The fastest crossing of the Sahara desert by bicycle was 13 days 5 hours 50 minutes and 14 seconds by Reza Pakravan (Iran) from 4 March to 17 March 2011. He set out on 4 March at 30° 00' 5" N and 2° 57' 2" E in Algeria and completed his journey at 17° 59' 2" N and 30° 59' 4" E, in Sudan on 17 March 2011. The total distance cycled was 1,734 km (1,083.85 mi). The journey was completed in two legs, due to unsafe travel conditions. The first leg started at 30° 00' 5" N and 2° 57' 2" E on 3 March 2011 and finished at 21° 52' 1" N and 5° 38' 6" E, near the Niger border on 12 March 2011. Raz flew from the city of Tamanrasset, Algeria to the city of Khartoum, Sudan and was transfered by car to the second leg of the trip which started at 21° 52' 2" N and 31° 25' 2" E, the same latitude where the first leg finished, on 14 March 2011. Raz finished the second leg at 17° 59' 2" N and 30° 59' 4" E on 17 March 2011. During the trip, Reza endured a strong sand storm, rain and abundant flies at the Nile River but was ultimately successful. Reza was supported by a team.