03/09/2017
Jasmijn Muller is about to embark on two record-breaking challenges. photo LeCol
If all goes to plan, the 38-year-old management consultant from London should cover the 841 mile trip, and 35,227 feet of climbing, in under 52 hours and 45 minutes, arriving at the top of Scotland by 11:45 am on Thursday breaking a record that has stood for 15 years.
Assuming favourable weather conditions and good progress, Muller hopes to continue her attempt by riding on to complete a distance of 1,000 miles and challenging the existing record of 64 hours and 38 minutes, which along with the LEJOG record, is currently held by Lynne Biddulph (nee Taylor).
Jasmijn will be raising money for Cancer Research UK. photo LeCol
Muller credits her inspiration to a meeting with Eileen Sheridan who set her own time of 59 hours and 7 Minutes in 1954. Sheriden’s own 1,000-mile record stood for 48 years until bettered by Lynne Taylor in 2002. After hearing the veteran cyclist talk at a local event, Jasmijn decided to set her sights on the challenge as a celebration of what can be achieved with determination and persistence.
She has chosen Cancer Research UK as the charity to support because of the admiration she holds for people enduring cancer and cancer treatment. It was a CRUK 100-mile bike ride in 2010 that drew her to cycling as a sport and is why Muller continues to raise funds for the charity each time she steps up her challenges to the next level.
Muller has prepared intensively for the record attempt, building on her experience as a long distance time trialler. This year alone she was the first woman in the National 24 Hour Time Trial Championships (being beaten only by two of the male riders), she set an endurance record on Zwift (the fixed training bike on-line game) and was the fastest female rider on London-Edinburgh-London, the 890 mile road cycling challenge.
Planning for the challenge has taken many months, involving scouting the route, identifying planned road works and thinking through the nutrition and hydration strategy. She is supported by a team on the road that includes mechanics, a paramedic and other experienced ultra-cyclists.
“For me, LEJOG isn’t just about breaking a record” says Muller “Everyone who has ever attempted the ride knows that it’s a test of who you are as much as of what you can do; I hope that I’ve got the same inner strength as the remarkable men and women who have taken on this challenge over the years; In turn, I hope that I can inspire others to challenge their own limits or enjoy the satisfaction of travelling from A to B under your own steam .”
Muller’s progress can be tracked on her website at www.lejogrecord.co.uk/followme. The website also includes an area where supporters can make donations.
Her support team will also be tweeting at @jasmijnmuller1 during the attempt and will pass on comments from well-wishers while she is on the road.
Are you in training for an upcoming charity event? A professional in your chosen extreme sport? Maybe you run an adventure travel company or a mountaineering club?
Whatever your level, whatever your chosen outdoor pursuit, our audience would love to hear your story.
