"Molly Weaver disregarded everything else as she aimed for a record-breaking journey around the coast of Britain, laconically stating 'I was going for the record.'"
Molly Weaver Smashes 40-Year-Old Cycling Record
Molly Weaver, a former professional cyclist who represented Great Britain, has made history by becoming the fastest person to ride the circumference of Britain. On the 6th of July, Weaver broke the Guinness World Record, completing the 7,732-kilometer journey in an astonishing 21 days, 10 hours, and 48 minutes [1].
Weaver's record-breaking ride came after a debilitating crash in 2017 ended her professional road racing career. Struggling with severe depression and dropping out of university, Weaver found herself bikeless in Bristol [2]. However, her love for cycling never waned, and she eventually returned to the sport, focusing on ultra-distance events. Her father supported her decision, even gifting her a gravel bike for her off-road adventures [3].
The task of attempting the circumnavigation of Britain grew tendrils, reaching into other lives via social media, training days prised out of summer holiday plans, and a growing crew of volunteers. Weaver was joined by six crew members during the first stretch of the ride, with her brother, Sam, and her father, Phil, part of the first crew [4]. Ben, a fellow record-chaser (in rowing), was also part of the crew, having responded to an Instagram call-out asking for support [4].
Weaver's support car followed her every 4 or 5 hours, providing snacks, extra clothes, and encouragement. The transition from Scotland to England was an adjustment for Weaver, as she moved from a wild and isolating landscape to a more built-up and populated area [5]. Weaver experienced horrendous weather, particularly in Scotland and on the West Coast, for the entirety of her ride [5].
In addition to breaking the British Circumnavigation World Record, Weaver also raised money for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) by visiting over 100 coastal stations during her challenge [6]. You can donate to them here. Before setting the record, Weaver had already broken the Fastest Known Time (FKT) in the Lakeland 200 [7].
Molly's preparation for the record attempt was meticulous. She meticulously planned her route, nutrition, and physical conditioning to sustain high performance over nearly three weeks [3]. She also engaged with sponsors such as High5 Sports Nutrition, highlighting the importance of tailored nutritional support during the attempt [3]. Her story and preparation were featured in the "On Edge: Molly Weaver's World Record Ride" podcast on Detours [4].
While detailed descriptions of her specific support crew members are not provided in the sources, such record attempts typically involve logistical and moral support from a dedicated team assisting with navigation, resupply, repairs, and motivation throughout the ride [4][5]. The progressive updates and shared insights on platforms like Instagram show that Molly had a structured support system to monitor her progress and provide essential aid during the record attempt [2][5].
In conclusion, Molly Weaver's British circumnavigation record was a highly planned and supported feat, breaking a long-standing record through extensive physical preparation, strategic support from nutrition and likely a logistical crew, and documented public engagement via podcasts and social media [1][2][3][4][5].
Sports enthusiasts will find Molly Weaver's road racing comeback remarkable, as she recently broke the Guinness World Record for the fastest cycling circumnavigation of Britain. Despite a debilitating crash in 2017 that ended her professional road racing career, Weaver's love for sports never faded, leading her to focus on ultra-distance events, such as her record-breaking ride.
