Mark Beaumont has completed yet another cycling challenge by riding the new 185-mile long Hebridean Way Cycling Route in just 24 hours.
Beaumont completed the challenge to mark the opening of the new route from Vatersay in the south to the Butt of Lewis in the north, spanning ten islands, six causeways and involving two rib crossings, provided courtesy of Uist Sea Tours.
The adventurer, who has broken records cycling around the world and along the length of Africa, was invited to take on the challenge to help promote the new route ahead of the 2016 tourist season.
Mark Beaumont rides 500 miles on “Scotland’s Route 66” – in less than 38 hours
Beaumont told the Scotsman the experience, which was filmed start to finish, was “unforgettable”. He said: “What struck me most is the amazing immediacy of the landscape, which changes from island to island.
“The scenery is stunning, and you’d miss so much of it dashing along in a car.
“This has to be the best part of Scotland, and cycling has to be the best way to see these fantastic islands. The roads are perfect for cycling – quiet and safe.
“So many communities, schoolchildren and cyclists turned out to wish me well on my journey, and I’m sure I’ll be back again with my bike to soak up more of this unique Hebridean landscape and hospitality.”
@kieranjduncan pic.twitter.com/8lwE15aGHn
— Mark Beaumont (@MrMarkBeaumont) March 11, 2016
Outer Hebrides Tourism’s Ian Fordham said: “Cycling is an increasingly popular sport these days, and we have seen more and more people wanting to explore our islands on two wheels.
“We’re delighted Mark accepted our challenge to cycle The Hebridean Way Cycling Route in 24 hours and help to put the route on the cycling map.
“It has to be one ofScotland’s most scenic cycling routes, and we know that visitors will be as impressed as Mark was with the changing landscapes from one island to the next.”
WATCH:Cyclist Mark Beaumont has launched a new cycling route in the Outer Hebrides which is hoped will boost tourism pic.twitter.com/ijB8Q9u1NA
— STV News (@STVNews) March 11, 2016
Last year Beaumont rode 500 miles of Scotland’s “route 66” in less than 38 hours, one of a series of Scottish challenges the adventurer has taken on in recent months.
Footage of his latest challenge is available on social media using the hashtag #HebWay.
The end of the road! 185 miles, 10 islands, 6 causeways, 2 ferry crossings! #hebway @OuterHebs @kieranjduncan pic.twitter.com/FSrLJ4Vks3
— Mark Beaumont (@MrMarkBeaumont) March 11, 2016
Clarification – ferries are available on the sections of the Hebridean Way not linked by causeway. Beaumont used the ribs to aid his 24 hour attempt.

11 thoughts on “Mark Beaumont rides 185 mile Hebridean Way in 24h”
Firstly, where is the Strava
Firstly, where is the Strava segment?
Secondly, if you need to hire a private boat the complete the route, how is it a single cycle route? It isn’t possible to follow what he did. Swizz.
I agree to an extent yeah,
I agree to an extent yeah, but he’s still a unit. Hat off to the bloke
I think he only needed the
I think he only needed the private boat as it was an attempt to complete the route in 24hrs so public ferries would either have caused delays or times needed were not timetabled.
And it’s a “single” route that passes across a number of islands.
My family lives on Harris,
My family lives on Harris, there are ferrys for each of the crossings he did by rib. He just used the rib to do it in 24 hours.
Yes there are ferries – we
Yes there are ferries – we perhaps should have made that clearer. Woodstock555 is correct, the ribs were just for the 24hr attempt, not intended for tourists. Here’s a link to his tracker http://markbeaumontonline.com/journal/tracker/
Looks like if you catch the
Looks like if you catch the first ferry at 7:00am, you have about 5 hours to cover 112km (doable) to get to the next ferry check in (with a backup time after that) crossing at 13:30 -14:30. Riding on to the top of Lewis/Harris.
https://www.calmac.co.uk/barra-eriskay-ferry-summer-timetable
https://www.strava.com/routes/4348623
https://www.calmac.co.uk/berneray-leverburgh-northuist-harris-ferry-summer-timetable
I am not sure why it took 24 hours when he had private boats. Possibly the weather wasn’t in his favour. But I think even I could manage this with public ferries.
In summer there is about 18hours of daylight and lots of twilight.
Oh Lord, I’ve spent far too much time thinking about this now!
Did you end up doing it?!
Anyone have the full strava link?
112 miles in 5 hours? Average
112 miles in 5 hours? Average speed 22.5 mph? On a route that is likely not flat? Doesn’t sound very doable to me.
Leviathans post mentioned
Leviathans post mentioned 112km, not miles, if that’s what you’re referring to?
fukawitribe wrote:
Looks like my mistake. 112km is very doable.
wycombewheeler wrote:
Click on the Stravarous link, its quite low lying on Uist, and it is kms. Yes you are doing it now….