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Edinburgh cyclist aiming to become the fastest woman to ride around the world

Helen Langridge hopes to complete the trip in 110 days

An Edinburgh cyclist who has struggled with depression and anxiety since she was a teenager will seek to raise awareness about mental health problems by attempting to become the fastest woman to ride around the world. Helen Langridge will set off from Brussels on May 31, aiming to complete the 18,000-mile trip in 110 days.

“I want to show people that ill mental health doesn't mean you can't achieve great things,” she said. “I want to push my limits and really see how fast and far I can go. I’ve been at my lowest, now I need to be at my best.”

Langridge, who is originally from Kent, will need to ride for 15 to 16 hours a day to break the current record. This means only around five hours sleep each day with the remainder for eating and breaks.

Her journey will take her through the Netherlands, Germany, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia and Russia. From there, she’ll head south through Mongolia and China until she reaches the outskirts of Beijing.

After a flight to Perth, she’ll ride across the continent via the Nullabor plain before flying to the south island of New Zealand. After a week riding through both islands, she’ll fly to Anchorage, Alaska. (She says she’s already looking forward to “a welcome sleep on the plane.”) From there she’ll head east into the Yukon, dip down into the USA, before heading back north-east into Canada and onto the east coast.

Her final stretch will be “riding fast from Lisbon back to Brussels.”

Helen Langridge (Cycling UK)

Langridge says she has dreamt of breaking the record for years. In the last 12 months, she has been training six days a week and planning her route alongside her full-time job.

“It’s a cliché, but it’s everything,” she said. “It’s been my life for the last four years and it’s pulled me out of a really dark place.”

Another Cycling UK member, Jenny Graham, holds the current women’s world round the world cycling record at 124 days.

The men’s record of 79 days is held by Mark Beaumont, who commented: “This is a massive challenge, and so much more than racing the bike – it is everything that happens off the bike: finding a place to stay, food and clean water, all against the clock for months on end.

“I wish Helen the adventure of a lifetime and every success. She will undoubtedly inspire a huge amount of people who can relate to her personal fight.”

This is not Langridge’s first trip round the planet. In 2016 she met Mike on Tinder and on their second date they decided to cycle around the world together.

“We had both wanted to do it but finding someone else who wanted to do it too was the catalyst for a huge adventure,” she said. “15 months later, we left Glasgow to ride 18,500 miles through 30 countries and returned married, broke but completely happy.”

Speaking about the route she’s planned for her record attempt, she said: “I feel like I know every inch of it. I’ve ridden some of the roads before which gives me quiet confidence. I’ve got a really well planned out game plan. Everything can change, but we’ll see.”

Alex has written for more cricket publications than the rest of the road.cc team combined. Despite the apparent evidence of this picture, he doesn't especially like cake.

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15 comments

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essexian | 4 years ago
0 likes

All the best. What a wonderful adventure to undertake.....will there be a dot for us to watch....?

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NZ Vegan Rider | 4 years ago
0 likes

Becoming a mum with couple of kids would do much more for her mental health in the long term than riding around the world - in whatever time but....I wish her the best on it.

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Philh68 replied to NZ Vegan Rider | 4 years ago
5 likes

I better go for a ride now, reading your archaic viewpoint on the role of women has made me depressed no

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ktache replied to Philh68 | 4 years ago
5 likes

It's not that recent mothers ever have mental health problems, post natal depression is a thing isn't it, or that any parent is automatically immune from stress, anxeity or worse.

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Philh68 replied to ktache | 4 years ago
3 likes

Of course. Anyhow, it’s not like even motherhood could compare to the sheer joy derived from suggesting how a complete stranger should live her life and what to do with her body, could it? Perhaps the kiwi vegan would like to tell her in person, if they can keep up on the climbs…

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NZ Vegan Rider replied to Philh68 | 4 years ago
0 likes

Read what I wrote - I didn't use the word "should". You "should" read what people read before posting though.

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Philh68 replied to NZ Vegan Rider | 4 years ago
4 likes

Worse, you used the word “would” as if you’re speaking as an authority on both mental illness and pregnancy. Which obviously isn’t the case. You’re just being an asshole using the anonymity provided by the internet to bag someone who has set out to accomplish something. A real hero aren’t you.

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NZ Vegan Rider replied to ktache | 4 years ago
0 likes

Sure some do but for most it's a fulfilling experience. It certainly was for my wife  3

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NZ Vegan Rider replied to Philh68 | 4 years ago
0 likes

The truth hurts at times. Get used to it  3

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pockstone replied to NZ Vegan Rider | 4 years ago
7 likes

Bang on!

While she's popping out the sprogs she should get herself a zero hours job in a shitty warehouse and a no security tenancy in a damp bedsit. That'll teach her to go riding a fucking bike!

(Is it really still the 1950s inNZ?)

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taberesc replied to pockstone | 4 years ago
3 likes

👏 Yup, I just visited NZ can confirm the year is about 1957. One of the most hostile environments for cyclists too. 

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NZ Vegan Rider replied to pockstone | 4 years ago
0 likes

Psychologically having children is one of(the best) the best things a woman can do for her mental health. They're built for it physically and psychologically. It must be still Ignorance-world where you live pockstone. Clean up your language too ;-(

 

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hobbeldehoy replied to NZ Vegan Rider | 4 years ago
0 likes

The trouble with your opinion is multifold. First of all she may not be suited to motherhood, lots of bad mothers out there. Secondly, she may not be able to afford children or find a suitable partner to help raise them. Thirdly she could be physically unable to concieve. 

 

 

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iandusud | 4 years ago
4 likes

Good for you Helen. 

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Russell Orgazoid | 4 years ago
4 likes

Good luck, Helen!

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