Record-breaking round-the-world cyclist Jenny Graham has launched an exciting new series of sports and literary talks in the Highlands.
Journey Beyond Adventure will give a voice to a greater diversity of top names and personalities, each with an engaging, inspiring and powerful story to tell.
It’s hoped the “in-conversation” events, starting this month in Fort William (September 17), Strathpeffer (September 18) and Aberdeen (September 19), will attract a diverse audience, too.
There will be accompanying local social bike rides, trail runs and wild swims as part of each event.
Talks for more diverse audience
Jenny, of Inverness, said: “I’ve spent a great deal of time both giving and watching talks and I really love an evening listening to epic tales from around the world. However, there are a few things I’d like to see more of with interview events.
“Firstly, I believe we should have greater diversity among the leading voices so we can all enjoy a richer and more inclusive conversation.
“Secondly, there should be a more diverse audience who can access these talks. There should be a bigger mix of races, genders and socioeconomic status.
“My mini Journey Beyond Adventure tour will bring some top names to the Highlands, offering a series of engaging events at affordable prices and in accessible community spaces.”
First talk tour: Louise Minchin
First in the spotlight, from September 17 to 19, will be TV presenter and journalist Louise Minchin, who is also an acclaimed author, endurance athlete and world age group competing triathlete.
Louise will join Jenny on stage to share her tales of life, resilience, fear and adventure. They will also discuss her latest book and first novel, Isolation Island, which is a thriller set in a world of hidden cameras and celebrity egos.
Jenny, who is a former presenter with Global Cycling Network’s documentary channel, is well-known for her warm, humorous and innately curious interviewing skills.
She said: “The aim is to entertain, enlighten and empower the audience to embrace their own literary and real-life adventures of self-discovery and exploration.
“After Louise Minchin, I will be lining up more great guests, including multiple Olympic, World and Commonwealth Games medallist Emma Pooley, for tours later this year and in 2025.
“I believe the talks will be more than just an event – they will offer a Journey Beyond Adventure that people won’t want to miss.”
Jenny Graham & Louise Minchin: Journey Beyond Adventure
- Tuesday September 17, 2024 at 6pm: Highland Cinema, Fort William. £14.
- Wednesday September 18, 2024 at 6.30pm: Strathpeffer Pavilion, Strathpeffer, Ross & Cromarty. £15.87
- Thursday September 19, 2024 at 7.30pm: Lemon Tree, Aberdeen. £15.40
To book: Jenny Graham Talks Tour.
Who is Jenny Graham?
In 2018, Jenny Graham, then 38, set a female record for fastest time to cycle around the world in 124 days.
Jenny has also collaborated on a number of exciting adventure projects with another acclaimed Scottish endurance athlete Mark Beaumont and completed the “UK’s longest straight line” with TV presenter Calum Maclean.
She is former director of the Adventure Syndicate, a not-for-profit organisation that uses the inspiring stories of women adventuring by bike to encourage others to push their perceived limitations.
Jenny is also a former presenter with Global Cycling Network’s documentary channel.
Her book, Coffee First: Then the World, about pedalling around the planet, has won multiple accolades. The book was shortlisted for Sports Book of the Year at the Charles Tyrwhitt Book Awards 2024; selected for the BBC and Reading Agency’s Big Sporting Read 2024; shortlisted for the Sports Book Awards 2024 Cycling Book of the Year; and was named as best sports book of the year 2024 by leading bookseller Waterstones.
See Jenny Graham.
More about Louise Minchin
Louise Minchin is a former presenter of BBC’s Breakfast show and now works as a freelance journalist and writer. She also co-hosted BBC’s Real Rescues. In 2016, she competed in Celebrity MasterChef finishing second and in 2021 she was a contestant on the 21st series of I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!.
She is an amateur triathlete and has competed at the World Age Group Triathlon Championships in the sprint and standard distance.
She has written three books. The first two are non-fiction, Dare to Tri: My Journey from the BBC Breakfast Sofa to GB Team Triathlete and Fearless: Adventures with Extraordinary Women. Her new novel, Island Isolation, is published by Headline. She was shortlisted for Best Female Writer at the Charles Tyrwhitt Book Awards 2024.
See: Louise Minchin.