Danell Lynn

Danell Lynn is an American long distance motorcycle rider. As of 2016, she holds the Guinness record for the world’s longest motorcycle journey in a single country. She is the first woman to earn the record riding solo.[1]

Riding

Lynn's parents rode while she was in utero.[2] Around 2000, Lynn began riding pillion (i.e. as a passenger). About six years prior to her record-breaking trip, she decided she wanted to be in control. Although her desired ride was a Triumph Bonneville, she heeded the advice of family to begin with a starter bike as new riders inevitably drop (tip over and damage) their first bike. She purchased a 1982 Virago for $1200 and learned her riding and mechanical skills on it. She later purchased the Triumph, which she named Amelia.[2]

Prior to the US tour, Lynn had ridden as a passenger in Chile and Argentina. As a driver, she completed trips in Costa Rica, Cuba, Arizona, California, Utah and Colorado.[2]

Record-breaking trip

Lynn saved for two years, sold possessions,[3] and received sponsorship from Giant Loop, a motorcycle luggage supplier.[1][4] She left on Sep 19, 2014,[5] tracking her progress with a SPOT Tracker to meet the verification requirements of Guinness world records.[3] Over the next year, she traveled over 53,000 miles in all US states and three Canadian provinces; only the 48,600 miles (78,214 km) in the lower 48 US states counted towards the record.[6] She completed the trip August 29, 2015.[6]

Lynn stated she thought it would be a "grand statement" for a woman to make the journey, but she was told a woman-specific category would not be added. She then decided to break the existing record for the longest trip in a single country.[2]

Personal life

The daughter of an Air Force service member, Lynn lived in Europe with two siblings as a child.[3] Lynn graduated from Cooper High School in Abilene, Texas in 2000.[5] A frequent traveler, by the age of 19 she had visited every US state.[3] Lynn also works as a custom fashion designer;[7][8] in 2009 she designed the first NFL authorized ball-gown out of recycled Arizona Cardinals jerseys for sale at a charity auction.[9]

Awards

Lynn has been awarded four Iron Butt awards and an American Motorcycle Association Long Rider award.[2]

References

  1. 1 2 "Rider Danell Lynn Sets New Guinness World Record". Rider. 29 March 2016. Retrieved 21 May 2016.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "World Record Rider Danell Lynn". American Motorcyclist: 20. June 2016.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "ONE WOMAN, ONE MOTORCYCLE, ONE YEAR, ONE RECORD". RevZilla.com. 22 Sep 2015. Retrieved 21 May 2016.
  4. ↑ "The Big Idea – Giant Loop". Retrieved 26 May 2016.
  5. 1 2 George Levesque (January 15, 2015), Cooper grad travels the U.S. hoping to break world record on motorcycle trip, Abilene, Texas: KTXS Television News
  6. 1 2 "Longest journey by motorcycle in a single country". Guinness World Records. Retrieved 21 May 2016.
  7. ↑ "About".
  8. ↑ Laura Garcia (November 18, 2014), "Woman rides cross country for world record", The Victoria Advocate, Victoria, Texas
  9. ↑ Kohl, Gillian Ferris (7 November 2009). "NFL Fashions A Plan To Dress Up Female Fans". npr. Retrieved 21 May 2016.
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