The 38-year-old from Inverness, who is one of our 100 Women in Cycling for 2018, is on schedule to break the women’s record for cycling solo and unsupported around the world. Jenny, who is part of The Adventure Syndicate and a member of Cycling UK, started her journey in Berlin on 16 June at the end of Bike Week.
She has cycled more than 9,000 miles from Germany to China and is now making her way across Australia from Perth to Brisbane. She is aiming to cycle an average of 180 miles per day in order to beat the current record of 144 days.
It’s been a tough week in Australia, with rain, sleet and snow really taking its toll on Jenny’s poor feet. Temperatures sitting around 9 degrees during the day, but plummeting to zero at night haven’t helped either. However, sightings of wild emu and cockatoos, along with the sun at last re-appearing and a tailwind, are helping to keep her spirits up.
Jenny was also joined by friends Dave, Matt and Kerrie this week for a little moral support on these long, cold days in the saddle on the other side of the world. All this has left Jenny filled with positivity and rolling onto the east coast before heading to New Zealand.
I’ve met the most amazing people along the way and my eyes have been opened to so many new cultures. I’m surprised I’ve managed to have such amazing connections while riding for so long each day
Jenny Graham
Jenny keeps in touch with us at Cycling UK and sent us a message this morning: “So that’s me half way around the world and wow what an adventure it’s been so far. I’ve enjoyed every second, even the tough bits!
“I’ve met the most amazing people along the way and my eyes have been opened to so many new cultures. I’m surprised I’ve managed to have such amazing connections while riding for so long each day, but I think there is something about arriving to a new place by bike that makes you non-threatening and gets the locals curious.”
You can follow Jenny’s route via a live tracker. The route is 18,000 miles in total; so far she has completed more than 9,000 miles. The route takes her across four continents and through 15 countries: Germany, Poland, Latvia, Lithuania, Russia, Mongolia, China, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, USA, Portugal, Spain, France and the Netherlands. She will take four flights and a boat.
It can be long, hard and lonely on the road, if you’d like to support Jenny you can send her an encouraging message on social media using the hashtag #eastboundrtw
