Congratulations to Molly Weaver who set the new WUCA record for the CW Circumnavigation of Great Britain in these categories: Female, 18-49 Age-group, upright bike with non-fixed gear.

Over the course of 21 days 10 hours 48 min elapsed time she averaged 218 miles, and 10k ft of climbing per day.

This is also a new Guinness World Record.

Rider’s Narrative Summary

Record Attempt: Circumnavigation of Great Britain 

Ride Name: Molly Weaver 

Start Time: 15th June 2025 – 4:00am 

Start Location: Northernmost Arch, Tower Bridge, London 

Why did you want to do a record? I had the feeling for a while that I wanted to do something ‘big’ and really see what I was capable of if I pushed myself, and solo challenges like a record attempt really appealed to me. I read about the round Britain record and was immediately inspired by it, and I’ve learnt that you’ve got to follow your heart in this weird world of ultra riding. That’s where the really beautiful moments live, and so often where success lies as well. 

What Were Conditions Like? Highly variable over the 3 weeks – from 30+ degrees celsius heat waves in the South, to torrential rain and gale force headwinds in the North and through Scotland, with temperatures as low as 5 degrees celsius, and towards the end a more ‘normal’ temperature with a little less rain and wind. Somehow still a headwind the whole way though! Out of the 21 days I think only 3 were generally favourable in terms of weather. 

What equipment did you use? Anything special? I rode a custom built Orbea Orca, with what for me was a perfect setup for an ultra distance ride like this. The culmination of many races and adventures together, it was a build that I’ve tried, tested, and fine tuned over a couple of years and many thousands of miles. It worked to perfection – no mechanicals and no punctures over the 7700+ kilometres. I wore Albion clothing, with their shorts helping to keep me saddle sore free, and their game-changing warm and waterproof layers proving much more valuable than I’d perhaps have hoped in June/July! 

What did you eat and drink? I ate more noodles, bags of sweets, and energy gels in 21 days than would probably be recommended to consume over the course of a year! The menu was carbs, carbs, more carbs, with a protein shake or two thrown in for good measure. Oh, and an unhealthy amount of coffee to keep the buzz alive! 

What was the best part? Other than crossing the ‘finish line’ with a new World Record, which was easily the highlight of the ride, the best part was probably the days I spent in the Highlands of Scotland, despite the horrendous conditions. The breathtaking beauty and vastness of the remote landscapes here is genuinely hard to take in. A stunningly rugged and unforgiving environment unlike anywhere else in Britain, where you have to earn every view but you’re more than rewarded for your efforts. 

What was the hardest part? The hardest part was any and all of the long, boring, flat roads I pedalled into a relentless headwind. Give me a mountain over that kind of mind numbing monotony any day! A pain like no other, and one that seemingly makes time stand still. 

Did anything particularly unusual happen? I don’t know how unusual it is on these sorts of record rides, but the amount of people that came out to cheer me on from the roadside throughout the three weeks was definitely unusual to me! Each as unexpected as the last,

The lift it gave me to see dot watchers out around the entire circumnavigation is hard to put into words. From the big cities to the remotest stretches, and in everything from soaring heat to truly torrential downpours. Homemade signs, kids out before school, dog watching dogs and cats, friends and family members I hadn’t seen for years, people lining the sides of the road with cow bells, I was inspired by it all and I’ll never forget that feeling. 

Finish Location: Northernmost Arch, Tower Bridge, London 

Finish Time: 6th July 2025 – 14:48pm 

Elapsed Time: 21 days, 10 hours, 48 minutes