Scotmid Co-operative brand ambassador and cycling star Mark Beaumont, best known for cycling around the world in 194 days in 2008, will take ultra-endurance to another level by circumnavigating the globe in less than half that time.
Beaumont, who will be the figurehead for Scotmid’s exciting new community initiative set to be piloted in the North region shortly, 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.
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’?”
“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.
Everybody associated with Scotmid Co-operative would like to wish Mark all the best as he embarks on this unforgettable journey.
Continuing on the topic of cycling and Scotmid Co-operative members of staff will be cycling from Whitehaven to Tynemouth – a Coast to Coast cycle – in mid-May in order to raise funds for charity partner, Childline – keep an eye out on our official Twitter, @scotmid for more details in due course.