Leaving her small Wisconsin town, Bayfield County woman targets motorcycle record

Bridget McCutchen grew up in a tiny Bayfield County city wanting to go away her bubble and uncover the world together with her horse, Mab.

McCutchen had an innate inclination to discover and wander round nature, rising her adventurous spirit. She grew up exterior the city of Kelly, about 10 minutes from the village of Mason. She referred to as Mason a “very itty-bitty place” with 100 or so folks.

However one thing at all times stopped her from taking that journey with Mab. Possibly subsequent summer time would work, she thought. She stored placing the journey off till it was too late — Mab died just lately.

“I believe I used to be somewhat nervous,” McCutchen mentioned. “I by no means made it occur. So, it by no means occurred, and I actually remorse that.”

McCutchen is completed laying aside adventures. Subsequent month, she is getting down to turn out to be the youngest lady to circumnavigate the world on a bike — a 2020 Kawasaki Versys-X 300 she named after Mab. 

“So, Mab, take me all over the world!” she mentioned.

To qualify for the document, McCutchen, 21, mentioned she should journey at the very least 24,900 miles. She mentioned the present document holder, Henry Crew, was 23 when he completed his 50,000-mile journey.

She just lately joined Wisconsin Public Radio’s “Central Time” and later spoke in a cellphone interview by means of a headset. She talked whereas using her bike in Ohio, getting back from a visit partially meant to check out new gear — a few of which got here by means of sponsorship. 

McCutchen finds bikes extra participating than vehicles, which she likened to shifting by means of the world in a bubble. A bike, she mentioned, is like strolling on a forest path, taking on the planet round you. 

“I really like bikes,” she mentioned. “I believe they’re the best factor since sliced bread.”

For the world document, McCutchen is prohibited from staying in the identical place for greater than two weeks except she has a medical want.

She is planning to go away Wisconsin and drive to the West Coast. Then she’ll go to Central and South America. After which she’ll fly her bike to the UK and make her approach throughout Europe. 

However that’s the place her certainty ends. McCutchen mentioned her journey’s price range is now $30,000, which is $6,000 greater than she initially thought was wanted. She initially wished to go away in Could, however the conflict in Ukraine pressured her to rethink, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported final month.

Geopolitical concerns stay an issue. The conflict is ongoing, so she mentioned avoiding a drive by means of Russia is perhaps needed. She mentioned she might journey by means of China or Iran to get by means of to the opposite aspect of Asia, however these convey challenges, like lockdowns or anti-American sentiment. 

Her deliberate departure date is Aug. 10, although she determined to stay within the U.S. somewhat longer than she first anticipated. As an alternative of going straight to Mexico, she believes she is going to make it there in September. 

McCutchen’s oldest brother got here up with the thought for this journey. She mentioned her mother heard the plan, loudly sighed and coated her eyes. Her dad was excited however mentioned she is going to want a GPS tracker the entire time.

She has some considerations herself. Whereas she used to surprise what stopped her from beginning, what retains McCutchen up now could be having to finish her journey early. Her bike might break. International occasions might shut borders. Her price range might run dry.

However she is taking a leap of religion. 

McCutchen mentioned she has by no means left the nation. Her childhood stayed “in my bubble of just about Wisconsin.” She obtained her itch to journey from the eight months she spent as a deckhand on a ship in Washington. 

“I obtained the style of it,” she mentioned. “I’m hooked. I actually need to see what the world has to supply.”