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Cycling to the South Pole: A World First
It had been proved impossible, but on 27th December 2013, Maria Leijerstam from Great Britain became the first person in the world to cycle to the South Pole. For four years, Maria fought against every obstacle possible. How was she going to fund this mission? What was the best cycle for the job? And would this ordinary woman be fit and strong enough fulfill her dream, especially since there was strong male competition from around the world? Maria writes with her heart and reveals a world of adventure that is accessible to everyone who has a dream. ‘My deepest congratulations to Maria for completing the journey in great style and speed and showing us boys how to successfully cycle to the South Pole!’ - Douglas Stoup, Professional explorer and polar pioneer
163 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 5, 2017
About the author
Maria Leijerstam
4 books1 followerMaria Leijerstam became the first person in the world to cycle to the South Pole from the edge of the Antarctic continent on December 27, 2013. At the same time, she achieved a second world record for the fastest human powered coast to South Pole traverse, completing her journey in 10 days, 14 hours and 56 minutes. Maria spent four years planning, training and preparing for this double world record. She pushed through extreme mental and physical barriers and built a winning team to achieve the unthinkable.
In 2007, Maria was the first Welsh woman to complete the Marathon Des Sables, running six marathons in seven days across the Sahara desert and a few years later became the first woman to complete the Siberian Black Ice Race, a 650 kilometre cycle across Lake Baikal. She also competed on the World Series Adventure Racing circuit, representing Great Britain.
Her business life began in rocket science with BAE Systems. She later moved on to project management where she worked for a variety of multinational organisations including Ford of Europe.
In 2010, she combined her love of sport with her business acumen and set up Multisport Ltd, an adventure sports company based in Wales, UK. She now hosts the successful Burn Series adventure races with the aim of introducing sport as a way of life for all.
In 2007, Maria was the first Welsh woman to complete the Marathon Des Sables, running six marathons in seven days across the Sahara desert and a few years later became the first woman to complete the Siberian Black Ice Race, a 650 kilometre cycle across Lake Baikal. She also competed on the World Series Adventure Racing circuit, representing Great Britain.
Her business life began in rocket science with BAE Systems. She later moved on to project management where she worked for a variety of multinational organisations including Ford of Europe.
In 2010, she combined her love of sport with her business acumen and set up Multisport Ltd, an adventure sports company based in Wales, UK. She now hosts the successful Burn Series adventure races with the aim of introducing sport as a way of life for all.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
April 7, 2020
The incredibly inspiring story of one woman’s determination to be the first person to cycle to the South Pole.
Even if you’re not familiar with the geographical features or the technical side of cycling/camping/surviving in Arctic conditions, Maria describes it in enough detail to enable you to accompany her on the journey.
Maria is so down to earth that she can make you believe that she is just an ordinary woman and that with determination and ambition, you could do what she has done... and then you realise that she is definitely NOT an ordinary woman!
A brilliant book. I found it hard to put down. The only thing that would have improved it would have been some photographs (I read the kindle version so the paperback may contain pictures).
Even if you’re not familiar with the geographical features or the technical side of cycling/camping/surviving in Arctic conditions, Maria describes it in enough detail to enable you to accompany her on the journey.
Maria is so down to earth that she can make you believe that she is just an ordinary woman and that with determination and ambition, you could do what she has done... and then you realise that she is definitely NOT an ordinary woman!
A brilliant book. I found it hard to put down. The only thing that would have improved it would have been some photographs (I read the kindle version so the paperback may contain pictures).
October 14, 2022
I am in awe of this woman!!
If you ever need an expedition planned, this is the person for the job. The research and planning that made her trek to the south pole a success was just amazing. Her physicality and mindset is what awed me from the beginning. All of the competitions that she participated in was unbelievable. Her ability to drive herself in some of the harshest conditions on the planet show how amazing the human body is. She definitely has a life well lived.
If you ever need an expedition planned, this is the person for the job. The research and planning that made her trek to the south pole a success was just amazing. Her physicality and mindset is what awed me from the beginning. All of the competitions that she participated in was unbelievable. Her ability to drive herself in some of the harshest conditions on the planet show how amazing the human body is. She definitely has a life well lived.
February 4, 2019
Felt like I was cycling with Maria.
April 23, 2020
Well worth reading account of quite a monumental feat; just goes to show that anything is possible if you have enough strength and support.
May 20, 2020
I raced through this book faster than Maria raced to the South Pole! I really enjoyed the story and this book was much easier to read than some point others I've read recently.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews