Around the world in 80 days – by bike

Mark Beaumont, the cyclist who pedalled around the world in 194 days in 2008, is today touring TV studios instead. Why? Because he plans to circumnavigate the globe in a Jules-Verne-esque 80 days. To manage this he will have to cycle for 240 miles each day.

He will be attempting to travel 18,000 miles around the world, starting from Paris on Sunday 2nd July. As a warm up he will first cycle around the coastline of Britain, starting tomorrow.

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.

Beaumont said: “This is the culmination of the past two decades, since I was a 12-year-old boy cycling across Scotland. 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’?”

Beaumont has secured international sponsorship from brands including Artemis Investment Management, LDC, VisitScotland, Koga, 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. The ride is called the Artemis World Cycle.

To succeed in his record attempt, Beaumont will need to be fuelled with over 8,000 calories every day, all supplied by Wiggle. In addition, Wiggle has supplied Beaumont and his challenge team with duffel bags, sleeping gear and 484 energy bars.

Wiggle Head of Brand Jo Taylor said: ”We are delighted to be working with Mark on his exciting, ultra-endurance record attempt and kitting him and his team out.

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