Around The World In 78 Days: Mark Beaumont Smashes 80 Day Target

Around the world adventurer Mark Beaumont has completed his epic global cycling challenge, the Brit achieving the goal in 78 days, 14 hours & 40 minutes.

Setting out from Paris on July 2 with the goal of cycling around the world in 80 days, Beaumont rolled back into Paris after covering the 29,019 kms – a day and a half within his time limit. He rode through16 countries and broke two official Guinness World Records along the way.

Beaumont told waiting media his round the world challenge had been “the most punishing challenge I have ever put my body and mind through.”

Beaumont accepting two Guinness World Records after arriving in Paris. Image: Mark Beaumont. — Adventurer Mark Beaumont was clearly victorious after arriving in Paris. Image: Mark Beaumont.

“The physical and mental stamina required for each day was a challenge in itself,” he told the BBC.

“But I had an amazing support team around me. The success of cycling around the world in 80 days shows what seemed impossible is possible, and has redefined the limits of endurance sport.”

‘Sleep Deprivation The Hardest Part’

Beaumont went on to thank all supporters, support staff and sponsors of his journey.

“There were obviously moments in time when I wondered if the race would carry on,” he said.

“On day 9 in Russia I had a really serious crash which nearly ended the whole trip – I broke a tooth and badly damaged my elbow. I’ve had two more crashes on my way around. I think the thing that was probably hardest was the sleep deprivation – after weeks and weeks and weeks it’s the long hard hours you spend in your head, really battling. You just need to decide you’re never going to stop the wheels turning. Once you take that option off the table you just ride.”

Never Alone

Asked about the factor that helped him through the hardest moments of the arduous journey, Beaumont immediately reflected upon the support of his family.

Finally There: Mark Beaumont celebrates the finish of his epic adventure at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. Image: Mark Beaumont.

“I’ve got my beautiful wife and two kids,” he said. “They were a constant source of strength. I also had a support team with me. Having them out there I never felt alone. They were a massive rock of support the whole way around, a on top of that the global support in terms of the public … all the way from Australia onwards I was blown away by the level of public support.”

During the course of his journey Beaumont and supporters helped raise awareness along with more than $70,000AU for a number of charity organisations. He broke two Guinness World Records, ‘Most Miles Cycled’ in a Month – 11315km/7031ml from Paris to outside Perth Australia, and ‘Fastest Circumnavigation of the World By Bicycle’