After 21 days, 10 hours and 48 minutes, Molly Weaver has smashed the British coastline record, cycling more than 7,700km in a little over three weeks to beat the previous best time by 17 hours.
It’s a record that has stood since 1984 and one that has never previously been held by a female rider. In fact, Weaver’s team says she is the first woman to even attempt the feat — and what an attempt it was. The former pro cyclist smashed the world record for cycling Britain’s coastline and raised more than £10,200 for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) in the process.
Having set off on June 15th, Molly returned to Tower Bridge in London on Sunday to beat the previous record set by Nick Sanders more than 40 years ago.
Clothing brand Albion Cycling, one of Molly’s major supporters, explained how she also hoped her effort would inspire more women to chase her time in the future, the ride also establishing a first women’s time too.
“This was the first time a woman had attempted to break the British circumnavigation world record,” the brand explained, sharing pictures from the finish line. “Although taking the overall record was Molly’s overall ambition, she was also determined to establish a strong women’s record for more women to chase over the coming years and show what’s capable of on a bike.
“Molly’s journey has inspired athletes and adventurers worldwide, proving the power of challenges closer to home, whilst raising money for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) on her way as she passed over 100 RNLI lifeboat stations.”
At the time of writing her JustGiving page has received £10,248 in donations, far surpassing the initial £7,730 target.
To break the record Molly needed to average around 350km-a-day, every day, for three weeks. During that coastline-conquering distance she climbed the equivalent of more than eight ascents of Everest.
It’s been a spectacular summer for record-crushing rides, Molly’s effort coming a month after Dr Sarah Ruggins rode from John o’ Groats to Land’s End and back in just five days, 11 hours, and 14 minutes.
Like Ruggins, Molly’s record too means she now holds a prestigious cycling record outright, placing her in the rarefied sporting air of female athletes who hold both men’s and women’s endurance records.
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15 thoughts on “Molly Weaver sets new outright British circumnavigation world record, cycling entire 7,700km coastline in 21 days”
(No subject)
Chapeau!
Chapeau!
Gave her a cheer as she flew
Gave her a cheer as she flew past my work all the way back on the 17th. Absolutely brilliant effort, and the record is well deserved.
Chapeau Molly!
She passed 60ft from my front
She passed 60ft from my front door yesterday morning, absolutely floating along, smiling, happy to share a few words. She looked in total control of her effort. A joy to have been able to see her on this momentus ride.
Quote:
Again, no.
“No” just doesn’t work as a
“No” just doesn’t work as a response there 0/10 for effort. Must do better.
No.
No.
It does if you click the link
It does if you click the link
Went out to give her a cheer
Went out to give her a cheer as she rode through our town, wasnt sure what to expect after 20days of her riding nearly 400km per day. But she was smiling, waved, looked absolutely in control of the efforts she was making, remarkable achievement.
Chapeau Molly, incredible
Chapeau Molly, incredible stuff.
And chapeau to all who contributed to her justgiving page for a very worthwhile cause.
To the RNLIers, I doff my cap for what is a very perilous job. Thank you.
Amazing. Chapeau indeed. What
Amazing. Chapeau indeed. What an effort.
Chapeau.
Chapeau.
However, is it a ‘World Record’?
Unless every club 10mi TT winner or Str*va Segment holder claims a World Record?
It’s a ‘world record’ in the
It’s a ‘world record’ in the sense that it’s faster than has been done by anybody of any nationality (as opposed to just faster than any other British person). Although how many people of any other nationality have actually attempted it is a fair question. For that matter, one wonders how many British people have even attempted it – a bit of searching around has only uncovered Mark Beaumont, Gavin Towers, and, er, Timmy Mallett.
*checks Wikipedia* It’s
*checks Wikipedia* It’s recognised as a world record course by the World Ultra Cycling Association who in turn are recognised by Guinness World Records as the authority for ultra distance cycling records. Once Molly’s ride is verified by WUCA it should go into the Guinness Book as a world record.
Saw her scoff 9 large cod ‘n’
Saw her scoff 9 large cod ‘n’ chips’ washed down with a full litre of mint Baileys on Wed. Or it could have been someone else.