Denise Mueller-Korenek

Cyclist, world speed record holder

What is Denise Mueller-Korenek known for?

Denise Mueller-Korenek, born around 1973, is a record-holding American cyclist known for her world records in paced bicycle land speed. Born into a family of daredevils in Valley Center, California, Denise's knack for extreme sports and record-setting seemed to be in her genes. Her father, Myron Mueller, is even recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the oldest person to bike the entire perimeter of the coterminous United States.

Denise attended Valley Center High School and after graduation, continued to push the limits in her career. She competed at a junior level initially, finishing in the top three spots in national and world events more than a dozen times. In total, she won national championships in road, track, and mountain biking 15 times, retiring at the young age of 19 in 1992.

After a hiatus of nearly two decades, during which she helmed her family's security business as the president and CEO, Denise returned to the cycling world in 2009. Not only did she compete in marathons and Ironman Triathlon competitions, but she also decided to challenge the world bicycle speed record, a goal that no woman had ever attempted before.

In 2016, she established the women's world record with a speed of 147.7 mph at the Bonneville Salt Flats. Not one to rest on her laurels, Denise broke the overall world record in 2018, previously held by Dutchman Fred Rompelberg. Denise recorded an astonishing average speed of 183.932 mph on a custom-built KHS bicycle, becoming the fastest cyclist on the planet.

An interesting fact about this world record attempt is the methodology involved in paced bicycle racing. The cyclist follows closely behind a pace car equipped with a wind shield, to reduce air resistance. The bicycle is geared so high that it must be towed by the pace car until it reaches 90 to 100 mph, after which the cyclist casts off the towrope and pedals under their own power. Denise's speed ultimately exceeded the previous record by almost 17 mph.

You can learn more about Denise's incredible journey and the technicalities of her record-breaking run in this Wall Street Journal documentary.