Paula Ralph – Cycling Solo from Cape Town to Nordkapp: 12,290 km Across 17 Countries - When Everything Seemed Impossible
- Tough Girl
- 19 hours ago
- 4 min read
What happens when a dream is so big, so audacious, that you commit to it long before you have the skills, money, or confidence to make it happen?
For Paula Ralph, that dream was to cycle from Cape Town, South Africa to Nordkapp, Norway— a 12,290 km journey across 17 countries. What began as a Guinness World Record attempt soon transformed into something far more powerful: a test of courage, resilience, and self-belief.
Paula set off with one goal — to become the fastest woman to complete the route. But along the way, reality hit hard. Injuries, financial setbacks, fear, loneliness, and a traumatic collision with a truck in Zambia forced her to confront a heartbreaking truth: the record might no longer be possible. At this crossroads, Paula had a choice — stop, or redefine what success looked like.
She chose to keep going.
In this episode, Paula shares the raw truth behind the miles: the moments of doubt, the joy of human connection, the quiet sunrises that kept her pedalling, and the inner strength she discovered when everything else was stripped away. Her story is not just about endurance on a bike — it’s about holding on to your “why” when the original plan falls apart.
If you’ve ever had a dream that felt too big, or found yourself at the edge of giving up, Paula’s journey will remind you that progress isn’t always measured in records — sometimes it’s measured in courage, growth, and the refusal to quit.
🎧 This episode is for you if:
You’re chasing a big goal or adventure
You’ve experienced setbacks or self-doubt
You want inspiration to keep going when life gets tough
You love stories of resilience, solo travel, and human grit
Ready to be inspired by what’s possible when you simply refuse to stop?
Hit play and let Paula take you on the road with her.
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Listen to Paula Now!
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Show notes
Who is Paula
Doing the Long Ride - Cape Town to Nordkapp, Norway
Being based in the UK
Growing up in South Africa in the middle of nowhere
Not being very adventurous
Getting sporty in her adult years
Getting married and putting on weight
Deciding to join a gym to lose weight in
Paying a Personal Trainer
How her outlook on fitness changed
Wanting to encourage other people to live a healthy life
Getting into Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Becoming a sports therapist in 2009
Going into retail after college
Getting her personal training qualifications
Advice and tips for women who aren’t feeling comfortable in their body
Encouraging women to find something they’d enjoy
Getting the idea for the ride in 2020
Being inspired by the longest walkable road in the world - from cape town to a tiny town in Russia
Sharing her dream on Facebook
Giving herself 4 years to plan and train
Deciding to do a cycling camp in Italy
Meeting her coach - Ian
Deciding it was now or never and starting the ride
The challenges of getting to the start line
Getting divorced in 2012 and not having children
The challenges of being self employed
Struggling financially
Creating a go fund me, to fund the challenge
Wanting to start a foundation to help children in disadvantaged communities
Needing to take a little diversion to get back on track
The start line of the long ride
Being driven to the start line at 5am
Dealing with the nerves at the start
Wanting to beat the record and complete the challenge in 72 days
Not having a support crew anymore due to the sponsorship falling through
Having an 8kg pack on her back while cycling
Crossing the border into Botswana
Her cycle route through Africa
The anxiety heading up to the Ethiopia border
Border crossing
Heading through the Middle East and making it to Europe
Mental resilience during the ride
Reflecting on each day, how the day went and how she was feeling
Why the only way is forward
Smiling through the pain
Being on the bike and where her focus was
Getting hit by a truck in Zambia
Needing to set the world record aside
Feeling overwhelmed and not wanting to continue the ride - being completely done
The end of the journey and knowing the end was insight
Feeling proud of herself
Going live on Instagram to thank everyone
Adjusting back to life after the trip
Leaving everything in the UAE
Heading back to the UK after the ride
Finding a contract job
Trying to enjoy the downtime after the ride and struggling with not moving forward
How to connect with Paula on social media
Having her first account hacked on Instagram
Fail to plan - plan to fail
Why its all in the planning
Be prepared to be adaptable
Forge forward
Social Media
Instagram: @thelongridec2c.2
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