OK, he’s likely to be sticking to the roads as much as possible to keep his speed up, but since Mark Beaumont has a sound adventure cycling palmares behind him we thought we’d tell you about his latest plans. Perhaps best known for cycling around the world in 194 days in 2008, he will be taking things up a notch by attempting to circumnavigate the globe in less than half that time.
Beaumont will be attempting to travel 18,000 miles around the world, starting from Paris on Sunday 2 July. As a warm up to the Artemis World Cycle, he will first cycle around the coastline of Britain, leaving on 4th April. The 3,500 miles, 15-day training ride will be at ’80 days’ pace, with Beaumont cycling for 16 hours and 240 miles per day.
Will he be passing by your house? Do you fancy trying to stay on his wheel for a bit of his ride? He’ll be going for an average speed on 15mph – not too bad for a Sunday ride with cafe stop, or even a long day in the saddle, but how about day 2, or 3…let’s hope he’s got some good chamois cream.
As part of his mission to travel around the world in 80 days, breaking the current world record of 123 days, set by New Zealand’s Andrew Nicholson, the Scottish adventurer is raising funds for Orkidstudio, which works to benefit communities worldwide through innovative architecture and construction. The journey will also be tracked through Twinkl, a global educational platform for primary schools.
“This is the culmination of the past two decades, since I was a 12-year-old boy cycling across Scotland,” says Beaumont. “I would love for this journey to give people the confidence to take on what they are capable of, for young people in particular to stop and to think ‘what’s my 80 days’?”
Credit: Nathalie Agnew (Muckle Media)
“I want to redefine the limits of human endurance by proving what seems impossible really is possible. After capsizing in the Atlantic, I gave up being an athlete for a couple of years, and enjoyed making documentaries about other athletes – but in truth I had unfinished business, I couldn’t idly watch others push their limits. I am excited and nervous about what lies ahead, it truly is unchartered territory.”
While cycling around the coastline of Britain, Beaumont is expected to drink between eight and ten litres of water per day (the average person drinks two litres) and consume 8,000kcal. Members of the public are encouraged to turn out to support him as he visits towns and cities across the country.
By the looks of the world map plan, Mark will be taking the same route as the Indian Pacific Wheel Race. We’re sure that will be an emotional ride for Mark.
So very saddened to hear about loss of @Normally_Human – a quietly inspirational man & phenomenal endurance rider https://t.co/Jxh0narWXz
— Mark Beaumont (@MrMarkBeaumont) March 31, 2017
Beaumont has also secured international sponsorship from brands including Artemis Investment Management, LDC, VisitScotland, Koga, Casio, Moonsport, Altura, Panaracer, Wiggle, Cardtronics, Tunnocks, The Hunter Foundation, John Clark Motor Group, Scot Motor Home Hire, 80 DAYS Digital, Muckle Media, Menzies Aviation, Thorntons Law LLP and Edinburgh Airport to help support his journey.