On The Edge: Molly Weaver’s World Record Ride
On July 6th, after 21 days, 10 hours and 48 minutes, Molly Weaver rolled into Tower Bridge in London—becoming the first woman to set a world record for circumnavigating mainland Britain by bike, breaking a time that had stood for 40 years.
A former Women’s WorldTour rider, Molly stepped away from racing after a crash and burnout in 2017. She found her way into ultra-distance events, chasing big landscapes, solo efforts, and above all, fun. But she never fully committed to going all in. Because when you don’t give it everything, failure can’t quite cut as deep.
Still, the feeling lingered: maybe she hadn’t yet seen what she was truly capable of. Maybe her past didn’t have to define her future. This year she decided to go all in, chasing the World Record a World Record. Riding 7,732 kilometers around the edge of Britain would take structure, discipline, and belief. And in the process, the effort itself became a form of healing.
In this episode, Molly shares the story behind the ride, how she rebuilt her relationship with trying, how her crew carried her through the hardest days, and how raising money for the RNLI gave the effort meaning beyond herself.
Topics include:
Circumnavigating mainland Britain by bikeSetting a world record and what it really takesHealing through structure and sustained effortLetting go of fear and redefining failureThe difference between a self-supported and supported effortFundraising for the RNLI and riding with purposeAnd yes… the dot-watching catIf you're keen to give Albion cycling clothing a go, use DETOURS15 at checkout for 15% off your order.
Follow Molly's adventures on Instagram: @mollyweaver94
Follow Mel on Instagram: @melwwebb
Follow Detours on Instagram: @detourscycling
Follow Albion on Instagram: @albion.cycling
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Detours: Bikepacking, Ultra-Cycling and Adventures by Bike
Hosted by ultra endurance and adventure cyclist Mel Webb, Detours brings you stories from inside the world of bikepacking and ultra cycling, featuring racers, community members, race directors and more. This show is about celebrating the journey, and the detours along the way, as much as the destination. We're especially passionate about providing space for folks that identify as women to share their stories and hope to inspire more people to ride bikes.Presented by Albion CyclingHave a topic you'd like us to cover? A guest you think we should interview? We'd love to hear from you! Please shoot us an email at [email protected] you love the show and want us to keep making it, consider becoming a supporter at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/detourspodcast
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