On 5th June 2022 Laura set off on the back of a tandem, with husband Stevie, from the Brandenberg Gate in Berlin... 180 days later she returned having circumnavigated the World and with a new Guinness World Record!
But, the ride wasn't straightforward; with closed borders, sickness, monsoons, sub -10 degree temperatures and a motorcycle collision that nearly ended the trip it took everything to reach the finish line on target.
Laura blogged and updated social media throughout the trip and relied on her skills in project management and from her ultra-distance background to make the trip a success, as well as the ultimate team work of surviving 6 months on a bike with her husband.
We first spoke with Laura on 27th January 2022 - You can listen to that episode here.
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Show Notes
- Who is Laura
- Spending 6 months cycling around the world on a tandem bicycle and breaking the Guin
- Stats from the challenge
- Starting on the 5th June 2022
- Needing to cycle 18,000 miles
- Visiting over 21 countries
- Speaking to Laura previously on the Tough Girl Podcast - 27th January 2022 - You can listen to that episode here
- Getting to the start line and feeling ready?
- Planning for over 18 months to get to the start line
- Being in an accident 2 weeks before the start
- Dealing with the risks of cycling on the road
- Getting back on the bike - sooner rather than later
- The start line in Berlin
- Settling into a cycling routine
- What the daily routine looked like
- The challenges on the journey
- Day to day challenges - from logistics, navigation, accommodation, food
- Dealing with the ongoing pressure
- Boarder closures and being flexible with changing plans
- The crash in Malaysia and why it was a critical moment
- Not knowing if they wanted to continue
- Being open and honest with each other
- Being as prepared as possible
- Flying to Australia
- Impacts on their relationships
- Advice for couples/partners who adventure together
- Losing time and distance and getting behind schedule while riding in India
- Needing to make up 6 days and 600km
- How to up the pace?
- Highlights from the trip
- Riding through New Zealand in 8.5 days
- The route
- Finishing the trip - the challenges in the final days
- Getting back safely and doing what they said they were going to do
- The achievement…..
- Adventure blues and what happened next
- Recovering physically
- Quick Fire Questions
- Tough Girl Buffs (Black, Grey & White - Send me a DM £15 P&P UK Only)
- Tandem WOW - Catherine Dixon (Cat) and Rachael Marsden (Raz) cycling around the world to set a new tandem WR!
- How to connect with Laura
- Writing the book
- Final words of advice to motivate and inspire you with your next challenge
- Don’t under estimate what you can do
- Why you might surprise yourself with what you can do
Social Media
Website: www.stelatandem.com
Instagram: @stela_tandem
Facebook: SteLa Tandem Round the World Record
Twitter: @StelaTandem
Youtube: SteLa Tandem