Cycling the Globe on Yamaha’s e-Bike
Sanders Conquers the World With Pedal Power
Nick is no stranger to epic journeys. A legend in the adventure world due to his lightning-fast laps of the globe - mainly aboard Yamaha motorcycles - his multiple world records include: cycling around the Northern Hemisphere in 138 days, the fastest ride around the coast of Great Britain, and the fastest round-the-world on a motorcycle. Approaching his mid-sixties, Sanders decided to return to pedal-power roots.
Climbing up along the Chinese border at 16,000 feet is something I’ll never forget
In 1981, Sanders made headlines with the fastest coastal cycle ride around Britain, and in 1984, he set a Guinness World Record for the fastest round-the-world ride on a bicycle. The Yamaha e-bike he chose for his return to two-wheeled pedal power provided the perfect platform for him to combine his love for cycling with his passion for pushing the limits.
Setting off from Yamaha Motor Europe’s headquarters in Amsterdam - the home of cycling - the 229-day odyssey saw the Brit cross five continents and 28 countries. Unlike his previous motorcycle trips, which were characterised by speed and power, this journey was about endurance, precision, and reconnecting with the raw essence of cycling.
The first leg of the journey took him to Athens, a relatively smooth start that allowed time to get acquainted with the Yamaha. From there, he ferried to Israel and embarked on a 35-day, 5000-kilometre ride through the Middle East, eventually reaching Dubai. This part of the trip was an early test of the e-bike’s durability and Sanders’ resilience in harsh desert conditions and scorching heat.
India presented the next major challenge. Beginning in Mumbai, he cycled north to New Delhi before tackling the Himalayas. Reaching altitudes of up to 16,000 feet, the Yamaha’s electric-assist proved its worth, helping to conquer the steep climbs that only elite athletes would attempt on a traditional bicycle. Sanders celebrated the end of the leg in Kolkata after 40 days and nearly 6000 kilometers of cycling. After a few days rest, he began navigating Southeast Asia, covering Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Malaysia in a 31-day, 4400-kilometer ride.
Australia was the next major milestone. Sanders, familiar with the Australian outback from previous motorcycle trips, took on the sun-scorched roads of the Northern Territory. The 44-degree heat in Perth greeted him as visited Balcatta-based Yamaha dealer Cully’s Yamaha to collect a set of batteries for his e-bike. Restrictions on flying with Lithium batteries in your luggage meant a little forward planning was required for the fly-in fly-out legs, and the Yamaha Motor Australia Parts and Accessories department were more than happy to provided Nick with the batteries required to complete the Aussie leg of his journey.
The Australian leg, a 4600-kilometer ride from Darwin to Sydney via Adelaide and Melbourne, was completed in just 25 days with time to catch up with Yamaha Motor Australia’s Land Mobility Market Manager, Sean Goldhawk.
Departing Australia from Sydney, Sanders flew to New Zealand for a six-day, 1050-kilometer ride from Christchurch to Auckland. The quiet, scenic roads of New Zealand providing a much-needed mental break before the final push across the United States.
The American leg of the journey saw Sanders riding from Los Angeles to New York, a classic cross-country route that many adventurers have taken before him. The vast, straight roads of the US, combined with the heat and the psychological challenge of endless horizons, made this one of the most gruelling parts of the journey.
The final leg took Sanders back to Europe, where he cycled from Madrid through the Pyrenees and across France before returning to Amsterdam. The journey officially ended with a triumphant crossing of Westminster Bridge in London.
Throughout the journey, Sanders rode alone on his Yamaha e-bike, documenting his experiences with action cameras and sharing his adventure on social media. The solitude of the trip, coupled with the physical demands of cycling at least 160km each day, pushed his mind and body to the limit. Yet, despite the challenges, he emerged not only successful but also rejuvenated, having lost nine kilograms and rediscovered his passion for cycling.
With the dust settling on his adventure, Nick looked back on the fondest moment of his epic ride. “It has to be the Himalayas,” he explained. “Climbing up along the Chinese border at 16,000 feet was just something I’ll never forget, and what also made it special was how the Yamaha e-bike helped me every step of the way. The electric support you get from that bike on the uphills and headwinds means you can live in the moment and enjoy it. It’s fantastic.”
“What I love most about the e-Bike is that it opens a world of cycling to everyone. Even for someone like me who is used to riding Yamaha motorcycles, I was able to jump on this e-Bike and start pedalling around the world!”