Woman Breaks Europe Cycling Record by 3 Days
Dr. Sarah Ruggins just cycled 6,000 kilometers across Europe in under 14 days, smashing the previous record held by a man. Even more remarkable? She only started cycling two years ago after recovering from a rare neurological disease.
A woman who couldn't use her limbs just years ago now holds two outright world records in endurance cycling.
Dr. Sarah Ruggins finished her 6,000-kilometer ride from southern Spain to Norway's Arctic coast in 13 days, 20 hours, and 27 minutes. She beat the previous record, set by Dr. Ian Walker in 2019, by more than three full days.
The Cirencester-based rider pedaled solo through nine countries, spending up to 22 hours a day on her bike. She survived on just three hours of sleep each night and consumed around 11,000 calories daily to fuel her journey.
The physical challenges were extreme. Ruggins faced 35°C heat in southern Spain, below-freezing temperatures in the Arctic Circle, and climbed roughly 30,000 meters of elevation before reaching Nordkapp.
Along the way, she also set another record. Her seven-day distance of 3,364 kilometers broke the previous women's mark by over 100 kilometers.
Why This Inspires
What makes this achievement even more extraordinary is Ruggins' backstory. As a teenager, the Canada-born athlete developed a rare neurological disease that left her completely unable to use her limbs and dependent on full-time care.
Her recovery took years of hard work. She only returned to cycling in 2023.
Three years later, she's now one of a small number of women to claim records previously held by men. Earlier in 2025, she set the fastest time for the John o' Groats-Land's End-John o' Groats route in the UK.
"To me, this record proves that women can compete alongside men at the elite level," Ruggins said after crossing the finish line at North Cape. "I hope it's a powerful statement to every woman who wants to try."
The record attempt also raised funds for World Bicycle Relief, which provides bicycles to communities where distance blocks access to education, healthcare, and work.
Ruggins isn't alone in pushing boundaries this year: fellow endurance cyclist Lael Wilcox is currently 12 days into her own attempt to break the around-the-world cycling record.
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Based on reporting by Google News - World Record
This story was written by BrightWire based on verified news reports.
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