Adventurer Mark Beaumont led cyclists out of St Andrews on the next leg of the Countrywide Great Tour.
The Perthshire cycling champion joined James Dowling, Alistair Cope and his son James, who are completing the whole of the charity challenge, circumnavigating all 4,163 miles of Britain’s coastline over 64 days.
The trio have been joined by others along the route, with around 30 cyclists making the journey from the Old Course Hotel to Musselburgh on day 26 yesterday.
Supporting charities including Macmillan Cancer Support, Anthony Nolan and the Alzheimer’s Society, the event set off from Holyhead in Wales on July 4 and will finish there on September 5.
The 70-mile leg was an easy ride for Mr Beaumont, 32, who held the world record for cycling around the globe, taking 194 days and 17 hours to cycle 18,296 miles. He said: “I have cycled across more than 60 countries yet have explored remarkably little of Britain by bicycle, so was immediately attracted to the concept of pedalling the coastline.
“While I can only complete a few stages this year, I certainly plan to come back and complete more of the Countrywide Great Tour in years to come.”
Having started endurance riding at the age of 12, Mr Beaumont can cover 200 miles a day. He had words of encouragement for other, less experienced cyclists considering taking part in next year’s Countrywide Great Tour.
“Sixty-four days for the very undulating coastline of Britain is a serious undertaking and it would be well advised to take on a series of smaller challenges to build up experience, so joining for a few stages of this year’s tour would be a good idea. And for those wondering if they are capable of a mammoth 4,200 miles, just imagine that accolade, more than the coast-to-coast of America and an incredible lifetime goal.
“Endurance riding is all about comfort zones, and so the great part is that almost anyone can physically cover these distances, with support from the team and enough willpower.
“So whether taking on a single day, a week or a couple of months on the road, you will experience highs and lows, and the joy of seeing the world at the speed of a bike.”