Highland cyclist takes on round-the-world record

Inverness cyclist going the distance with her Scottish-built bike

A cyclist from the Highlands is to embark on a gruelling challenge of navigating the globe on a Scottish-built bike this weekend.

Jenny Graham, from Inverness, aims to complete her challenge by putting Scottish bike- building expertise to the test as she travels through 15 different countries, exceeding 18,000 miles in the process.

She will leave from Berlin tomorrow morning.

Jenny said: “I am particularly proud to be making the bid for glory on a bike with strong Scottish credentials, designed and built by Shand founder and general manager, Steven Shand and his team at Livingston with support from colleagues at the firm’s sister plant in Leamington Spa.”

The 38 -year-o ld children’s services worker has already clocked more than 3,000 miles on her custom bicycle in training as she aims to smash the world record for the time taken for a female to circle the globe on a bicycle unsupported.

She added: “It was amazing. They just measured me up and then produced this great machine that fits me like a glove.”

The bike has been constructed by Shand Cycles with the aim of providing Jenny with the adequate equipment to cover 180 miles per day.

The record stands at 144 days and was set by Italian rider Paola Gianotti in 2014.

Steven Shand said: “Our aim for Jenny was to create a bike that would give her maximum comfort, so she could almost forget it was there at all.”

PREPARATION: Jenny Graham, her specially tailored bike and its designer and builder, Steven Shand, who has worked with Sir Chris Hoy