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Cyclists

A celebration of women cyclists who push boundaries on two wheels — from classic endurance routes across Britain to world-record rides that inspire adventure, resilience, and freedom.

Cycle from London to Paris in 24 hours

A popular endurance route connecting two iconic capitals, London, UK and Paris, France. The challenge draws cyclists from around the world, testing stamina and speed over roughly 300 miles, often completed in just one day.

Cycle from London to Brighton

 A classic UK cycling challenge covering around 55 miles (88 km) from the capital to the south coast. It’s a favourite first long-distance route for many women taking up endurance cycling, offering a rewarding mix of scenic countryside and coastal views.

LEJOG – Land’s End to John o’ Groats

The traversal of the whole length of the island of Great Britain between two extremities, in the southwest and northeast. There is no continuous long-distance path from Land's End to John o' Groats. 

  • Fastest woman to cycle Land’s End to John o’ Groats — Christina Mackenzie (Scotland) — 51 hrs 5 mins 27 secs — 30 July 2021.

    • Christina broke the women’s record for this historic ride, averaging remarkable speed and consistency across the 874-mile route. Her performance stands as a modern benchmark for endurance cyclists in the UK.

  • Youngest girl to complete Land’s End to John o’ Groats on her own bicycle — Evangeline Towers (UK) — age 10 — 14 August 2020.

    • Evangeline completed the 1,020.74-mile (1,642.72 km) journey over 22 days, cycling alongside her father and uncle. She covered the distance in 110 hours and 5 minutes, becoming the youngest solo girl to achieve the feat.

  • Youngest to complete Land’s End to John o’ Groats on a trailer bike — Rhoda Jones (UK) — age 4 years 4 months — 2 September 2018.

    • Rhoda, cycling on a trailer bike with her parents Katie and Tom Jones, finished the journey in 22 days, 3 hours and 26 minutes. Her sister Ruth Jones (UK), aged 5, completed the same journey earlier and became the fastest on a trailer bike.

 

Famous Routes & Endurance Races

  • First female to win the Transcontinental Race — Fiona Kolbinger (Germany) — 2021

  • First woman to ride the Everest equivalent elevation in 24 hours by bicycle — Sarah Hammond (Australia) — 2014

  • First to cycle the length of the Alps and climb the 8 highest Alpine mountains — Sophie Radcliffe (UK) — 2014

 

More Female Cycling Achievements

  • First woman to win the inaugural Tour de France Femmes — Annemiek van Vleuten (Netherlands) — 25 years old — July 2022

  • First French woman to win Tour de France Femmes — Pauline Ferrand-Prévôt (France) — 33 years old — 3 August 2025

  • First American to win the Tour de France Féminin — Marianne Martin (USA) — 1984

  • Oldest female to cross the USA east-to-west solo by standard bicycle — Lynn Salvo (USA) — 73 years 359 days — 15 September 2023

  • Fastest female solo 200 km road record by recumbent bicycle — Sandy Earl (USA) — 6 hrs 39 mins 50 secs — 12 March 2023

 

Community & Inspiration

Pushbike Girl – Interviews with Solo Female Cyclists

An inspiring collection of stories from solo female cyclists around the world who travel vast distances, explore new cultures, and challenge what’s possible on two wheels.

Related Tough Girl Podcast Episodes

Shona Macpherson

Taking on new challenges at 40 & her preparation for thru hiking the Pacific Crest Trail - SOBO in 2019!

Melissa Urie

Mental health nurse completing Ultra-man Hawaii and in training for UBERMAN in October 2019.

Kate Rawles

Outdoor philosopher, writer, activist and cyclist. Cycling South America for the Life Cycle biodiversity bamboo bike ride!

Ayesha McGowan 

Her mission is to become the first ever African-American pro female road racer!

Pippa Lyon

Completed the Race Around Ireland in 2017, had a baby in 2018 and is riding in the Tour De France 2019!

Anna Mcnuff

Racing in the Kathmandu Coast to Coast, New Zealand & her next challenge - Barefoot Britain (100 Barefoot Marathons!)

Jenny Tough

Running across 2 mountain ranges - the Atlas of Morocco, and the Bolivian Andes!

Sarah Williams

Cycling the Pacific Coast Highway & Baja Divide

Tracy Herbert

Grandmother with Type 1 Diabetes, who completed a solo 3,527-mile bicycle ride from San Francisco to New York!

Anna Mitchell

“Fat chick goes AWOL” - 30-something accountant who dreamed of cycling, hiking and paddling her way around the world & how it all went wrong!

Callie Morgigno

Bike touring in Asia, climbing Denali and Aconcagua & finishing a 5,000 mile unsupported ski, kayak and bike from Arctic Russia in mid-winter, to the Bosporus Strait in Istanbul!

Loretta Henderson

Quit her normal life at 36, and having never cycled before, set off to cycle around the world!

Women Who Have Cycled Around The World

Kiko Matthews

Kiko Matthews - KIK PLASTIC 2019 - Cycling 6,900km around the UK and Ireland’s coasts, beach cleaning and building a community against plastic!

Juliana Buhring

Juliana Buhring - Ultra-endurance cyclist & Guinness World Record for Fastest Woman to Cycle the World!

Loretta Henderson

Loretta Henderson - quit her normal life at 36, and having never cycled before, set off to cycle around the world!

Sami Sauri

Exploring the World Through Multi-Sport Adventures and Creative Storytelling

Christine Armstrong

Christine Armstrong - Has just returned from 2 years cycling the world!

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