1 April 2011 Last updated at 13:20

In pictures: Rutland adventurer Sarah Outen

Sarah Outen sets off from Tower Bridge, London on 1 April 2011

Rutland record-breaker Sarah Outen has set off on her latest adventure; a 20,000-mile expedition around the globe by bike, kayak and rowing boat. The challenge, ‘London2London: via the World’, is expected to take two-and-a-half years to complete.

The 25-year-old was born in Germany, but has lived in Rutland since 1996. Her mother Helen said Sarah had always had an adventurous spirit. "As a little one she didn't last long at ballet. Sarah loved the outdoors and was always making camps in the garden and sleeping out," she said.

Sarah joined the Combined Cadet Force at Stamford School and won an Army scholarship to university. However in her first term she tore a knee ligament which barred her from joining the military.

Sarah rowed throughout her time as a biology student at Oxford University, forming part of the St Hugh's women's team and captaining them for a year. On graduating in 2007 she was part the crew which supported Geoff Holt when he became the first quadriplegic to sail around Britain.

Sarah Outen at the end of her Indian Ocean row

In 2009, at the age of 23, Sarah broke three world records when she became the first woman and youngest person to row solo across the Indian Ocean. At the end of her 124-mile journey from Australia to Mauritius her boat was capsized by crashing waves. Sarah said she felt lucky to survive.

Sarah dedicated her Indian Ocean expedition to her father, Derek, who died suddenly in 2006, having battled rheumatoid arthritis for nearly 20 years.

Her older brother Mike said: "When Sarah stood up at our father’s funeral and announced her dream of taking on the Indian Ocean solo, I was fairly shocked and surprised. Although through her school and university days she was very active and sporty, I always believed she would settle into a well-paid biology career."

Sarah is a Fellow of the Royal Geographic Society and last year was appointed an ambassador for The Blue Project, which promotes healthy living in a clean environment.

Children from Whissendine Primary School wish Sarah Outen luck at Tower Bridge, on 1 April 2011

She is keen to share her experiences with schools across the world, focusing her stories on science and geography subjects. Throughout the trip she will keep an educational blog and answer questions from curious children.

Sarah Outen and her mother Helen before setting off from London, on 1 April 2011

Sarah has been training hard for her round-the-world adventure, supported all the way by her logistical team, friends and family. Her mother said: "Sarah is a wonderful daughter, who never ceases to amaze me with all her energy and exploits."

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In pictures: Rutland adventurer Sarah Outen

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