Gloucestershire based woman beats cycling record
Sarah Ruggins has become the fastest person to cycle the length of the UK and back.
A 37-year-old who lives in Gloucestershire has become the fastest person ever to cycle the length of the UK and back.
Dr Sarah Ruggins completed the 2,700 km Land’s End to John O’Groats and back route in just 5 days, 11 hours, and 14 minutes.
Sarah beat the previous overall record, held by James MacDonald since 2017, by 6 hours and 43 minutes.
She also beat the former women’s record by an astonishing 4 days, 17 hours, and 40 minutes.
The ride was completed with less than 8 hours of sleep in total with Sarah only stopping every 4 hours for a 10 minute break.
Sarah said: “I honestly don’t know how to describe how this feels.
“I can’t quite believe that this experience is over - it was so, so hard.
“The support I experienced across the UK from the moment I set off last Sunday in Scotland both online and in person was incredible.
“hundreds of people took time out of their day to wave and cheer me and the crew past both on the way down the country and back up again.
“There were some incredibly hard moments along the way but seeing people out on the roadside and watching donations to our fundraiser come in on my phone while I was on the bike was a huge motivator.”
Sarah only began cycling two years ago after she was diagnosed at 15 with a rare and debilitating autoimmune disease.
At one point, the condition left her unable to walk, use her hands, or move without assistance.
While completing the feat raised money for The Bike Project and Bikes for Refugees, two organisations that use cycling to support people rebuilding their lives in the UK.
So far, she has raised more than £14,000.