Mark Beaumont, who earlier this year set a new world record for the quickest journey by bicycle from Cairo to Cape Town, has finished his latest adventure, and it’s one that’s closer to home – a journey of more than 500 miles in the Scottish Highlands, completed in less than 40 hours.
The adventurer, who comes from Glenalmond in Perthshire, is a former holder of the round-the-world record and has also ridden the lengths of the Andes, but his latest ride is the longest time he has ever spent in the saddle without a break.
– Mark Beaumont smashes Cairo to Cape Town record
He set off from Inverness Castle at 6am on Monday morning on the anti-clockwise North Coast 500 route, which took him through the spectacular scenery of Wester Ross, Sutherland, Caithness, Easter Ross and the Black Isle before finishing back in the Highland capital.
Congratulations @MrMarkBeaumont! Amazing effort! Great to see a crowd in Inverness to welcome you back! #NC500 pic.twitter.com/zXI1kjyv4h
— North Coast 500 (@NorthCoast500) August 11, 2015
In all, Beaumont rode 516 miles in 37 hours 58 minutes, for an average speed of 13.6 miles an hour – an impressive enough achievement in the best of conditions, but as this tweet shows, Beaumont also had to cope with the worst that a Scottish summer could throw at him.
And just to give you an indication of the weather @MrMarkBeaumont has been riding in! pic.twitter.com/8puXnz8bsk
— Mark Canning (@mark_canning) August 10, 2015
Devised by VisitScotland and launched earlier this year, the North Coast 500 is pitched as the country’s answer to the iconic Route 66 in the US.
Here is the link to follow the #NC500 starting 6am tomorrow http://t.co/sOVe38T44Z @NorthCoast500 @VisitScotland pic.twitter.com/F8ysB8lea7
— Mark Beaumont (@MrMarkBeaumont) August 9, 2015
When it was unveiled in March, Mike Cantlay, chairman of VisitScotland, said: “From our enchanting wildlife and countless historic attractions, to magnificent mountains, dramatic lochs and sandy beaches, the Highlands is a true touring paradise.
“There really is nothing quite like the open road, and whether by car, motorbike or bicycle, this particular route really does take in some of the most picturesque parts of our beautiful country.
“People travel from all over the world for Route 66, and with our scenery, there’s no reason why the North Coast 500 can’t prove to be just as popular.
“You never know, at the end of the 500 miles, visitors might just be tempted explore 500 more.”
As for that record of 42 days set earlier this year for traversing the African continent from north to south, Beaumont’s efforts have already inspired a fresh attempt on it later this year.
In October, a seven man team including Tour of Wessex organiser Nick Bourne and Chris Froome’s mentor, the Kenyan rider David Kinjah, will aim to reduce it to 34 days – but they will have the advantage of riding it as a team time trial, whereas Beaumont rode solo and unsupported.
12 thoughts on “Mark Beaumont rides 500 miles on “Scotland’s Route 66” – in less than 38 hours”
Legend.
Legend.
so……………….zero
so……………….zero funding for anything bike related on this 500mile route then, its just one Visit Scotland “spend your tourist buck here” promo?
and am assuming given his kit he’s decked out in, Mark B. got paid to do this also?
perhaps he should spend 37hours 58mins riding round the cycling infrastructure of Inverness or Glasgow at peak times and understand thats where the money needs to spent……
perhaps these now famous scottish cyclists should start to speak out about this subject – or perhaps most of them do not do most of their riding here, nor do they need to do the 9-5 commute on their bikes.
It’s a pity he didn’t do a 37
It’s a pity he didn’t do a 37 hours 58 minutes tour of the shit roads all across Central Scotland that are a cyclist’s nightmare. That way it may have drawn some attention to the not fit for purpose roads we have to put up with – and shamed the councils responsible into doing something about them.
Jacobi wrote:It’s a pity he
I think that’s a good idea. Now he’s famous and respected, he could – as Boardman has – put that fame to good use.
All we need now is for Kim Kardashian to start posting cycling selfies…
I don’t think Mark Beaumont
I don’t think Mark Beaumont flew in from Monte Carlo for the trip. He appears to live and train in Perthshire and I’ve seen him at least once this year on his bike in Perth at ‘rush’ hour. Why the negativity about Visit Scotland trying to pull in some cycle tourism?
To the miserable gits up
To the miserable gits up thread, I’d like to see you ride this distance in any where near the same time as MB did. Lighten up and give the guy his dews. He has probably done a lot more for cycling than you will ever achieve.
As far as I can see
As far as I can see VisitScotland and Mark Beaumont aren’t responsible for the shit roads and pish cycle lanes in the Central Belt.
Honestly, some people tie themselves in knots of indignation…
money being spent not on
money being spent not on cycling , but promoting cycling should therefore be judged on its merits as whether it should be spent on that, or actually on other things that would make cycling easier for everyone – therefore the above comments by all above, i feel are valid and worthwhile.
lets say Visit Scotlands budget is 10million, and they spend 500,000 of that on promoting cycling in scotland, could that 500,000 be spent on day to day infrastructure to benefit all of us who cycle – with the knock on effect that would also benefit tourists too.
a_to_the_j wrote:money being
Miserable git.
> therefore the above
> therefore the above comments by all above, i feel are valid and worthwhile.
swivel eyed loon think that comments by other swivel eyed loons (of which they are 1/3) are “valid and worthwile” shocker… Not even sure it’s worth pointing out how potty your second “point” is…
Jeez how can anyone bitch
Jeez how can anyone bitch about this ? Trying to get people cycle more in Scotland should be applauded. Will plan to ride a sportive up there I think next year.
If I recall correctly, in the
If I recall correctly, in the movie “Vento”, about the Italian Po long-distance cycle route, it was stated that the German cyclotourism market is 0.5% of that country’s GDP. That’s because the Germans have invested in quality infrastructure. So with the right investment, and a change in attitudes to cycling, there’s a massive economic opportunity here for Scotland.