One Day.
Two World Records.
An Unforgettable Story.

From sunrise in the East to sunset in the West

The Vision

On the longest day of 2025, as the sun rises over Bad Nieuweschans, a unique journey begins. A 400-kilometer ride across the Netherlands, from its easternmost point to where the sun sets in Westkapelle.

One day, two world records, and countless stories waiting to unfold.

The Journey

Picture this: Morning mist rising over peaceful farmlands. Historic windmills emerging through golden dawn light. Cities awakening as wheels turn steadily westward. Dutch cyclists joining spontaneously for segments of support. All culminating in a dramatic sunset finish at Westkapelle's coast.

This isn't just about distance. It's about capturing the essence of Dutch cycling culture, sustainable transportation, and human determination – all unfolding across the country's diverse landscapes in a single day.

The Records

The current record for greatest distance on an electric bicycle in 12 hours stands at 286.16 km. It's a formidable mark, set in 2018 by a dedicate cyclist pushing the boundaries of what's possible with modern e-bikes. But records are meant to be broken, and this attempt aims to push that boundary further.

The second record is entirely new territory – the fastest electric bicycle crossing from the Netherlands' easternmost to westernmost points. No one has officially attempted this yet, making it not just a race against time, but a journey into the unknown.

The Story Elements

• The Records: Two Guinness World Record attempts, including the first-ever documented east-to-west Netherlands crossing by electric bicycle
• The Innovation: Strategic battery swaps showcasing how e-bike technology is revolutionizing long-distance travel
• The Human Element: A 50-year-old proving that age is just a number
• The Landscapes: From eastern farmlands to western beaches, through urban centers and historic towns
• The Community: Local cyclists, supporters, and spectators becoming part of the story
• The Technology: Modern e-bikes meeting traditional Dutch cycling culture

The Numbers

• 384-404 kilometers
• 16-21 hours of continuous movement
• 8-10 strategic stops
• Countless memorable moments

The Protagonist

I'm Mauricio Wolff – a Brazilian-Australian product designer, father, and everyday adventurer. I recently completed the Amsterdam Half Marathon without training, surpassing my previous record by 5 minutes. Now, as I approach my 50th birthday, I'm embracing my most ambitious challenge yet.

The Unexpected Half Marathon

Sometimes the best stories start with "why not?" Three days before the 2024 Amsterdam Marathon, a colleague's race number became available – but for the half marathon, not the 6.5km I had trained for. Despite only running 5km a handful of times this year, I thought, "Why not?" The next day, I collected the race number. The day after, I bought proper running gear.

On race day, not only did I complete the 21km, but I beat my personal best from six years ago by 5 minutes. This wasn't just about physical preparation – it was about mental strength, about believing in possibilities, about taking chances.

Why This Challenge Matters

At 50 years old, this east-to-west crossing represents more than just a personal challenge. It's a testament to the idea that age shouldn't define our limits. It's about showing that sustainable transportation isn't just for short commutes – it can reshape how we think about long-distance travel.

The Netherlands, with its rich cycling culture and advanced infrastructure, provides the perfect canvas for this story. Every kilometer will showcase how tradition meets innovation, how personal challenge meets community support, and how individual effort meets collective environmental consciousness.

This journey also carries a deeper message: that extraordinary achievements don't require superhuman abilities – they require belief, determination, and the courage to try. Just as the unexpected half marathon proved, our limits often exist only in our minds.

The route

From the eastern border to the western coast, this carefully planned route takes us through the heart and soul of the Netherlands. Starting in Bad Nieuweschans (Point A), the journey weaves through six provinces, showcasing the country's diverse landscapes and rich cultural heritage.

Key Segments

• Eastern Beginnings
  • Bad Nieuweschans → Assen
    • Dawn departure from the easternmost point
    • Through Groningen's peaceful countryside
    • Past traditional farmlands and morning mist
• Northern Passage
  • Assen → Zwolle
    • Drenthe's historic hunebedden region
    • Rolling through national park landscapes
• Central Corridor
  • Zwolle → Utrecht
    • Along the IJssel River valley
    • Through the Veluwe's natural reserves
    • Historic Hanseatic towns
• Urban Heart
  • Utrecht → Rotterdam
    • Dutch Golden Age architecture
    • Modern city landscapes
    • Green corridors connecting urban centers
• Coastal Finale
  • Rotterdam → Westkapelle
    • Crossing the massive Dutch Delta works
    • Through Zeeland's iconic islands
    • Final stretch along the North Sea coast

Route Highlights

• Total Distance: 384 km
• Provinces Crossed: Groningen, Drenthe, Overijssel, Utrecht, Zuid-Holland, Zeeland
• Major Cities: Assen, Zwolle, Utrecht, Rotterdam
• Notable Features: Rivers, polders, historic towns, modern cities, coastal defenses

Records I'm aiming for

1. 450583 Greatest distance on an electric bicycle in 12 hours (2018) (286.163 km)
2. Fastest Electric Bicycle Crossing from the Easternmost to Westernmost Points of the Netherlands Pending Approval

The Impact

This journey represents more than just a personal achievement or record attempt. It's a statement about:

• Sustainable Mobility: Demonstrating how e-bikes can be viable for long-distance travel
• Active Aging: Inspiring the 50+ community to embrace new challenges
• Dutch Innovation: Showcasing the Netherlands' world-leading cycling infrastructure
• Community Spirit: Bringing people together through a shared adventure
• Environmental Awareness: Promoting zero-emission transportation alternatives

The Bikes & Support System

This journey across the Netherlands represents more than just traveling from point A to B - it's about experiencing and sharing the essence of Dutch landscapes and communities. Our choice of e-bikes embodies the perfect blend of Dutch cycling culture and modern innovation, allowing us to connect with our surroundings while maintaining a sustainable approach to this adventure.

A carefully designed support system transforms what could be logistical challenges into opportunities for deeper storytelling moments. Through an innovative battery-swapping approach, we create natural rhythms in our journey that allow for both efficient progress and meaningful encounters.

Equipment & Support

• 3x Cowboy Cruiser e-bikes (factory standard)
  • Primary rider (protagonist)
  • Videographer with filming equipment
  • Backup bike/alternative angles
• 10x Batteries for continuous journey
  • Enables efficient battery swapping every 50km
  • No charging stops needed during daily rides

Capture Equipment

• Audio

  • Throat-contact microphone system for wind-resistant voice capture
  • Backup wireless lavalier microphones

• Video

  • 3D camera system mounted on bike frame (180° coverage)
  • Chest-mounted action camera for rider perspective
  • Handlebar-mounted action camera for forward view
  • Additional mounting points for dynamic angles

Support Teams

• Team A: Battery & Technical

  • Battery swapping operations every 50km
  • Basic maintenance and equipment checks
  • Mobile technical support
  • Camera gear maintenance

• Team B: Rider Support

  • Nutrition and hydration
  • 10-minute structured pit stops
  • Equipment and gear management
  • Real-time social media updates

Logistics

• Coordinated pit stops every 50km

• 10-minute efficient breaks including:

  • Battery swap
  • Nutrition/hydration
  • Equipment check
  • Content capture opportunity
  • Media backup and gear check

The bike: Cowboy Cruiser

Why Cowboy?

The Cowboy Cruiser represents the pinnacle of e-bike innovation - a buttonless, intelligent system that adapts to your riding style automatically. As the most advanced e-bike system available today, it embodies what urban mobility will look like in the future.

Its sophisticated sensors and adaptive motor control eliminate the need for manual adjustments, creating an almost telepathic connection between rider and machine. This seamless integration of technology and cycling makes it the perfect companion for our journey across the Netherlands, where the country's rich cycling heritage meets its innovative future.

The choice of Cowboy bikes, particularly their Cruiser model, aligns perfectly with both the spirit and practical demands of this journey. The Cruiser's Dutch-inspired upright riding position honors the cycling heritage of the Netherlands while providing the comfort needed for long-distance riding.

Key Advantages

• Designed for Dutch Riding Culture

  • Upright position matches local cycling style
  • Comfortable for extended journeys
  • Natural engagement with surroundings

• Smart Integration

  • Built-in GPS tracking
  • Mobile app integration for route recording
  • Real-time performance metrics
  • Theft prevention features

• Technical Specifications

  • Range up to 70km per charge
  • Removable battery system enabling our swap strategy
  • Integrated lights for safety
  • All-weather capability
  • Minimal maintenance requirements

• Environmental Impact

  • Zero direct emissions
  • Sustainable manufacturing practices
  • Promotes eco-friendly travel
  • Aligns with Dutch environmental values

Roadmap

Join the Journey

This journey represents more than just a crossing of the Netherlands or breaking records. It's about proving that sustainable transportation can cover vast distances. It's about showing that age is just a number when pursuing ambitious goals. Most importantly, it's about inspiring others to push their own boundaries, whatever they may be.

From the misty sunrise in Bad Nieuweschans to the golden sunset in Westkapelle, every kilometer will tell a story of determination, innovation, and possibility. Through careful preparation, community support, and relentless spirit, we'll demonstrate what's possible when we dare to dream big.

Be part of this historic journey. Together, we can inspire a future where sustainable adventures know no bounds.

Mauricio Wolff

[email protected]