What happens when a dream is so big, so audacious, that you commit to it long before you have the skills, money, or confidence to make it happen?
For Paula Ralph, that dream was to cycle from Cape Town, South Africa to Nordkapp, Norway— a 12,290 km journey across 17 countries. What began as a Guinness World Record attempt soon transformed into something far more powerful: a test of courage, resilience, and self-belief.
Paula set off with one goal — to become the fastest woman to complete the route. But along the way, reality hit hard. Injuries, financial setbacks, fear, loneliness, and a traumatic collision with a truck in Zambia forced her to confront a heartbreaking truth: the record might no longer be possible. At this crossroads, Paula had a choice — stop, or redefine what success looked like.
She chose to keep going.
In this episode, Paula shares the raw truth behind the miles: the moments of doubt, the joy of human connection, the quiet sunrises that kept her pedalling, and the inner strength she discovered when everything else was stripped away. Her story is not just about endurance on a bike — it's about holding on to your "why" when the original plan falls apart.
If you've ever had a dream that felt too big, or found yourself at the edge of giving up, Paula's journey will remind you that progress isn't always measured in records — sometimes it's measured in courage, growth, and the refusal to quit.
This episode is for you if:
- You're chasing a big goal or adventure
- You've experienced setbacks or self-doubt
- You want inspiration to keep going when life gets tough
- You love stories of resilience, solo travel, and human grit
Ready to be inspired by what's possible when you simply refuse to stop?
Hit play and let Paula take you on the road with her.
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Show notes
- Who is Paula
- Doing the Long Ride - Cape Town to Nordkapp, Norway
- Being based in the UK
- Growing up in South Africa in the middle of nowhere
- Not being very adventurous
- Getting sporty in her adult years
- Getting married and putting on weight
- Deciding to join a gym to lose weight in
- Paying a Personal Trainer
- How her outlook on fitness changed
- Wanting to encourage other people to live a healthy life
- Getting into Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
- Becoming a sports therapist in 2009
- Going into retail after college
- Getting her personal training qualifications
- Advice and tips for women who aren't feeling comfortable in their body
- Encouraging women to find something they'd enjoy
- Getting the idea for the ride in 2020
- Being inspired by the longest walkable road in the world - from cape town to a tiny town in Russia
- Sharing her dream on Facebook
- Giving herself 4 years to plan and train
- Deciding to do a cycling camp in Italy
- Meeting her coach - Ian
- Deciding it was now or never and starting the ride
- The challenges of getting to the start line
- Getting divorced in 2012 and not having children
- The challenges of being self employed
- Struggling financially
- Creating a go fund me, to fund the challenge
- Wanting to start a foundation to help children in disadvantaged communities
- Needing to take a little diversion to get back on track
- The start line of the long ride
- Being driven to the start line at 5am
- Dealing with the nerves at the start
- Wanting to beat the record and complete the challenge in 72 days
- Not having a support crew anymore due to the sponsorship falling through
- Having an 8kg pack on her back while cycling
- Crossing the border into Botswana
- Her cycle route through Africa
- The anxiety heading up to the Ethiopia border
- Border crossing
- Heading through the Middle East and making it to Europe
- Mental resilience during the ride
- Reflecting on each day, how the day went and how she was feeling
- Why the only way is forward
- Smiling through the pain
- Being on the bike and where her focus was
- Getting hit by a truck in Zambia
- Needing to set the world record aside
- Feeling overwhelmed and not wanting to continue the ride - being completely done
- The end of the journey and knowing the end was insight
- Feeling proud of herself
- Going live on Instagram to thank everyone
- Adjusting back to life after the trip
- Leaving everything in the UAE
- Heading back to the UK after the ride
- Finding a contract job
- Trying to enjoy the downtime after the ride and struggling with not moving forward
- How to connect with Paula on social media
- Having her first account hacked on Instagram
- Fail to plan - plan to fail
- Why its all in the planning
- Be prepared to be adaptable
- Forge forward
Social Media
Instagram: @thelongridec2c.2