Cyclist Helen Langridge, 30, hopes to set off from Belgium, on May 31, 2020, in a bid to complete the 18,000-mile round-the-world route in 110 days
Helen plans to ride for 15 to 16 hours every day in order to break the current record and raise awareness about mental health problems.
The cyclist, who is originally from Kent, will start in Brussels and cycle across the continents of Europe, Asia, Oceania and North America before finishing at her starting point.
Helen, a Cycling UK member, said: “I want to show people that ill mental health doesn’t mean you can’t achieve great things. 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.”
Helen, who has struggled with depression and anxiety since she was a teenager, has long dreamed of breaking the record.
She added: “It’s cliché but it’s everything. 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, of Inverness, holds the women’s world round-the-world cycling record at 124 days.
Helen prepares for record attempt
Helen has been working with Dr Lesley Ingram, who helped to train men’s round-the- world record holder, Mark Beaumont.
Mark said: “This is a massive challenge and so much more than racing the bike. It is everything that happens off the bike, including 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.”
Helen has previously cycled across 30 countries with her husband in 2017 and 2018. She has been tirelessly training six days a week and planning her route, alongside her full-time job in social media, for the last year.
Helen added: “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 game plan. Everything can change, but we’ll see.”
Bike specialist, Enigma Bicycle Works and outdoor clothing brands, FINDRA and Stolen Goat are sponsoring Helen’s world record attempt.
Alex Feechan, FINDRA founder and CEO, said: “It is Helen’s desire to push herself out of her comfort zone, believing in herself and her ability to give a challenge like this a really good shot that we really admire and support.
“By supplying clothing that we know she can rely on, we feel we’ll be with her in some small way at every turn, every uphill struggle and every joyful downhill slope.”
Enigma Bicycle Works produced a custom titanium frame for Helen to use. Richard Lambert, Enigma Bicycle Works sales manager, said: “Our frames have proven successful for many ultra-racing events and we’re very excited to have this opportunity to support someone with a record attempt.
“We hope that Helen’s journey inspires others to get out on their bikes and wish her best of luck this summer.”