I think the criteria for someone achieving this record are very selective.
1) (IMHO the toughest) - a commitment to ride at least 11 - 12 hours every day for 365 days. That's a level of dedication that drives world class musicians insane, top flight snooker players to get the jitters, and office workaholics like me to act like teapots.
2) In doing that you have to be able to ride at 18mph+ for that period (or increase the riding period to 14 hours per day) - see commitment 1
3) You require the social skills (have to be a nice enough person) that 1 - 2 others are going to give up their entire life for a year to support you, or 5 - 10 people are going to make a very serious commitment.
4) Willing to commit to the rules of the competiton around tracking etc, which imposes an additional level of discipline and stress.
The combination of all 4, odds against are astronomical. Hence why Kurt and Steve are so special for what they did manage to achieve last year.