentina (or vice versa);
• Time runs from leaving Alaska until arrival at Ushuaia, which includes time taken to organise crossing over the Darien Gap.
• Guinness recorgnises that the motorcycle needs to be freighted between Central and South America. However the ride in the Central America section must go at least as far as Panama City and in South America, it must commence or go through its northern most point by road - either Cartegena or Barranquilla.

For Both the Records

• Route must be checked by Guinness prior to setting off;
• Same rider, same bike throughout;
• No traffic offences;
• Maintain detailed log book – every time you stop, record location, date, time, mileage and when you start, record the date and time of starting;
• Photographic and video evidence of journey;
• Two witnesses each day to sign the log book;
• Two independent witnesses of local standing to verify the whole evidence of the journey prior to submission to Guinness.