Veteran aims to break three world records as he cycles around the world alongside his son

George Bunn
Fri, 24 Apr 2026 17:45:13 +0000

A veteran is just days away from completing a massive cycling challenge across the world with his son, making the father-son a potential triple world record breaker.

George Kohler, and his son Joshua, from Norfolk, set off from their home last March and have travelled through Europe, Asia, Australia and the Americas.

Next week, they'll be setting off from France before cycling through London, returning to their home in Acle, having raised thousands for Unicef.

Now, they have spoken to GB News about what inspired their incredible trip and some of the highlights on their round-the-world cycle.

TRENDING

Stories

Videos

Your Say

Joshua, a filmmaker, said his appetite for global exploration was launched after a school visit from Northern Irish adventurer, Leon McCarron.

After a cycle across America in 2022, the two of them were looking to move onto a larger challenge, with Joshua saying: "We came up the idea of cycling around the world, and we looked into it, and no father and son has ever done it before.

"So we approached Guinness World Records, and are now very, very close to receiving three world records when we finish in a week's time."

If successful, the two will hold the record for the being the fastest father and son to cycle around the world, as well as the longest distance ever cycled by a father and son and the most countries traveled on a bicycle by a father and son.

On their year long travel, the pair said they were particularly struck by the "generosity and goodness of people."

George, who served in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers and now works as a chimney sweep, said: "[We were] sitting on the top of the Tibetan Plateau, having our sandwiches, and all of a sudden, these monks appear and bring us water and yogurts and then take selfies and then just disappear after the greeting is out the middle of nowhere.

"That's been a theme that's been pretty consistent all throughout the journey. You know, 31 countries and people in every country have been amazing, amazingly hospitable."

Joshua added: "One that's really sticks with me is we were cycling through a remote part of Turkey in the morning, and that up on the side of the hill, there was a shepherd with his herd of sheep, and he beckoned us over, and he had a little campfire going with a teapot on it.

"He shared his breakfast with us, and we just sat down with him on on the grass and had a breakfast with a shepherd.

"Which was a really unique experience. It was just a really wholesome and unique experience that we'll we'll remember forever."

LATEST STORIES HIGHLIGHTING THE BEST OF BRITAIN

England's biggest St George’s cross unveiled as council vows to 'continue to fly it with pride'

Southport dads who have become 'like brothers' to run London Marathon together in memory of their daughters

Royal Marines trounce US Navy 11-1 in 'special relationship' boxing blowout

However, the trip hasn't been smooth cycling, with one particularly thorny moment being travelling across Kyrgyzstan, having to push their bikes along hard along gravel tracks to get up to over 3,000 meters.

George said: "The descent was the same, going down again just a gravel track, so you're on the brakes all the time, being bumped around.

"It's hot, it's dusty to get to the bottom, and finally when it starts to flatten out, Joshua started getting attacked by bees.

"So he's been stung all over his body by bees, so dealing with that, and then he drops the bike on his on his foot.

"So it was all getting quite emotional, but we just have to pick yourself up. Carry on."

Joshua said they also had to overcome mental challenges, especially while cycling in Australia when there would often be "hundreds and hundreds of kilometers of nothing".

He continued: "I think the toughest thing for both of us is the emotional challenge, and we were not expecting that at all and not prepared for it.

"It's really that's been the thing that we've found the hardest to overcome and especially spending the 13 months together, just the two of us, day in, day out, 24 hours a day."

However, both the father and son agreed the whole thing has brought them closer together, with George saying: "It's been a combination of understanding so much more as to what Joshua has done and is, more importantly, capable of and being able to deal with in the most harshest of environments. But also it's been a reflection getting to know myself far more."

Reflecting upon their trip, the two of them said they had a more positive attitude towards the world, although they admitted they would not likely embark on another monster cycling challenge.

Joshua said: "There's phenomenal sights to see, but universally, the people that we've come across have been absolutely, unconditionally hospitable, which has been utterly heartwarming.

"We've been working with open arms everywhere we've gone, so that that, for me, has restored my faith in humanity massively."

To donate to the pair's fundraising page, click here.