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Coffee First, Then the World: One Woman's Record-Breaking Pedal Around the Planet
16 countries, 124 days and 18,000 miles. This is the story of one woman's solo lap of the planet by bike.
'The relief was immense: no longer was I talking, thinking or worrying about this. I was just actually doing it. I, Jenny Graham, was riding around the actual world!'
In 2018, amateur cyclist Jenny Graham left family and friends behind in Scotland to become the fastest woman to cycle around the world. Alone and unsupported, she crossed the finish line at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin four months later, smashing the female record by nearly three weeks.
With infectious wit and honesty, Jenny brings readers into her remarkable Round the World adventure, as she takes on four continents, 16 countries – and countless cups of coffee. Her journey swerves from terrifying near road collisions in Russia and weather extremes in Australia to breathtaking landscapes in Mongolia and exhilarating wildlife encounters in North America. Tight on time and money, she resorts to fixing her bike on the fly, sleeping on roadsides and often riding through the night to stay on track and complete her mission.
As she battles physical and mental challenges to race against the clock, Jenny gradually opens up to the joy of the adventure and all its daily discoveries. She gives in to her impulse to connect with people, making friends with strangers across the globe and embracing new cultures.
Coffee First, Then the World is her account of a record-breaking ride, and how one woman and a humble bike conquered the world.
'The relief was immense: no longer was I talking, thinking or worrying about this. I was just actually doing it. I, Jenny Graham, was riding around the actual world!'
In 2018, amateur cyclist Jenny Graham left family and friends behind in Scotland to become the fastest woman to cycle around the world. Alone and unsupported, she crossed the finish line at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin four months later, smashing the female record by nearly three weeks.
With infectious wit and honesty, Jenny brings readers into her remarkable Round the World adventure, as she takes on four continents, 16 countries – and countless cups of coffee. Her journey swerves from terrifying near road collisions in Russia and weather extremes in Australia to breathtaking landscapes in Mongolia and exhilarating wildlife encounters in North America. Tight on time and money, she resorts to fixing her bike on the fly, sleeping on roadsides and often riding through the night to stay on track and complete her mission.
As she battles physical and mental challenges to race against the clock, Jenny gradually opens up to the joy of the adventure and all its daily discoveries. She gives in to her impulse to connect with people, making friends with strangers across the globe and embracing new cultures.
Coffee First, Then the World is her account of a record-breaking ride, and how one woman and a humble bike conquered the world.
277 pages, Hardcover
Published April 13, 2023
74 people are currently reading
879 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 123 reviews
May 18, 2023
“I, Jenny Graham, was riding around the actual world!”
How can you read the title of this book and not want to learn more about the inspiring attempt at a world record by Jenny, an endurance cyclist and kind-hearted mum? She’s chasing a goal to be the fastest woman to circumnavigate the world on a bike, and we get the privilege to accompany her on her adventure. Along the 18,000 miles over 16 countries, we get a glimpse of what it’s like to sleep in desolate areas, fight through storms, mend gear, deal with unsavory locals, and narrowly make checkpoints as she strives to make it to the finish line on time. It’s a reflective and inspiring book about a young woman who is putting everything on the line to achieve an amazing goal. What she is attempting is akin to Reinhold Messner and Peter Habeler when they summited Everest or Amelia Earhart when she flew across the Atlantic. For years, I have recommended Jon Krakauer’s Into Thin Air as the de facto adventure story, but this sits right alongside it. Jenny Graham certainly brings adventure writing to a whole new level.
“Like so many other things on the road, ‘home’ had been stripped back. It was no longer a physical place, but rather a self-defined place within me.”
Before I get ahead of myself, I must say that this is not a traditional sports biography by any means. Each chapter reads like a travelogue. You start off each section learning details about her mileage for the day, the cities she crosses, and where she attempts to sleep, but you do not need to be an expert in cycling to enjoy the story. She takes you by the hand and leads you through more of the technical details of cycling, such as saddle material, chains, fittings, techniques, and more. It's an incredibly fascinating world, to say the least. If you love incredible adventure stories where incredible people accomplish incredible feats, this book is for you. That’s three Incredibles in the last few sentences, so if you did not know already, I LOVED this book.
“You must not leave. It’s far too dangerous for a woman on her own. You must stay tonight. ' OMG, I was actually being kidnapped by kindness'."
As you traverse the world with Jenny, she keeps you updated along the way with quick snippets of people she encounters on the journey. Whether it’s being shepherd around some bears on the road or putting her trust in mechanics to overhaul her bike hours before she is to set out again, Jenny seems to always have it together. The goal is always at the forefront of her mind, and no minor detours will keep her from achieving it. It was impressive to see her breaking down language barriers with individuals all over the world and laughing when seemingly insurmountable delays were thrown her way. From start to finish, it was an emotional rollercoaster.
“The physical benefits of training are easy to measure, but it’s only in times of resistance that you will see the resilience you have built up mentally to adverse situations.”
If you think for one second that this is some sort of commercialized setup like so many other endurance-based books, think again! Even though the Guinness Book of World Records does not distinguish the difference, she is attempting this feat in an unsupported fashion. This means that she is in control of her lodging, food, logistics, gear, timekeeping, and more! Her bike is essentially her desk, where she must tackle a multitude of administrative tasks for future arrivals. As you can imagine, the more nail-biting sections include getting through customs without losing an absorbent amount of time, making sure you have enough supplies if you encounter a puncture, and braving the monstrous trucks on the road. Oh, and finding coffee. That was incredibly important too!
“As the least important person on the road, I was the pawn that could be sacrificed at any moment.”
Let's talk about her lodging for a moment. I was so incredibly nervous for her safety because she was sleeping outdoors alone most of the time and vulnerable to the elements and wildlife that stalked around at night. She carries on through it all. Nothing seems to affect her when she’s dealt an uninspiring view, has plane booking nightmares, or has to miss meals by cycling throughout the night, topping off with calories from the food scraps in her bike bag. Her encounter with a bear was truly terrifying, and I was pleased when she attached a significant number of noisemakers to her bike to let any would-be animals know she was barreling down the road. She is a bonified wonder woman! In fact, move aside Diana Princess; we have a new sheriff in town, and her name is Jenny Graham.
“While I’m a fan of dreaming big and wild, I have come to realise that true contentment for me is actually found on the journey to the start line.”
As the book comes full circle and you gaze upon the pictures of the journey and read the humbling epilogue, you have to take a breath and marvel at what she was able to accomplish. It makes you want to mount your own personal dreams and tackle them with gusto.
Bravo, Jenny. Thanks for letting us get a small glimpse into your journey and your life.
❖ Category: Adventure / Cycling / Extreme Sport / Travelogue
❖ Rating: 5/5
How can you read the title of this book and not want to learn more about the inspiring attempt at a world record by Jenny, an endurance cyclist and kind-hearted mum? She’s chasing a goal to be the fastest woman to circumnavigate the world on a bike, and we get the privilege to accompany her on her adventure. Along the 18,000 miles over 16 countries, we get a glimpse of what it’s like to sleep in desolate areas, fight through storms, mend gear, deal with unsavory locals, and narrowly make checkpoints as she strives to make it to the finish line on time. It’s a reflective and inspiring book about a young woman who is putting everything on the line to achieve an amazing goal. What she is attempting is akin to Reinhold Messner and Peter Habeler when they summited Everest or Amelia Earhart when she flew across the Atlantic. For years, I have recommended Jon Krakauer’s Into Thin Air as the de facto adventure story, but this sits right alongside it. Jenny Graham certainly brings adventure writing to a whole new level.
“Like so many other things on the road, ‘home’ had been stripped back. It was no longer a physical place, but rather a self-defined place within me.”
Before I get ahead of myself, I must say that this is not a traditional sports biography by any means. Each chapter reads like a travelogue. You start off each section learning details about her mileage for the day, the cities she crosses, and where she attempts to sleep, but you do not need to be an expert in cycling to enjoy the story. She takes you by the hand and leads you through more of the technical details of cycling, such as saddle material, chains, fittings, techniques, and more. It's an incredibly fascinating world, to say the least. If you love incredible adventure stories where incredible people accomplish incredible feats, this book is for you. That’s three Incredibles in the last few sentences, so if you did not know already, I LOVED this book.
“You must not leave. It’s far too dangerous for a woman on her own. You must stay tonight. ' OMG, I was actually being kidnapped by kindness'."
As you traverse the world with Jenny, she keeps you updated along the way with quick snippets of people she encounters on the journey. Whether it’s being shepherd around some bears on the road or putting her trust in mechanics to overhaul her bike hours before she is to set out again, Jenny seems to always have it together. The goal is always at the forefront of her mind, and no minor detours will keep her from achieving it. It was impressive to see her breaking down language barriers with individuals all over the world and laughing when seemingly insurmountable delays were thrown her way. From start to finish, it was an emotional rollercoaster.
“The physical benefits of training are easy to measure, but it’s only in times of resistance that you will see the resilience you have built up mentally to adverse situations.”
If you think for one second that this is some sort of commercialized setup like so many other endurance-based books, think again! Even though the Guinness Book of World Records does not distinguish the difference, she is attempting this feat in an unsupported fashion. This means that she is in control of her lodging, food, logistics, gear, timekeeping, and more! Her bike is essentially her desk, where she must tackle a multitude of administrative tasks for future arrivals. As you can imagine, the more nail-biting sections include getting through customs without losing an absorbent amount of time, making sure you have enough supplies if you encounter a puncture, and braving the monstrous trucks on the road. Oh, and finding coffee. That was incredibly important too!
“As the least important person on the road, I was the pawn that could be sacrificed at any moment.”
Let's talk about her lodging for a moment. I was so incredibly nervous for her safety because she was sleeping outdoors alone most of the time and vulnerable to the elements and wildlife that stalked around at night. She carries on through it all. Nothing seems to affect her when she’s dealt an uninspiring view, has plane booking nightmares, or has to miss meals by cycling throughout the night, topping off with calories from the food scraps in her bike bag. Her encounter with a bear was truly terrifying, and I was pleased when she attached a significant number of noisemakers to her bike to let any would-be animals know she was barreling down the road. She is a bonified wonder woman! In fact, move aside Diana Princess; we have a new sheriff in town, and her name is Jenny Graham.
“While I’m a fan of dreaming big and wild, I have come to realise that true contentment for me is actually found on the journey to the start line.”
As the book comes full circle and you gaze upon the pictures of the journey and read the humbling epilogue, you have to take a breath and marvel at what she was able to accomplish. It makes you want to mount your own personal dreams and tackle them with gusto.
Bravo, Jenny. Thanks for letting us get a small glimpse into your journey and your life.
❖ Category: Adventure / Cycling / Extreme Sport / Travelogue
❖ Rating: 5/5
May 7, 2023
When Jenny Graham decided to attempt to become the fastest woman to circumnavigate the world on a bicycle (with allowances for flights over oceans), she was both excited and nervous. This book that captures her adventures during this expedition was a fun and enjoyable read.
The best part of this book is her refreshing honesty about her fears and trepidations - and she does so with happiness and humor. This would sound like it would be difficult to pull off but Graham does so in a way that will keep the reader engaged and entertained. It doesn’t matter whether she is describing the terror of trucks running her off the road in Russia, the fear of snakes in Australia or when she sleeps outside in the elements on so many nights, it’s just fine to read about her adventures.
She does talk about her relationships with family and friends, but the real people aspect of this book is her interactions with those from other countries and cultures. The most heartwarming of these encounters are the many friendly people she met in Mongolia. Just like when talking about her fears and frustrations, Graham talks about these encounters with great energy, humor and joy - one can’t help but smile at some of these passages.
One doesn’t have to be a cyclist, a fan of the sport or even know anything about a bike to enjoy this book. If the reader wants to get a first hand account of a fantastic accomplishment by one woman with determination, then this is the book for them.
I wish to thank Bloomsbury Sport for providing a copy of the book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The best part of this book is her refreshing honesty about her fears and trepidations - and she does so with happiness and humor. This would sound like it would be difficult to pull off but Graham does so in a way that will keep the reader engaged and entertained. It doesn’t matter whether she is describing the terror of trucks running her off the road in Russia, the fear of snakes in Australia or when she sleeps outside in the elements on so many nights, it’s just fine to read about her adventures.
She does talk about her relationships with family and friends, but the real people aspect of this book is her interactions with those from other countries and cultures. The most heartwarming of these encounters are the many friendly people she met in Mongolia. Just like when talking about her fears and frustrations, Graham talks about these encounters with great energy, humor and joy - one can’t help but smile at some of these passages.
One doesn’t have to be a cyclist, a fan of the sport or even know anything about a bike to enjoy this book. If the reader wants to get a first hand account of a fantastic accomplishment by one woman with determination, then this is the book for them.
I wish to thank Bloomsbury Sport for providing a copy of the book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
January 15, 2024
Jenny Graham has won me over as a raving fan. Her achievement of the self-supported Round-the-World record is astounding. She strictly adheres to self-imposed rules about what 'self-supported' means (since Guinness doesn't differentiate yet) and she follows them even when other options present themselves, like denying to ride in someone's slipstream or only staying in homes that are part of the Warm Showers network. She sleeps in culverts, public toilets, farm fields and bus stops. She does all her own bike maintenance, except when bike shops are en-route to help. She books all her accommodation (when not sleeping rough) and her flights from the dashboard of her bike while on the move. She films and photographs herself, sends info along to her sister for various social updates, and messages/face times with family and friends, all while riding about 280km per day, for 125 straight days.
This is very different than a 'supported' record which may involve a team with a mechanic, a shopper, a cook, a navigator, a launderer, a social media manager and a travel agent all driving nearby in an RV, offering warm drinks, wholesome meals, statistics and encouraging distraction.
But, instead of coming across as some elite, unreachable athlete, Jenny makes everything seem attainable. I feel empowered by her ride and it truly makes me want to go out and do big things too. It would be brilliant to spend a day with her. She is brutally honest about who she is (this untamed woman😂), how she looks (and smells!), and how disorganized she can be - and yet she is able to laugh at it all. She may well be the most likeable person on the planet.
I highly recommend this book and, if you have access to GCN+, her post-ride video title Eastbound.
This is very different than a 'supported' record which may involve a team with a mechanic, a shopper, a cook, a navigator, a launderer, a social media manager and a travel agent all driving nearby in an RV, offering warm drinks, wholesome meals, statistics and encouraging distraction.
But, instead of coming across as some elite, unreachable athlete, Jenny makes everything seem attainable. I feel empowered by her ride and it truly makes me want to go out and do big things too. It would be brilliant to spend a day with her. She is brutally honest about who she is (this untamed woman😂), how she looks (and smells!), and how disorganized she can be - and yet she is able to laugh at it all. She may well be the most likeable person on the planet.
... the thought of coming all this way to be as fresh as I could at the finish line horrified me. I'd be so disappointed in myself if I arrived anything other than completely delirious!
I highly recommend this book and, if you have access to GCN+, her post-ride video title Eastbound.
June 5, 2023
It’s amazing how fickle the mind is - last week I wanted to be a gamer, after reading this book I now want to be an endurance cyclist. Jenny’s account of her World Record attempt (which she smashed!) is raw, unfiltered and hilarious. Love a book which enables me to engage with a new thing I know nothing about, thank you Jenny!
May 13, 2023
Endurance with determination and a smile
I cycle. I've done a few long distance rides. John O'Groats to Lands End, Aberystwyth to Lowestoft coast to coast. But the idea of cycling around the world, solo and unsupported is hard to appreciate.
Not only the logistics and planning required, the fundraising and sponsorship to enable the project to get off the ground, but the mental attitude to force yourself to continue day after day for months on end spinning the pedals. As your body craves sleep, as fatigue and exhaustion drain you mentally as well as physically.
Add to this the fortitude to overcome the uncontrollables. The inevitable punctures, mechanical failures, the weather, the uncertainty of where and when you will sleep, eat, rest, recover.
Then add to the mix that this is no saunter, no gentle Sunday ride. It is against the clock, which doesn't stop until you make it back to your starting point, at least 18,000 miles after that first pedal push. A world record attempt.
Chapeau to Jenny Graham. She faced everything with humility, humour and honesty. Her book conveys the whole gamut of emotions, the highs, lows, the doubts, determination, fears, triumphs. It conveys the thing that connects us all whether in Ulan Bataar, Auckland or Anchorage. Kindness and being part of someone's life experience and making it better. So many moments of kindness from others permeate Jenny's ride. No wonder she smiled her way around the world (though there were many grimaces in the teeth of a storm, or the grimness of sleeping in a toilet).
I have read many incredible accounts of super-human endurance, especially by bike. And Jenny Graham's is the best I have read.
To face everything, to endure and to make it around the world alone, on her bike, to take the world record...and still keep smiling. Well, Jenny Graham, you are a super human. Chapeau indeed.
I cycle. I've done a few long distance rides. John O'Groats to Lands End, Aberystwyth to Lowestoft coast to coast. But the idea of cycling around the world, solo and unsupported is hard to appreciate.
Not only the logistics and planning required, the fundraising and sponsorship to enable the project to get off the ground, but the mental attitude to force yourself to continue day after day for months on end spinning the pedals. As your body craves sleep, as fatigue and exhaustion drain you mentally as well as physically.
Add to this the fortitude to overcome the uncontrollables. The inevitable punctures, mechanical failures, the weather, the uncertainty of where and when you will sleep, eat, rest, recover.
Then add to the mix that this is no saunter, no gentle Sunday ride. It is against the clock, which doesn't stop until you make it back to your starting point, at least 18,000 miles after that first pedal push. A world record attempt.
Chapeau to Jenny Graham. She faced everything with humility, humour and honesty. Her book conveys the whole gamut of emotions, the highs, lows, the doubts, determination, fears, triumphs. It conveys the thing that connects us all whether in Ulan Bataar, Auckland or Anchorage. Kindness and being part of someone's life experience and making it better. So many moments of kindness from others permeate Jenny's ride. No wonder she smiled her way around the world (though there were many grimaces in the teeth of a storm, or the grimness of sleeping in a toilet).
I have read many incredible accounts of super-human endurance, especially by bike. And Jenny Graham's is the best I have read.
To face everything, to endure and to make it around the world alone, on her bike, to take the world record...and still keep smiling. Well, Jenny Graham, you are a super human. Chapeau indeed.
September 1, 2023
Go, Jenny, go! 5 ⭐️ for Coffee First, Then the World - Jenny Grahams epic world record breaking solo, unsupported cycle around the world. Jenny holds the female world record and her story is badass, listening via audiobook is highly recommended - Jenny narrates in her lovely Scottish accent, and it includes actually clips from her audio diaries she recorded on the ride. I don’t always take in an audiobook but I was completely absorbed!
There are some endurance athletes, there are some excellent adventure writers, but there are few who can combine the two and write such a compelling book. Jenny has an approachable, honest way of writing and by the end of it you’ll want to undertake your own epic adventure.
I loved the layout of this book. It’s her daily journal and audio diary entires, so you are with her every step (or pedal) or the way. But it also includes chapters on her training, her life, how she got to where she is now (and honestly she is a relatable, normal human being) and gear lists etc - for a gear geek like me, this was very enjoyable. It breaks up but also compliments the ride perfectly.
There are some endurance athletes, there are some excellent adventure writers, but there are few who can combine the two and write such a compelling book. Jenny has an approachable, honest way of writing and by the end of it you’ll want to undertake your own epic adventure.
I loved the layout of this book. It’s her daily journal and audio diary entires, so you are with her every step (or pedal) or the way. But it also includes chapters on her training, her life, how she got to where she is now (and honestly she is a relatable, normal human being) and gear lists etc - for a gear geek like me, this was very enjoyable. It breaks up but also compliments the ride perfectly.
July 30, 2025
loooooved! feeling inspired 🚲
October 9, 2023
My favorite adventure book read until now (and ive read many!) and it's not even about mountains! Given to me by my friend lucy ❤️ at first I saw the day by day journal like format and thought I would get bored, but omg every day was just so fresh and masterfully crafted to include little details about the ride. Jenny is an absolute badass, but she keeps it so real, honest and relatable, like I feel I just rode around the world too. Loved the transitions in cultures and landscapes, and the scottishness of it all. This book deserves 10 stars.
January 14, 2024
Jenny Graham is a legend! Cycling around the world is no mean feat, but doing it at this pace is an entirely different experience. This book will either inspire you to take off on your own adventures... or put you off entirely once you come to understand the suffering involved. Take your pick ;)
July 31, 2024
FINALLY FINISHED! I put this book down early summer and then forgot about it until the library asked for it back. Such a wonderful and inspiring story, and timely read as Lael Wilcox is currently attempting to get the women’s around the world record right now!
February 14, 2025
A solid four star read for anyone who's ridden a century or other long distance cycling event. If you're not familiar with the joys and aches that come with being on a bike for several hours, it might only be a three star book.
Extra half a star if you love a Scottish accent. Jenny narrates and she's an absolute gem.
Extra half a star if you love a Scottish accent. Jenny narrates and she's an absolute gem.
April 5, 2025
Six stars; highly recommend this book
September 14, 2025
I would not do this ride. But kudos, Jen
December 16, 2025
Awful title, average book, incredible feat
Gets 4 stars because I love adventure writing and hence I loved it, but wouldn't necessarily recommend or say it was a particularly well written book
Gets 4 stars because I love adventure writing and hence I loved it, but wouldn't necessarily recommend or say it was a particularly well written book
July 19, 2024
Excellent book, probably enjoyed all of the little stories not really relevant to cycling the most. I laughed and cried and might now regret giving other books 5 stars because this was better.
September 29, 2024
Enjoyed a addition of her audio diaries in the audible version. Loved her honesty but thought it she was going to do it slower/enjoy the journey so was a little surprised in a slight negative way.
March 28, 2025
Fantastic adventure, amazing person. Great perspective
April 24, 2025
this book got me through some very tough rides. it was a phenomenal read!! great for anyone who loves cycling, adventure and also a great read if you are going through a quarter life crisis.
March 23, 2024
Total and utter respect for Jenny Graham on so many levels. What a story!
April 12, 2023
An amazing story told with Jenny’s trademark openness and honesty. It’s not just a tale about cycling around the world, but the adventure that life itself is. The physical feat of the cycling is not the most impressive bit, but rather what happens in the mind, what it took to put herself on the start line, to keep going and to cope with all that the journey required of her. I ‘followed her dot’ at the time of the journey in 2018 and loved reliving that through the book, but with the benefit of understanding the whole story this time and all the insight into life and the world than Jenny shares with it. A brilliant read.
July 25, 2024
Loved this!! Such a cool human, funny and well written book
April 30, 2023
I wondered if I would enjoy this book and quickly came to realise I would love it. Jenny Graham has a frank and honest way of writing which is engaging and emotionally connecting. I have read a lot of books about walking, climbing, sailing and climbing and would class this as one of the best. Day by day she brings you along and is not afraid to share her fears of snakes, bears and kangaroos. You feel her ups and her downs her resilience and her worries. I found it a compelling and gripping read.
May 22, 2025
Absolutely loved it! Such an inspirational story, written in an fantastic way. Couldn't stop!
July 10, 2025
An amazing accomplishment! But I think I’m one of those “enjoy the journey” people rather than “I’m going to go as fast as I can, talk and spend as little time as I can- so that I can get the world record” people. That’s not to take from how hard this was. I guess I just prefer more about the cultures/scenery/adventure aspect of a story (there is some of that here-but again- very shortened because of her time pressure).
May 15, 2023
A very entertaining memoir by one of the world's most badass women.
June 16, 2023
Best round the world book I’ve read. Bloody loved it!
June 2, 2024
This is one of the best cycling books I've ever come across. A rich picture of her record-setting ride.
July 20, 2025
I loved it! Sharing it immediately with all of my fellow cyclists, especially the ladies :)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 123 reviews