Off the back of her record-breaking One Way North challenge, Sarah Ruggins is back in the saddle.
Image courtesy of @sarah_ruggins via Instagram
One month on from cycling the length of Europe in record time, we caught up with Sarah to reflect on the highs, the hardships and the mindset behind one of the most extraordinary endurance rides in cycling history.
Read the full interview below:
CP: Hey Sarah, thanks for sitting down with us one month after completing the One-Way North Challenge. We're excited to have you back! First things first, how have you been since crossing the finish line?
SR: “Things have been great - it has taken me a few weeks to decompress from putting my body under so much stress, but I’m now back on the bike (riding for fun only!) and getting back into the routine of daily life. It’s strange heading back to work knowing I’ve recently gone through this incredible life-changing experience!”
CP: You became a three-time record holder, beating the European cycling record by an incredible 3 days and 32 minutes. That's an extraordinary achievement. How does it feel now that you've had some time to reflect on it?
SR: “It’s been the privilege of my lifetime to be so well surrounded when attempting something so difficult. Knowing that the team and I did exactly what we said we were going to do, and having it turn out better than expected, is a feeling unlike anything I’ve ever experienced.”
“It’s given me renewed confidence in saying that we are all capable of more than we give ourselves credit for.”
Image courtesy of @sarah_ruggins via Instagram
CP: Every challenge comes with its highs and lows. What were some of the toughest moments you faced during One Way North, and how did you push through them?
SR: “Needing to cover over 600km per day in Spain and into France during the June heatwave was a major challenge. The volume of fluid I needed to drink on an hourly basis made me ill and unable to eat, but we problem-solved effectively to get me through to the cooler climates.
I’d say the second most challenging moment was in Finland - I had 1,300km of straight roads, no elevation, a strong headwind, and nonstop torrential rain in freezing temps for nearly 3 days. My team was changing my clothes every 90minutes because I was soaked and icicles were forming. Going out into the night in those conditions took all of my mental resilience.”
CP: Looking back, is there anything you would do differently if you were starting the challenge again?
SR: “Not a single thing. We overprepared, and the team was stacked. I think of these projects like problem-solving exercises. If you can build strong decision frameworks and processes across the areas we determine to be ‘no fail’, you maximise your probability of success. Our no-fail pillars were navigation, nutrition, mechanics, medical and sleep. The team excelled, which allowed me to focus singularly on one thing: turning the pedals.”
CP: What was the single most rewarding moment of the entire journey?
SR: “Getting to the start line. No one sees the year of preparation by the team - they just see the record attempt itself. But in my view, the record attempt is the celebration of the work that’s come before. So, I am most proud of having built the team, the strength and the focus needed to arrive at the start line confident there wasn’t a single thing more I could do to prepare.”
CP: As an official partner, we loved being part of your adventure. How did the Crep Protect Insoles support you throughout such a demanding ride?
SR: “They were integral to the ride! When you’re on your feet all day, you’re prone to hotspots or discomfort, which can quickly ruin your progress. Cycling cleats can often cause nerve pain on the bottom of your feet. The team was rotating in new insoles every few days as we changed shoes - as a result, I didn’t have any foot pain whatsoever.”
Image courtesy of @sarah_ruggins via Instagram
CP: Completing a challenge of this scale would make most people want to put their feet up for a while! So, what's next for Sarah Ruggins? Can you give us any hints about the next adventure on your radar?
SR: “Well, I intend on completing a 3-year ‘trilogy’. In 2025 we took the country, breaking the world record for fastest person to cycle the length of Britain and back. This year we took the continent, crossing the length of Europe in record time. Next year, we’re going bigger. But I won’t say what it is quite yet!”
CP: Finally, for anyone dreaming of taking on endurance cycling or competing at a professional level, what advice would you give them before they set off on their own journey?
SR: “The barriers in front of you are distractions. Look for your opportunity, and no matter what the odds, focus on developing the skills you need to tackle it. Adopt a beginner's mindset and learn from everyone you can while you do.”
CP: Thanks for taking the time to catch up with us, Sarah, and congratulations once again on an incredible achievement. We can't wait to see where the road takes you next.
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