When tasked with the discovery of why humanity continues to strive for seemingly impossible feats, the answer is always the same: Because y’all can.
Perhaps that’s why a surprising amount of you have been attempting round-the-world (RTW) trips since the lockdowns of 2020 – and Team Green lover Bridget McCutchen is right up there with the best of them.
Round-the-world tripper, Bridget McCutchen, gunning to be the youngest to circumnavigate our earth on a bike. Media sourced from Bridget’s website and Instagram.According to coverage provided by MCN, McCutchen is aiming for the title of ‘youngest RTW-tripper on a motorbike.’
Her cycling scoot of choice?
A 2020 Kawasaki Versys X-300 named “Mab” – and, get this, the current RTW record is held by British rider Henry Crew, who apparently was finished by the time he turned 23.
It’ll be a close one, folks.
Round-the-world tripper, Bridget McCutchen, gunning to be the youngest to circumnavigate our earth on a bike. Media sourced from Bridget’s website and Instagram.“I grew up around motorcycles, but I didn’t get into them myself until I got my motorcycle license when I was 18,” McCutchen supplies.
“I bought my first bike, a Kawasaki Ninja 250 when I was 19. Before that, I was exposed to motorcycles for most of my childhood thanks to my older brothers who had them.”
Round-the-world tripper, Bridget McCutchen, gunning to be the youngest to circumnavigate our earth on a bike. Media sourced from Bridget’s website and Instagram.Shortly after Bridget’s newfound joy on two wheels, the decision was made to attempt a full circumnavigation of the earth – with a $5000 bike budget, her brother purportedly recommended Mab as the ideal choice… but first, she needed a few tweaks.
“I designed and built my own bash plate,” adds Bridget.
“I also made my own luggage rack to fit a pair of two-gallon auxiliary gas cans that I would later discard in favor of a collapsible gas bag and a rackless luggage system from Mosko Moto [and] mounted an accessory headlight for night-time riding.”
“At the end of the day, you could do this trip on a scooter with a backpack – this is just the machine I chose, and I’m quite fond of it.”
The Kawasaki is, admittedly, a preferred upgrade from a scooter… so how long was the prep?
Round-the-world tripper, Bridget McCutchen, gunning to be the youngest to circumnavigate our earth on a bike. Media sourced from Bridget’s website and Instagram.“From the conception of the idea to the first day I officially set off on the trip was about a year-and-a-half,” explains McCutchen.
“Most of that time I spent finding out what countries require visas, budgeting, and learning about world conflicts so that I wouldn’t run into trouble on the road.”
Curious about where Bridget and Mab are now?
Be sure to check out McCutchen’s social media, particularly her Instagram; we’ll keep you updated on the best of the latest here so sit tight, check out other cool news pieces we’ve recently covered, consider ad-free reading as the new haute WBW experience… you know the drill.
Stay safe on the twisties.