Imagine battling through a brutal, storm-strafed, 600-kilometre multiday off-road endurance race, and finishing with a victory… only to have your precious steed stolen before you even get back to your hotel. That’s exactly what happened to Justyna Jarczok this Easter weekend.
An ultra-cyclist visiting the UK from Poland to take part in a bikepacking event, Jarczok had her bike stolen just hours after winning The Dales Divide as the first woman. As she was cycling back to her accommodation in Leeds, having literally just left the race finish and caught the train back to the city, Jarczok paused for provisions at BP petrol station, briefly leaving her bike outside.
