Fresh from breaking the Guinness World Record for circumnavigating the world by bicycle with a staggering 18,225.7 miles (29,000km), Vin Cox has since launched the Global Bicycle Race.

Global Bicycle Race is billed as the ‘longest, toughest, most dramatic adventure competition ever’ with competitors challenged to race a route similar to that used by Cox on his challenge.

The race will require riders to complete a minimum distance of 18,000 miles using GPS to prove the route. Participants are allowed to devise their own route and ride supported or un-supported. Global Bicycle Race organisers will arrange an official start and finish and media support.

Based on Guinness World Record’s rules for Fastest Circumnavigation by Bicycle, participants will start together in London and race around the world returning to the same point to finish

The first Global Bicycle Race is set to go ahead in 2010, nicely coinciding with the start of the London 2012 Olympics. The race will start 160 days before the Olympics on Saturday 18 February 2012. This allows 140 days riding, 15 days transit, and a first rider finishing around Sunday 22nd July.

“The entry fee will be relatively low. It can’t be stated yet as costs haven’t been found for race insurance or for other services to the participants, but these are the only costs the entry fee will cover. The race organisation will be funded by sponsors.”

Not sure what bike one would use to take on such a challenge? Here’s a look at Vin’s actual bike, which is worthy of a closer look here.

More at www.greatbikeride.com and the new event website www.globalbicyclerace.com