Cyclist rides length of Cuba in just over two days
MEXICO CITY: Extreme athlete Jacob Zurl has cycled 1,450km the length of Cuba from east to west in a record time of just over two days, his support team announced.
The Austrian needed just 58 hours and 48 minutes to complete the journey from Punta de Maisi in the easternmost point of the Caribbean island to Cabo de San Antonio in the west.
The endurance feat took its toll on the 28yearold, who only took two short breaks to sleep and had to vomit 150km before reaching his goal.
“The most difficult moment was during the second night when I started hallucinating and kept falling asleep,” Zurl said.
“I also found the climate very challenging. There was everything from pouring rain to extreme heat.”
The poor condition of the roads also meant his handlebars had to be readjusted several times. He was accompanied by the police and an ambulance.
Zurl had initially planned to cycle across Cuba in 2015 but had to call the attempt off when he caught dengue fever during training in Havana and had to be hospitalised. He lost 7kg and needed a year to recover his fitness.
“I am extremely grateful that I finally finished this project,” he said. “I’ve been overwhelmed by the support I’ve had from Cubans on my journey across the island.”
Zurl had been aiming to complete the marathon ride in 55 hours but in the event needed almost an extra four. “It’s still a record time,” he said.
In 2012, the ultra cyclist set a record – which has since been broken again – for cycling most vertical metres in 48 hours, 28,789m, around three times the height of Everest.
Two years later he completed the fastest ever ride of one of the most dangerous roads in the Himalayas in under 40 hours.
He reckons he burnt around 30,000 calories in Cuba and is now looking forward to relaxing on the white sandy beaches of Varadero, east of Havana.
“I don’t know what my next project will be. For now, I’m just going to recover and enjoy Cuba,” he said. — dpa