Scottish cyclist Mark Beaumont sets new Guinness World Record title and reveals how years of training in his home country inspired him.
Great Scot and ultra-endurance athlete, Mark Beaumont, has set a new Guinness World Record title, taking one third off the current world record (123) days for the fastest circumnavigation by bicycle, completing the challenge in under 80 days on the Artemis World Cycle. As if that wasn’t enough, en route, he also shattered the world record for the most miles cycled in a month. True #ScotSpirit!
As Mark returns home to Edinburgh today, he credits the years of training in Scotland, ‘this wonderful wilderness’, from the tender age of 12, as inspiration for this epic challenge. Before setting out on the 80-day challenge, Mark did a final practice ride across Scotland. Argyll to Aberdeen, coast to coast, the ride was 240 miles and took 16 hours…the distance Mark cycled each day for 80 days during the Artemis World Cycle!
Fancy trying the Scotland route yourself? Or even a portion of it? Here are some of the highlights!
Rest and be Thankful, Argyll
Rest and be Thankful divides Glen Kinglas from Glen Coe, the highest point on the A83. From the viewpoint of this famous beauty spot you can see the old valley road, engineered by General Wade during the subjection of Scotland following the Jacobite rebellion. It’s at the junction between the B828 and A83 where you can spy the words ‘REST & BE THANKFUL’ inscribed on a stone by the soldiers who built the road.
Kenmore, Perthshire
Kenmore is a beautiful village at the northern end of the 14-mile long Loch Tay. Idyllic for cycling as well as sailing, canoeing and fishing. The main attraction is the Scottish Crannog Centre, one of the country’s top heritage sites where you can discover what life was like over 2500 years ago! This reconstructed thatched wooden house is built on stilts over the water, with a gangway that would have been lifted up in the event of danger.
Braemar, Aberdeenshire
Surrounded by the fine Grampian Mountains and woodland scenery, Braemar is a haven for cyclists, climbers and wanderers. There are no less than 24 Munros (mountains over 3000 ft high) as well as over 65 miles of cycle routes and high level walks of varying length and difficulty. The ancient village of Braemar is home to Braemar Castle and the world-famous annual Braemar Gathering and Highland Games.
