8,139 km! Mexican woman breaks record for longest bicycle route

Andrea Dorantes traveled through more than 8 European countries by bicycle in three months

By Regina Zúñiga | León Campus - 12/13/2024 Photo Courtesy of the interviewee

Andrea Dorantes, a graduate of PrepaTec’s León campus, has become one of only ten women in the world to cross the whole of Europe by bicycle, breaking the record for the longest recorded route.

After having climbed the seven highest peaks in the world, Andrea decided she needed a new challenge, which is what led her to cross Europe by bicycle.

Andrea’s journey began in northern Norway at Grense Jakobselv and ended 89 days later in southern Portugal at Cabo San Vicente.

“It’s a big challenge because you’re on your own for three months and you have to be sure that, whatever you face, you can get through it,” Andrea said.

Andrea Dorantes disfrutando del camino — Andrea Dorantes cycling across Europe. Photo: Courtesy of the interviewee

Traveling across Europe

Initially, Andrea had planned to cycle the European Divide Trail, which is an existing 7,601 km route that is considered the longest dirt road in the world.

However, she decided to change the route on the way and ended up traveling 8,139 km.

“The initial route took me through southern Spain and southern Portugal. Instead, I decided to go through the north of Spain and then down the coast,” said Andrea.

Her journey began where the border between Norway and Russia meets the Arctic Ocean.

Andrea arrived in Helsinki, Finland, from where she traveled 60 km north to begin the official route.

The route took her through nine countries over the course of 89 days.

Starting with Norway, Finland, and Sweden, she then traveled through Denmark, Germany, Switzerland, and France, and finally ended up in Spain and Portugal.

Andrea Dorantes en su trayecto por Europa en bicicleta — Andrea Dorantes in Southern Europe. Photo: Courtesy of the interviewee

Crossing through hurricanes

Andrea mentioned that her biggest challenge was the weather, as she had to go through the path of Hurricane Milton when she was crossing the coast of Portugal.

“The wind, the rain, and the waves caused by the hurricane were some of the most difficult challenges I had to face,” said Andrea.

“The Andrea needed to climb the seven highest peaks wasn’t the same as the Andrea needed to cycle across Europe"

Andrea remarked that there wasn’t much civilization in the northern part of Europe, so she had to pack food for several days.

“I had to buy a lot of food because I spent days without visiting any towns,” Andrea said.

Along the way, she not only faced those challenges, but also situations such as having to cross rivers with her bike and all her luggage, getting lost, and crossing muddy terrain, to name but a few.

Andrea stressed that she wanted to discover a new side of herself through this new challenge.

“The Andrea needed to climb the seven highest peaks wasn’t the same as the Andrea needed to ski to the South Pole, or the Andrea needed to cycle across Europe,” said Andrea.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C_4DbDROPjT/

A frozen adventure

In 2025, Andrea plans to have another adventure and to undertake a 1,130 km expedition alone and without support in Antarctica.

“You’re alone in Antarctica for 55-60 days, without talking to anyone, without seeing anyone, in the remotest and coldest place in the world,” Andrea said.

In the coming months, Andrea will train in northern Norway and cross Greenland to prepare for this feat.