14 | Cycling World
WOMEN ’ S YEAR RECORD BROKEN
Kajsa Tylen , who set out to pedal 50,000 km ( 31,068 miles ) in one year , has broken a 77-year-old long distance cycling record
- Kajsa rides to Walkeringham
Kajsa 40 , from Nottingham , set out on New Year ’ s Day 2016 to beat the 1938 achievement . Set 77 years ago , the old record was also set by a British woman named Billie Dovey ( later married and named Fleming ). She set out to ride as far as she could and to promote a healthy lifestyle for women . She rode every day , on a three-speed road bike , and achieved 29,603 miles , often finishing the day giving a talk on the health benefits of cycling . Certainly , an authority on the subject as she died aged 100 .
Kajsa passed Fleming ’ s record on 25 November but will continue her challenge until 31 December , saying : “ I ' m approaching the last month highly motivated , it really is a sprint finish right now , to get to the Guinness goal of 50,000kms . Once I ' ve cracked that , which will hopefully be on the 9th of Dec , then I can just enjoy it until the end of the year .
Kajsa has been accompanied during her journey by mother Tina Tylen in a caravan , acting as the support vehicle . Ms Tylen , a business analyst originally from Sweden , has battled through illness , bad weather and muscular pain to beat her hero ' s record . Her challenge took her to various parts of Europe including Sweden , Finland and Germany .
Kajsa has ridden in the spirit of the Fleming , the former record holder promoting women ’ s health . Rather than raising money for charity Kajsa has been asking for " Sweat Pledges " - promises to start taking more exercise .