Record-Breaking World Cyclist Jenny Graham Pens New Book

I interviewed Jenny Graham, for The Scots Magazine. You can find more of my articles each month in the magazine if you like what you have read.

Jenny Graham: The book is tougher to write than the ride

Jenny Graham, holding her newly published book First Coffee, Then The World in her lap and occasionally looking nervously at the cover and the thick wedge of pages on the page, declares that “It probably, or definitely, was more emotional roller coaster to write it than to cycle around the globe.”

You might think that the Scottish Highlands-based record-breaking cyclist has forgotten the most difficult parts of her 18,000-mile journey through 16 countries last year, but she says the hardest part was writing.

Jenny, 43, laughs and adds, “It took me two years to finish this book.” I only needed 124 days to ride my bike around the world.

She continued: “The writing has pushed me completely out of my comfort zones. It’s just that I didn’t think of myself as an academic, and while I loved school, I had a hard time with learning.

“I’ve only just realised that I am probably dyslexic, and I have had this horrible imposter syndrome in relation to the book. I’ve worried that it wouldn’t be good enough, and I couldn’t do it.

“But I felt more confident when I rode my bike day after day in strange places, with many challenges and on my own. I did not know whether I would break a world record when I began the ride. It was physically and mentally challenging, but I never thought of quitting.

Jenny’s real record ride

Jenny’s journey has been more detailed in the book she wrote, as many of her friends encouraged her to.

She was suddenly in high demand after breaking the Guinness World Record for solo female Guinness World Record with a three-week lead.

Her frank, open and humorous revelations about the ride led to new opportunities for her, including guest speaking, corporate talks, podcasting, and becoming a presenter on a cycling documentary channel.

Many of the challenges she faced on her solo ride were turned into entertainment. Jenny confesses that she tends to laugh off things when in front of an auditorium. Even if the situation was dangerous or difficult, I would often look for entertainment value. People like to laugh so they thought I took it all in stride. This wasn’t the real case.”

The book tells a more true story. She said: “Writing this book allowed me to take things apart, consider my emotions more closely, and be very honest about difficulties.”

For example, the first chapter is quite long and entitled “preparation”. Jenny says, “Preparing to ride was difficult.” In some ways, it was harder for me to reach the end than to get to start line.

“First, I had believe that someone like me could cycle around the globe. I’d seen people do amazing adventures but didn’t believe I could.

Jenny, an experienced cyclist who had raised funds and gained sponsors, was referring to her ability to plan, rather than to the physical aspect of the ride.

She explains: “I knew I could ride long distances but planning the record attempt was much more than that.” It took me a lot of confidence to convince sponsors and supporters that I was capable.

The highs and the lows of a world-round ride

Jenny was able to feel the freedom from the first pedal stroke she made on 16 June 2018, as she left the Brandenburg Gate behind in Berlin.

There were both positives and downsides to a solo challenge. Jenny, a gregarious and chatty woman who gave birth to her only child at age 18, revealed that she enjoys being alone.

She said: “I like riding with others, but it was easier for me to do my own thing. There were less pressures and stresses when riding with other people.

“I could set my own pace, and plan my journey as I went.” I would often decide to get another coffee and then continue on, as the title of the book says.

Jenny acknowledges that there are times when she admits that she would have liked the motivational drive of someone else. She says, “You must learn to manage yourself.” No one can motivate you, get you out from a bad mood or put you in a positive mood. You can’t blame anyone for anything. You must learn to recognize your own emotional rollercoaster and be aware of your natural highs, and lows.

I learned how to take care of my mental side through the ride.

Fear played a role in the early stages of the ride. Jenny says, “It’s easy to say you’re afraid of everything. But I learned to distinguish between real fear and comfort craving.”

Jenny made the difficult choice to ride at night in Russia instead of during the day, because she was afraid of the dangers of riding the Trans-Siberian Highway. She said: “I was already on Day 9 breaking my rule not to cycle at night so early in the journey. I was worried that it would be a mistake, but the highway traffic made me even more nervous.

On another highway in Alaska, she sang, played music loudly and rang a bell as she rode her bike. She laughs again, “I was quite a picture, riding along the lonely highway.”

Jenny explores in the book the “amazing” experiences of cycling abroad.

She said: “There were many new countries for me.” I loved seeing new places and experiencing other cultures. I also enjoyed the kindness of strangers. Many times, those with the least have given the most.

This made me reflect on how thankful I should be to live in Scotland. I may not be financially wealthy, but I do have the freedom to travel and make my own decisions.

I’ve been blessed with many opportunities in my life. These include training in outdoor education, and rewarding work helping disadvantaged children.

“And there I was too, feeling lucky to have the opportunity to travel around the world by bicycle.”

Then she wrote a novel

Jenny completed the record ride on October 18, 2018 as she returned towards the Brandenburg Gate. She said: “I still remember that incredible feeling. My mood was good. I was hysterical and felt like I was giddy. It was unreal.

“Now that I look back, I never could have imagined the many experiences and new expectations this ride would bring to me, such as a new job, new career, or a different outlook.

“I have even written a novel, something I thought was impossible before I started my journey.”

• Bloomsbury publishes First Coffee, Then the World: A Woman’s Record Breaking Pedal Around the Planet.