Around the world in 123 days

Andrew Nicholson is congratulated by his father Peter after arriving at Auckland International Airport, to finish his 28,970km ride around the world. Photograph by Brett Phibbs.

A former New Zealand speed-skating Olympian-turned-school teacher may be the new holder of the Guinness Book of World Records title for fastest person to cycle round the world.

Dunedin man Andrew Nicholson, who is a part-time gym instructor and primary school teacher, has managed the feat in 123 days, crossing the finish line in Auckland on Sunday.

If verified, the 45-year-old will have beaten the current record-holder, Englishman Alan Bate, by two days.

In his journey, which started on August 12, Mr Nicholson clocked 29,179 kilometers cycling through America, Canada, Europe, India, Southeast Asia and Australia.

"[The journey] was full of dramas as you can imagine. There were lots of highs and lows and dramas. I had the physical experiences as a rider and athlete but it was much more than just riding a bike. It was 24/7.

"If I wasn't cycling, I was cleaning bike shorts and trying to find food, eating constantly of course," he said.

Mr Nicholson, who averaged 237km a day during his four-month endeavour, said he faced "just about everything" along the way.

"I got caught in tropical downpours, thunderstorms with water coming halfway up the wheels. The closest I came to not finishing was probably when I had four days of non-stop rain in Turkey and I rode into Georgia and my bottom bracket, which is the bit of the bike you can't really carry a spare for, it started to seize up," he said.

"I thought I would never find a part to replace this but through some good help in New Zealand and online, I managed to find the one guy in Georgia who happened to have a bike shop that happened to have the one part and he happened to have one left that fit."

Mr Nicholson rode to raise awareness for cancer research group Te Aho Matatu at the Otago University and raised about $6000 for their cause.

"I had a friend who died of cancer and it was a reminder to live every day and do what you can while you can do it and chase gold and it all turned out to be a big success in the end," he said.

The former Olympian said it was a huge relief to have crossed the finish line and to have his feet back in the country.

"It felt fantastic. It was fantastic to know I got through safely and fantastic to have the support there with my family and friends," he said.

"It is a very strange feeling right now, it is my first night at home, to know I don't have to get up and ride all day. It was a major, major mission and it feels great to have completed."