Congratulations to Anna Mei who set the 24-hour Gravel record in these categories: Female 50-59 age-group, upright bike
She set a total of these 10 records during this attempt – These are also new overall (non-age group) Guinness records!
| Distance Event Kilometers | Time | Avg Sp (Km) | Avg Sp (Miles) | |
| 100 Km Gravel | 04:09:13.41 | 24.07 | 14.96 | |
| 200 Km Gravel | 08:32:42.90 | 23.40 | 14.54 | |
| 300 Km Gravel | 13:09:16.94 | 22.81 | 14.17 | |
| 500 Km Gravel | 23:52:22.100 | 20.94 | 13.01 | |
| Distance Event Miles | Time | Avg Sp (Miles) | Avg Sp (Km) | |
| 100 Mile Gravel | 06:47:10.79 | 14.74 | 23.71 | |
| 200 Mile Gravel | 14:36:08.23 | 13.70 | 22.04 | |
| 300 Mile Gravel | 23:04:33.37 | 13.00 | 20.92 | |
| Timed Event | Miles | Kilometers | Avg Sp (Miles) | Avg Sp (Km) |
| 6 Hour Gravel | 88.939 | 143.134 | 14.82 | 23.86 |
| 12 Hour Gravel | 171.468 | 275.951 | 14.29 | 23.00 |
| 24 Hour Gravel | 312.311 | 502.616 | 13.01 | 20.94 |
RIDER NARRATIVE SUMMARY
| “More than a record, this was an authentic, intense, and deeply enriching experience shared with an extraordinary team.” |
When I crossed the finish line and heard the Italian National Anthem playing, I felt an overwhelming sense of joy. At that moment, I realized that we had not only achieved an important sporting result, but had also completed a journey built on passion, commitment, and an incredible team spirit.
Throughout the entire 24 hours, I felt good both physically and mentally. I never experienced any significant crisis and maintained a positive attitude from start to finish. I often found myself singing while riding, enjoying every phase of the challenge and fully embracing the experience. This mindset helped me stay focused and composed, even during the most demanding moments.
The weather conditions were generally favorable. During the daytime, temperatures were nearly perfect for a long-distance endurance performance. During the night, however, increasing humidity and a persistent wind created additional challenges and affected my average speed in certain sections of the race.
One of the most memorable moments was the sunrise. After many hours of darkness, seeing a large red sun emerge over the horizon and illuminate the racecourse was absolutely breathtaking. It was a deeply emotional moment that gave me renewed energy and motivation for the final hours ahead.
The opening section was the fastest part of the entire event. My sensations were excellent, and I chose to ride at a strong but controlled pace, using approximately 70% of my full potential. My goal was not to push to the limit from the very beginning, but to establish a solid advantage while preserving energy reserves for the long hours ahead. This approach allowed me to create a positive gap over the previous record benchmarks while maintaining complete control of the effort.
After the initial hours, I entered what endurance athletes often call the flow state. My average speed decreased slightly compared with the opening phase, but it became extremely consistent. I focused on rhythm, breathing, and efficiency rather than speed alone. Physically and mentally, this was probably the most harmonious period of the entire attempt. Every pedal stroke felt smooth, relaxed, and sustainable.
| PHASE 3 |
The nighttime hours were the most challenging. The wind became stronger and, together with increasing humidity, caused a reduction in average speed. However, the advantage built during the first two phases remained positive compared with the previous record benchmarks. The objective was no longer to increase the lead, but to manage it intelligently. I remained calm, kept a steady pace, and avoided unnecessary risks. The attempt remained fully under control throughout the night.
With the arrival of daylight, the wind gradually disappeared and conditions improved. As a result, my average speed increased slightly. By this stage, I knew the record was within reach, and my attention turned to one clear goal: surpassing 520 kilometers. Lap after lap, the certainty of reaching that milestone provided additional motivation. The final hours were filled with determination, excitement, and anticipation of the finish line.
One of the most important aspects of this achievement was the outstanding work of the support crew. For twenty-four hours, every member of the team performed their role with professionalism, dedication, and enthusiasm. We worked seamlessly together, solved problems, supported one another, and maintained a positive atmosphere throughout the event.
What I will remember most is not only the team’s efficiency, but also the unity we experienced. We were focused, connected, and genuinely enjoyed sharing this journey together.
The encouragement from the spectators throughout the event was truly special. Every cheer and every word of support provided an extra boost of energy.
Among all those present, the Butterfly Children held a special place in my heart. Their presence deeply touched me, and I dedicated this record to them as a symbol of admiration for their courage and strength. Their resilience is far more inspiring than any sporting achievement.
This record represents an important athletic accomplishment, but what I take away from this experience goes far beyond the distance covered. It was an extraordinary human journey filled with emotion, friendship, teamwork, and personal growth.
I will remember the red sunrise, the laughter shared with the team, the encouragement of the spectators, the presence of the Butterfly Children, and the incredible emotion of crossing the finish line while the Italian National Anthem played.
More than the final number recorded on the results sheet, I will carry with me the memory of an authentic, intense, and deeply enriching experience, shared with extraordinary people who helped transform a sporting challenge into a lifelong memory.