Around the world in 120 days
A South African endurance athlete from East London who will attempt to circumnavigate the world on her bicycle this year, Cristin Flynn, stopped over in George last week on her way from East London to Cape Town.
Flynn (37), a mother of three, will start the 29 000km journey around the globe in June. She is aiming to break the previous women’s record set by a Scot, Jenny Graham, who took 124 days and 11 hours. Flynn wants to cut at least four days off the record. "I will be starting from Germany and cycle through China, Australia, New Zealand, the US and back to Europe to end at the starting point."
She is currently cycling from East London to Cape Town as part of creating publicity and seeking sponsors. "My initial plan was to go solo, because a backup team is very expensive, but thanks to sponsorships, it looks as if things are starting to fall in place for a backup vehicle."
Flynn also wants to create awareness of the needs of African Angels, an independent school near East London where learners are dependent on sponsors for their fees.
She has done a lot of solo riding over extreme distances and in the process has met many interesting people and seen different places. Cycling around the world will be a lifelong dream come true. "There will be a lot of challenges on this journey - physical exhaustion and the mental struggle as well as sickness and injury. Traffic is another factor and obviously the weather conditions and wind direction will also have an impact." As she is riding against time, keeping to a schedule is all-important.
Flynn (37), a mother of three, will start the journey around the globe in June.