A cyclist from Nottingham has set out this morning to try and break the late Billie Fleming’s record for the greatest distance cycled by a woman in a year.
Kajsa Tylen aims to ride 31,069 miles (50,000 kilometres) in this year, which would take her nearly 1,500 miles beyond the distance Fleming set in 1938.
The 38-year-old, who was born in Sweden, started her journey at the Breaston branch of Leisure Lakes Bikes, who have supplied the Specialized Ruby Comp bike she is riding.
Another sponsor is Specsavers, where her mother, Tina Tylen, 65, worked until her recent retirement. She will spend this year supporting her daughter, including driving their caravan.
Tylen will need to cover 85 miles a day – today’s ride was planned to be 100 miles – between now and 30 December, the final day she is able to accrue distance, given that 2016 is a leap year.
She will spend most of the year in the UK, but will also cross over to the continent with and plans to head to Sweden – via France, Belgium, Germany and Denmark – to benefit from the midnight sun during the summer.
The ride isn’t looking to raise money for charity – instead, Tylen wants people to set their own challenges and pledge to undertake exercise, which she says will help motivate her.
A Strava group, The Sweat Pledge, has been set up for people to record their efforts, and more information is available on Tylen’s website.
I once drove out of a car park at the stipulated 10 m.p.h. An impatient driver behind me tried to get ahead by dodging down a side aisle - left,...
Don't think he's ever been banned from driving, I'm guessing so drunk most nights he gets a taxi home on someone else's account. I do know that...
It's almost like privatising the railroads makes as much sense as trying to privatise the roads, or emergency services..
Ooooh!
I'd strongly encourage those with strong prescriptions to look at Rudy Project. Their "dock" system, available with 3 frames, is outstanding. I...
Totally agree with you on all your points. I do my utmost to not run lights and will be seen shaking my head when someone else does. There have...
I used to self-identify as a waning moon, but it was just a phase I was going through
Agreed. Instead of messing about with gears it's about getting into a nice rhythm and riding up. It's really not much slower or more tiring than...
For community and recreational cycling, you are better off being a member of We Are Cycling UK. They are a charity who actually have the average...
What region though? My experiences of Strathclyde are that they're not really bothered unless it's a KSI. I remember one time having a chat with...