Kate pedals her way to 3 world records in a day
ATHLETE Kate Strong has lived up to her name by smashing two Guinness World Records and set one more after becoming the first woman to do a non-stop 24 hour cycle challenge.
Kate, 42, from Bristol, now has three Guinness World Records to her name after completing the cycling challenge in Bristol last week.
She entered unknown territory on her static bamboo bike as she pedalled for 24 hours for the first time following her training of three sets of eight hours a week.
She kept her legs spinning from 3pm on May 26 all the way to 3pm the next day, breaking the first record when she reached 24.5 miles (39.43 kilometres) in the first hour.
The old world record for most distance travelled by a woman in an hour on a static bike was Kate’s own previous best of 23.39 miles (37.64 kilometres).
After that, she pushed her legs for another 23 hours, breaking her second world record when she passed the 12-hour mark having cycled 242.1 miles (389.62 kilometres).
She wrestled this record from Slovenian athlete Tina Ternjak who had cycled 216.24 miles (348 kilometres) on a static bike in 12 hours.
Finally, she completed 433 miles (696.85 kilometres) in 24 hours, setting a world record as the first woman to pedal that time interval on a static cycle.
Moments after finishing, Kate said: “I feel pretty stiff and I’m bleeding in places but overall I’m just elated.
“Three world records in one day is amazing. I’m really pleased, and exhausted.
“Most people thought it was crazy but I’m so glad I’ve done it.
“I’m looking forward to a long hot bath and I’ve been told by my performance manager to eat beans on toast which I never normally eat.
“We’re going out in Bristol on the weekend so I’ll celebrate with at least a cocktail then.
“You never know what will happen on the day so I went in with an open mind and heart knowing I would do my best.
“It was brutal sitting that long on a static bike.”
Kate, who became a world champion when she won the long-distance triathlon in her age-group in Australia, 2014, says she is certain her vegan diet helps her physical success.
Her recovery and digestion are faster, she says, and when she gave up dairy, her times improved by five seconds a kilometre and her lifelong asthma stopped within a week.
Her skin became clearer, and her eyes bluer, after she quit eating meat too, she says.
Kate started training as an athlete around a decade ago in her early 30s, and strives to help people to expect the unexpected.
Kate ate energy bars full of nuts and dates, and beetroot-juice gels during her cycle, and wolfed down a lentil curry during a couple of physio pit stops.
Those, plus one loo trip, were the only times she left her bike, but quickly, as the timer kept running.
Her worst moment came around 4am, as she broke the 12-hour record.
The pain was overwhelming for Kate and she struggled to stay focused – she even doubted she would make the 24 hours.
But minute by minute, her team pulled her through.
“I love people,” said Kate. “Today was one of those magical days when everyone really worked together. I love the bamboo bike too. You can see the grain of it and the lovely ridges. Sustainability is a big part of my life so it’s cool to have a sustainable bike.
“The frame is made totally with bamboo by a social enterprise in Ghana.”
Kate’s team of 20 did shifts to help her through the 24 hours, including 21-weeks pregnant performance manager Clare Simton who stayed the whole distance with Kate, and her partner Kieren Windsor who did all the logistics.
Kate will soon start training for the Limitless Challenge.
This will have her cycle 3,000 miles across the US, swim the English Channel, and climb Everest between June 2023 and May 2024.
Her regime focuses on physical mental emotional and spiritual training, so her team includes a cycling coach, a performance manager, her partner, and a Shaman.
Her three records for the furthest distance travelled on a static bike for a woman in one, 12 and 24 hours, achieved at the Clifton Observatory, are yet to be registered with Guinness.
“This record has really helped me believe it’s possible, because now I know I have the mindset I’ll need to climb Everest,” Kate said.