Helen shares more about her journey into cycling as well as the different challenge she’s undertaken.
In September 2015, Helen took her first foray into multi-day, solo bike touring by cycling the classic route from Lands End to John O’Groats (LEJOG). Helen cycled a distance of 1,000 miles in 13 days!
In January 2016, Helen met Mike on Tinder! Through a mutual love of cycling and wanting to travel the world. They started planning a cycle trip around the world! After moving in together, working multiple jobs to save money. They started their adventure on the 4th April 2017. They returned in August 2018, married, completely in love with the world and one another! They rode over 30,000 km, through 30 countries. Helen shares more about the planning and preparation as well as the challenges of being on the road and what she learned from the experience.
Helen also shares more about her next big challenge in 2020! It’s a BIG challenge!!!!!
Please note during this podcast episode we do talk about mental health, and depression. Please make sure you are in a good space before you listen.
Listen to Helen Now!
Click here if you can't see the link below.
Show notes
Starting cycling in 2011
Being nervous while commuting
Growing up by the sea in Dover
Where her passion for cycling came from
How it helped her mental health
Signing up for a 3 day trip from London to Paris with the British Hearth Foundation
Deciding to do LEJOG (Lands End to John O’ Groats)
Having a year to plan the trip
Why it was so tough getting to the start line
Wanting to do something for her
Some of the issues with the route
Learning to be flexible
Doing the LEJOG challenge solo
The kindness of strangers
The mental side of the challenge
Learning how to become self sufficient
Dealing with the breakdown of a relationship
Getting the support needed to help with depression
How Tinder turned her life around
Meeting Mike…
Wanting to cycle around the world
Is it possible….
Taking multiple jobs to save money
Building the bikes from scratch
Connecting on a deeper level
Turning a joke/dream into a reality
Taking about the money and starting from scratch
Selling everything they owned, doing extra jobs, & getting small amounts of sponsorship
Making the plan!!!
Saving £26,000
What it was like in the run up to leaving
The route, leaving Glasgow and getting the Ferry to Amsterdam
Making changes to the route and how they made that decision
2.5 months in China
Documenting the journey while out on the road
Cycling from Perth to Brisbane
Knee and glue problems
The wedding!!!!!
The honeymoon and why it wasn’t the best
The end of the trip….
The transition back to normal life
The next big challenge!!!!!!
Dealing with the pressure of the next challenge
Costs of the challenge and doing as much preparation as possible before 1st May
The power of setting a date
Social Media
Website - www.helenlangridge.com
Twitter - @HelenCycling
Instagram - @helen.langridge
Feeling inspired week after week?
You can do 3 easy things to help me continue to grow the podcast!
Subscribe to the podcast in iTunes, so you won’t miss a single episode
If you’re loving the podcast, please leave a 5-star review on iTunes! I read every single comment!
Share the podcast with your friends, especially if you think it could help them, and spread the #ToughGirlPodcast love.
Your support helps me continue to grow the podcast and do inspiring things in this space! Already done all 3? You’re a rockstar! Thank you!
Want to do more?
Please become a Patron and donate US$5 a month to help fund the runnings costs. Thank you.
