Amy and Kyle Hudson

Fastest couple around the world 2026

On 1 May 2026, Amy and Kyle Hudson left Derby with one big goal: to cycle around the world together in less than 150 days. They returned on 2 September after 123 days, 23 hours and 24 minutes, having ridden 18,018 miles across 20 countries, beating the previous record by more than 80 days and setting two world records: the fastest married couple and the fastest mixed pair to circumnavigate the globe by bicycle.
The journey took them across Europe, Asia, Australia, New Zealand and North America. On many days they were up at 4 or 5am and spent 10 to 12 hours on the bike, averaging around 146 miles per day. But behind the numbers was a journey made up of extraordinary landscapes, unexpected encounters, difficult moments and the determination to keep moving forward together.

Cycling became an important part of Amy's life after a difficult period with her mental health in 2021, when Kyle bought her a bike. What started as a way to get outside and clear her head soon became something much bigger.
Since then, Amy has taken on a number of endurance challenges, including becoming the first woman to ride the full route of the men's Tour de France, stages and transfers included.
The idea of riding around the world came during a previous trip from Italy to the UK. Instead of being ready to stop, Amy and Kyle started wondering what they could do next. The result was their biggest challenge yet.
And while breaking a world record was the goal, the ride also had a much bigger purpose. Throughout the journey, Amy and Kyle raised money and awareness for Shout and The Mix, two organisations supporting people with their mental health.

Four months on the road brought plenty of memories, but some of the most meaningful moments were also the simplest. In Australia, the early starts were rewarded with unforgettable sunrises across the Nullarbor Plain.
"We were the only people around, watching the sun rise ahead of us into a clear sky. The colours were beautiful shades of pink and yellow. It made us feel so calm at the start of the day, even though it was absolutely freezing!"
In New Zealand, a rare pause in their daily routine gave them the chance to watch baby seals playing along the coast. And in Alaska, the vast landscape left a lasting impression.
"The mountains around us were so big and beautiful. We both loved riding in Alaska. It made us feel so small, and our worries seemed insignificant."
These were the moments that reminded them why they loved cycling, even when the days were long and the kilometres seemed endless.

Of course, cycling across 20 countries also meant facing the unexpected. In Canada, Amy and Kyle found themselves sharing the road with a massive herd of bison. Having been warned by locals that the animals could be aggressive and unpredictable, they had little choice but to stop and wait for the herd to move away.
The Balkans brought a different kind of challenge. Being chased by dogs became an almost daily occurrence, with one particularly frightening encounter involving more than 15 dogs running out of a quarry towards them.
"They were trying to bite us. It was only by luck that a car came along and sounded its horn, scaring them away!"
Fortunately, they made it through both encounters safely, with a few stories to tell.

The most difficult moment came towards the end of the journey in Canada, when a car cut across their path and caused Kyle to crash.
By that point, they had already ridden more than 15,000 miles. Despite being in considerable pain, Kyle was determined to continue. It was only after returning home that they discovered he had been riding the final two weeks with a broken collarbone.
Those last kilometres were far from easy, but even then, the couple managed to find reasons to laugh. Kyle remembers one particular stretch of roadworks where the tarmac suddenly turned into rough, washboard-like gravel.
"Amy shouted back, 'Ah, this bit's not too bad!' Meanwhile, all she could hear behind her was me going, 'Ow, ow, ow, ow!' At first I was annoyed that she found it funny, but the more she laughed, the more I couldn't help smiling and laughing too."
It was one of those little moments that perfectly captured their experience: even on the hardest days, there was always room for a sense of humour.

Getting up before sunrise, day after day, was never easy. Some mornings meant heading out into torrential rain and strong headwinds; others brought extreme heat and humidity. And there was always another long day in the saddle ahead.
But despite the physical and mental fatigue, Amy and Kyle never seriously doubted they could finish.
"It was tough getting up at 4 or 5am when we were already so tired, knowing we had a whole day on the bike ahead. But we never had a moment where we didn't think we could do it."
Once they started pedalling, things usually felt better.
"Even when it was hard, we always managed to lift our moods and focus on what we had set out to do. We reminded ourselves what a privilege it was to be able to ride every day, and we tried to enjoy it as much as we could."
That mindset carried them through the difficult days, the unpredictable weather, the mechanical problems and the countless kilometres separating them from home.

On 2 September, after nearly four months on the road, Amy and Kyle returned to Derby, the place where their adventure had started.
They had crossed continents, experienced some of the world's most extraordinary landscapes, overcome challenges they could never have anticipated and set two new world records along the way.
But perhaps the most important part of their journey was never about how fast they could ride around the world.
It was about what cycling had brought into their lives, what they could achieve together and how their story could encourage others to find their own way forward.

18,018 miles, 20 countries, two world records and one extraordinary journey together. Amy and Kyle's adventure also supported Shout and The Mix, helping to raise awareness and funds for mental health support.

Discover more about Amy Hudson
Amy e Kyle Hudson

Amy and Kyle Hudson

On 1 May 2026, Amy and Kyle Hudson left Derby with one big goal: to cycle around the world together in less than 150 days. They returned on 2 September...