Congratulations to Aidan McDonagh, who set 3 new Outdoor Velodrome records in the Male 7-8 Age-group on an upright bike. From WUCA’s perspective the youngest boy ever to set records in 100 Km, 100 Miles, and 6-hour.
Aiden is the youngest person to set these records at 8 Yrs 309 days
| Distance Event Kilometers | Time | Avg Sp (Km) | Avg Sp (Miles) | |
| 100 Km Outdoor Velodrome | 03:58:09.22 | 25.19 | 15.65 | |
| Distance Event Miles | Time | Avg Sp (Miles) | Avg Sp (Km) | |
| 100 Mile Outdoor Velodrome | 06:39:55.84 | 15.00 | 24.14 | |
| Timed Event | Miles | Kilometers | Avg Sp (Miles) | Avg Sp (Km) |
| 6 Hour Outdoor Velodrome | 89.660 | 144.294 | 14.94 | 24.05 |
AIDAN MCDONAGH RIDER SUMMARY
Rider’s Narrative Summary
Record Attempt: Aidan McDonagh – Velodrome – 100 mile, 100 km, 6 hours
Name of Rider: Aidan McDonagh (age 8)
Date & Time: October 26, 2025 – 10:16 AM to 4:58 PM
Exact Finish Time: 6 hours, 40 minutes, 54 seconds
Start & Finish Location: Preferred Valley Cycling Center Velodrome, Trexlertown, PA, USA
Weather Overview
• Temperature: Approximately 59°F (15°C) in the morning
• Sky Conditions: Partly cloudy to mostly clear, with no precipitation
• Wind: Light breeze, 5–10 mph, likely from the west or northwest
• Humidity: Moderate, typical for late October in eastern Pennsylvania
• Track Surface: Dry and stable—ideal for high-speed velodrome riding
Equipment Used
• Fuji Ace bike with 650c wheels with orange colored bar tape (because it matched my bike) • Magene bike computer
• Power meter pedals and new clip-in pedals
• Green cycling shoes
• Heartrate monitor (though it doesn’t always work well on kids)
• A modified seat pack mounted on the front to carry food
What Did You Eat & Drink?
• All-natural energy gels (Huma Gels)
• Dried cheese crisps
• Granola balls
• Chocolate brownies (they taste amazing at mile 70)
• All natural Vital Electrolytes mixed into water
Best Part of the Ride
The best part was the finish—plus all the snacks! My dad kept bringing me food and water like a pit crew, which was awesome. I felt like a pro racer. Still, when my mom started blasting “The Final Countdown,” I knew we were almost done and got super pumped. It felt like we were winning a race on TV.
Hardest Part
The middle was the hardest. Every ride has that one part where you hit a giant invisible wall in your legs and mind, and for me it was around mile 50. My legs were cramping and my brain was like, “Are we still going in circles?” But I remembered what Tour de France riders do—I told my legs to be quiet and went to my happy place. That helped me keep going, even when it felt like forever.
Did Anything Weird Happen?
Not really during the ride—it was sunny and perfect. But we were super late getting started because trying to get my brother and myself ready (plus our little brother and sister that also wanted to ride their own bikes) and it feels like herding squirrels with all of us. It took a long time to get set up because we needed to make sure the officials were ready and bikes were set up with all the cameras. I also started out faster than my brother and lapped him a couple of times. He is usually faster than me.
Why Did You Want to Do a Record?
By Ethan and Aidan
Most records begin with a stopwatch.
Ours began with a story.
A tribute in motion. A legacy passed down. A finish line redefined. And a new lane opened—for every kid who dares to dream.
—
It started with a quiet man and a finish line no one saw coming.
Grandpa Dan wasn’t flashy. He didn’t want a memorial or a plaque. But when he passed away from Parkinson’s in 2024, we knew we had to honor him in motion. He was the kind of man who started running in his 40s and didn’t stop—even when his body said no. He taught our mom that grit isn’t loud. It’s steady. It’s showing up when the odds say don’t.
That lesson didn’t skip a generation.
Our first rides were in trailers and tag-a-longs, bundled up and smiling through the miles. By age 6, the only video game we had was Zwift. So we built a computer from scratch, found old CompuTrainers for $20, and started riding. Ethan rode 100 miles during a snowstorm. That lit a fire. Aidan, always watching, always pedaling behind, found his own spark.
In 2024, we rode 76 miles to the beach. When we got there, we didn’t ask for ice cream. We asked if we could do it again. After building sandcastles and swimming, we started dreaming bigger.
—
In 2025, we trained for the Spellbound Century. Jorge, the ride director, took a chance on us—letting under-18 riders join when most said no. Guinness World Records even pre-approved a record attempt. But after we finished the ride, they changed their rules: only riders 16 and up could qualify for the youngest to ride 100 miles. We were too young.
We didn’t flinch. We were having fun—record or no record.
That’s when TNT, a local cycling team found us. Or maybe we found them. A team that didn’t care about age and never left anyone behind. While other teams said, “How can an 8-year-old hold 23 mph in a paceline?” TNT said, “Let’s find out.” They trained with us, believed in us, and gave us a place when most doors stayed shut.
So we built our own path.
We kept asking ride directors: “Can we ride as a family? Can kids be part of this?” Some said no. But Team Foster said yes—thanks to TNT, who sent good vibes and encouragement. In less than two weeks, we raised over $1,000 to support veterans. We rode 100 miles to Cape May, NJ in a platoon and learned about the importance of service dogs.
Then we rode the Giro Del Vino (another organized ride by Jorge) and we met the Major Taylor Cycling Club of Brooklyn. They didn’t just welcome us—they pushed us to new heights, helping us hold a 22 mph pace and teaching us about a world champion who broke barriers with grace and speed.
—
Major Taylor once said, “I was a pioneer, and therefore had to blaze my own trail.”
We’re doing that too—blazing a trail for youth endurance, for family-led cycling, and for redefining what’s possible.
Then we found World Ultra Cycling Association (WUCA). They didn’t see youth as a limit. They saw us as leaders. That’s when we met Larry, an ultra-distance cyclist who became our mentor. He showed us how to pull this off. This time, the door didn’t close. This time, the record was real.
We needed one thing: a velodrome.
Dad remembered the track where he trained as a junior. We went for a 10-mile test and fell in love with riding solo on the oval.
And then came Mr. Alex.
He wasn’t a cyclist. He was our chess teacher. But he taught us how to think in moves—how to pace like a pawn, attack like a knight, and protect our energy like a king. He studied WUCA rules, helped us map lap splits, and became a certified WUCA official—just so he could help validate our ride.
He once told us, “In chess, you don’t win by rushing. You win by seeing the whole board.” That mindset carried us through the time trial.
The next weekend, with Larry’s help and Mr. Alex on the stopwatch, we did the record attempt. —
Why We Ride …
Because every kid deserves a starting line.
Cycling isn’t just about speed or distance—it’s about belonging. And for too long, youth have been left out unless they fit a mold, meet an age requirement, or find the “right” team. We ride to change that.
We ride to prove that 8- and 10-year-olds can hold pace lines, complete centuries, and inspire entire communities. That used bikes and DIY setups can still carry dreams. That belief is the most powerful gear you can give a kid.
Our goal isn’t just to set records. It’s to open doors.
To help other cycling families say, “We can do that too.”
To help other kids believe, “I belong here.”
To help teams and ride directors ask, “What if we made room for kids and families?” This ride was a tribute. A movement. A moment.
But more than anything, it was an invitation.
Let’s build a cycling community where every kid has a place to pedal.
Let’s redefine what’s possible—together.
Thank You from Ethan & Aidan
We want to say a huge thank you to everyone who helped make our record attempt possible. It wasn’t just about riding 100 miles—it was about the incredible team behind us.
• Larry from WUCA – Thank you for believing in us and helping make this official. Your support means the world.
• Mr. Alex and Michell, our officials – You kept everything on track and made sure our ride counted. We’re so grateful for your time and care.
• Mom – You were our biggest cheerleader, our chief crew member, and the one who kept our spirits high. You woke us up early for those long training rides, made sure we had a solid base, and always advocated for us to be included and supported. From music to motivation, you made the finish line feel like a celebration.
• Dad – You were the ultimate pit crew, always showing up with snacks, drinks, and encouragement. You let us ride to the beach, draft behind you, and you shared your love of cycling with us every step of the way.
• Jorge – Thank you for believing we could complete the Spellbound and for letting us ride with the team you built. That meant everything.
• TNT Team – You let us chase the A group, mentored us, and cheered us on in other fun rides. You helped us ride stronger and smarter.
• Major Taylor Cycling Club of Brooklyn – Thank you for letting us hang in your draft and teaching us to reach new heights. Riding with you showed us what’s possible when you push together.
It took a special community to make this happen—and we are forever thankful. Every lap, every cheer, every snack, and every song helped us reach the finish line. This record belongs to all of you.
Our Mission 100 has just blasted off … with gratitude,
Ethan & Aidan
Where You Can Find Us
Follow Ethan & Aidan’s cycling adventures, records, and behind-the-scenes fun:
• Website: ethanaidan.com
• Instagram: @ethanaidan100
• Facebook: Ethan & Aidan
• YouTube Channel: @Ethan_Aidan