Product Description

On 15 February 2008, Mark Beaumont pedalled through the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. 194 days and 17 hours previously, he had set off from Paris in an attempt to circumnavigate the world in record time. Mark smashed the Guinness World Record by an astonishing 81 days. He had travelled more than 18,000 miles on his own through some of the harshest conditions one man and his bicycle can endure, camping wild at night and suffering from constant ailments. The Man Who Cycled the World is the story not just of that amazing achievement, but of the events that turned Mark Beaumont into the man he is today. From the early years of his free-spirited childhood in the Scottish countryside, he had been determined to break records, cycling across Scotland and then from John O'Groats to Land's End by the age of fifteen, raising thousands of pounds for charity. After leaving university, he had been equally determined not to settle for an average existence, but to break free and see the world from a saddle, to follow his dreams. This is the tale not just of one of the last great circumnavigation world records, and of the incredible endurance it took to accomplish it, but an insight into many of the world's cultures from a unique perspective. From Paris to Istanbul, through Turkey, Iran, Pakistan, India and south-east Asia to Singapore, then across Australia, New Zealand and the United States before the final legs in Europe, all at hundred miles a day, this is the story of a quite remarkable adventure, by a quite remarkable man.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #868 in Books
• Published on: 2009-05-22
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 432 pages

About the Author
Mark Beaumont was born on New Year's Day 1983 and grew up in the foothills of the Scottish Highlands, where his parents ran an organic smallholding. When he was twelve, he cycled across Scotland from Dundee to Oban, then a few years later, while still at school, completed the 1,000 mile solo ride across Britain from John O'Groats to Land's End. His next long-distance ride took him the length of Italy from Sicily to the Alps, a journey of 1,336 miles, helping to raise GBP50,000 for charity. After graduating from Glasgow University, and having also qualified as a professional ski instructor, he decided against a conventional career and devoted himself full-time to raising money for his endurance cycling adventures. Visit his website at www.markbeaumontonline.com

Customer Reviews

Couldn`t put it down!
This is an amazing book about a remarkable journey and so well written by the author himself who had never before this written more than a university essay.The BBC documentry, though good, only scraped the surface of the race around the world. The book has it all. Cann`t recommend it highly enough.

The Man that Cycled the World
This was an excellent read for anyone involved in cycling or hoping to visit any of the countries on this route. While clearly from a cycalists perspective it gives good solid information on travelling around the globe. For those involved in sports science....this is awsome, with a wealth of information which is both interesting and thought provoking.

The book follows a linier diary format I just could not put it down, much to others annoyance. The honnest style and astute observations made by the author in no way distracts from the physical and psychological battles fought during his journey. This is a good read, highly recomended and not just for cycalists. All endurance athletes will immediately identify with this riders focus and outstanding achievement.

Awe inspiring stuff
I followed Mark's adventure even before he left Paris and tracked him daily once he was on the road. I read the blog with a growing obsession and was even in Paris for the finish. So I felt fairly familiar with the story but really I had no idea just how mind and body shatteringly tough this journey was. At times it was so gripping that I had to put it down and make a cup of tea - I was exhausted! I laughed out loud in several places and had tears in my eyes at others. I was particularly impressed with how well it is written as it is essentially a diary and talking us through 195 days on a bike could have been a bit monotonous. It is a brilliant story, well told and I look forward to reading the next one!! Well done Mark (for both the inspiring adventure and the awesome book).