Trailblazers and change-makers – Women’s cycling’s most impressive, important and interesting world records

Ever since bikes were first invented, people have been using them to set records, and many of those people have been women. But what is it about records, why are we so obsessed with them? A quest for immortality, a need to tick something off, “because it’s there”, like George Mallory said of Everest, or perhaps a desire to raise awareness for a cause?

The Guinness World Records website has more than 50 pages devoted to women’s and men’s cycling records. They range from the silly (the world’s longest, tallest and smallest rideable bikes – 55.16m, 7.77m and 8.4cm respectively, since you ask) to the astounding, such as the greatest distance cycled in a year, or the fastest speed achieved behind a pacer (both of these records have been set by women).