Record breaking round the world cyclist homes in on Etape Loch Ness

April 24, 2019

She cycled across four continents and 16 countries and became the fastest women to cycle unsupported round the world, but intrepid Highland adventurer Jenny Graham has set her sights on something closer to home – Etape Loch Ness.

The gutsy cyclist hit the headlines after circumnavigating the globe by bike in 124 days but now she can’t wait to be part of the cycling spectacular that takes place in her Highland homeland.

Jenny lives in Inverness and has never had the opportunity to take part in Etape Loch Ness due to other commitments. Taking part in this year’s sportive won’t only see her fulfil a long-held goal, but she will be there to provide support to her niece Lauren Wood (20).

They will be among the 5,600 riders who will cycle 66 miles of closed-roads on Sunday, April 28, passing by some of the most breathtaking scenery in the world.

She said: “I’m coming in as a supporter rider for my niece. For us on the day it’s less about the ‘race’ and more about the experience.”

“She hadn’t cycled before and when I came back from my round the world challenge, we spoke about the Etape, which came as a surprise as she’s never shown much interest before.

“It was actually just a couple days off from the closing date for entries that we said, come on, let’s do this. We both signed up – mission complete Inverness!

“This is going to be a pleasure, a rare day out with Lauren and the opportunity to be part of something that has been on my to-do list for ages. but I’ve never been around at the time when it’s on so I have never had the opportunity so this year is going to be different.

“I am biased and as I born and bred here, but this is the most beautiful place and the most beautiful route.”

Jenny has become an inspirational figure in the cycling world after her amazing feat which saw her face the sub-zero temperatures of an Australian winter, running the risk of coming face to face with bears in Canada and enduring close-passing lorries on the Trans-Siberian Highway. In spite of all this, she knocked three weeks off the previous record set by an Italian cyclist, riding 15 hours and averaging 160 miles a day.

Having ridden 18,000 miles across 16 countries, carrying all of her own kit, Jenny knows a thing or two about facing challenges, but she won’t be looking at setting any records or achieving any personal bests at Etape Loch Ness. She’ll be too busy enjoying the closed road environment,  concentrating on the beauty of the route and enjoying with her niece.

Jenny said: “It is such a classic road, and I cycled it a lot when I was training for the round the world challenge. It’s really exciting that all the participants have the road to ourselves without any traffic. I can’t wait to be part of something this big, that brings so many people to the Highlands. There will be a massive buzz, support all along the way and such a massive variety of participants from sharp end cyclists to novices.

With her cycling experience, Jenny says that the hard work comes before the beginning of any cycling event – and urges fellow participants to believe in themselves.

“Getting to the start line is the hardest part for a lot of people. Leading up to that, there’s the stress of training, worrying about your bike, that you have the right kit, that your body is up to it and constantly questioning yourself.

“Once you get to the starting line, the hard work has been done, and the rest should just happen, as it’s about riding your bike – and hopefully that’s what you enjoy doing.

“So get to the start line with mental strength, believe that you can do it having trained and shown to yourself that you can spend four, five or six hours in the saddle.

“On the route, Glendoe is the hill most folk will  be thinking about. It’s a stonker!  I can’t wait to be going down the north side of Loch Ness on the closed road, I’m hoping for lovely weather.”

During her time at Etape Loch Ness, she hoped to catch up with the team from Shand Cycles in Livingston. She completed her round the world cycle on a purpose-made bike from the firm, which is one of the event partners.

A spokesman for Shand Cycles said: “It’s always great to see Jenny out on her trusted world-record beating Shand Stooshie and we are certain she will be a great inspiration to the many riders along the course that day. We will also be cheering Lauren and our parent company’s 12 riders strong GFG Alliance team.

“Pop along to our stand at the Event Hub on the Saturday where we will be offering free mechanical or technical assistance for all riders. Enjoy the day and we look forward to celebrating with all participants at the finishing line.”

Jenny, who is a Co-Director of The Adventure Syndicate and does a lot of public speaking, races and promotional work and will be joining colleague and fellow ultra-endurance cyclist Lee Craigie for an afternoon of film, adventure and storytelling at Eden Court in Inverness on the eve of the race, Saturday, April 27.

General entries for Etape Loch Ness were snapped within a few hours of going on sale, and all the places for riders who pledge to raise a minimum of £100 for official charity partner, Macmillan Cancer Support, have also sold out.

For more information about the event, visit www.etapelochness.com. Further information is also available on social media – Facebook www.facebook.com/etapelochness, Instagram and Twitter @EtapeLochNess