A Woman Takes the Overall Record for Cycling Across Europe

Sarah Ruggins has set the outright record for a north-to-south crossing of Europe by bike. The Canadian-born doctor rode from Tarifa, Spain, to Nordkapp, Norway, a ride of over 6,000 kilometers that spans nine countries and roughly 35,000 metres of climbing. In total, Ruggins rode from the southernmost point in continental Europe to the northernmost point in just 13 days, 20 hours, and 27 minutes—three days and 32 minutes faster than any person has completed the route. The previous record was set by Ian Walker in 2019.

Along the way, Ruggins also set a world record for the number of kilometers ridden by a woman in a week, notching 3,364 km over seven days, upping the benchmark by over 100km. Her overall record-setting accomplishment adds to a landmark year for female ultra-endurance efforts. This spring, Rachel Entrekin made history when she won the famous and fearsome Cocodona 250-mile running race outright.

“To me, this record proves that women can compete alongside men at the elite level,” Ruggins said of her effort, “and I hope it’s a powerful statement to every woman who wants to try.”

Perhaps the most extraordinary aspect of the feat is that Ruggins has only been riding for three years. Ruggins developed a rare neurological disease in her childhood, which prevented her from using her limbs. It took years to overcome the disease to first live independently and then, ultimately, to ride in 2023.

Three years later, the doctor has multiple world records, as her overall south-to-north European record joins her overall John o’ Groats – Land’s End – John o’ Groats record she set last year.

The record-setting attempt was a fundraising effort for World Bicycle Relief, a notable charity that provides bicycles to remote communities across the globe to allow mobility and connectivity to education, food, and medical care. You can donate to the charity through the World Bicycle Relief website.