September 12, 1994, Amy Regan sets the first women's 24 hour mtb world record! On a loop course in Maine, pro mountain biker Amy Regan gained 14,000 feet of elevation over a 24 hour period, while setting a world record of 283 miles in 24 hours. She nearly reached the men's record, which, although on a different course, was only 4 miles further than Regan's ride.

Regan began racing road cycling in 1988, winning nearly every road race in an amatuer category. She turned pro, riding for Litespeed, and won the famous Mt. Washington Hillclimb in the womens division and that same year, set a new women's course record in the NH short time trial under the USCF. Though Regan performed well in short races, she preferred longer, more extreme races that were gaining in popularity during that time. She set a womens NH state time/distance record (UMCA), bypassing the men's record by riding 258 miles with an average speed of just under 20 miles per hour for a continuous 13 hours over the hilly terrain of New England. It still stands today.

Regan then won several 24 hour races with her best being 375 miles over the mountainous terrain of the Adirondacks, racing in snow, sleet, and overnight temperatures of 28 degrees. She won the RAAM Open East in 1991, qualifying for RAAM 1992.

After racing the RAAM, Regan took a much needed break and switched to mountain bike racing in 1993, riding for Kona Mountain Bikes. She took a third place amongst well known professional racers in a National Championship Series race at Mount Snow Vermont during her first year, and then focused on extreme events.

Though there were several men's 24 hour records on the books, a record in the womens catagory did not exist. Regan's first attempt at a record was fraught with difficulties and illness. She finished with a respectable 232 miles in 24 hours, but left the race course by ambulance. Depleted of electrolites and potassium, Regan spent the next 6 hours in the hospital.

She made another attempt three months later, knowing that the first one fell far short of her abilities. Although she had to deal with the reconstruction of a major section of trail along her 15 miles circuit, which meant walking/pushing the bike through nearly a half mile of unrideable sand and rocks on each loop, she passed her original record by over 50 miles, ending up with a record that still stands today.

Regan went on to win the solo division of the 24 Hours of Moab (Utah) in 1997 and 1998 and took a bronze medal in the Worlds 24 Hour Solo Race, Alberta, Canada.

Amy Regan "happily" retired from pro racing in 2000, though she still rides four or five days a week. She says it is, "All for fun!", and loves sharing the joy of cycling with friends, riding with her dogs, and teaching her mountain bike skills clinics.