ULTRA-endurance cyclist Mark Beaumont said he felt elation and “utter relief” after obliterating the record for travelling around the world on a bike.
The adventurer set off from France in July on a mission to circumnavigate the globe in 80 days and arrived back in Paris on day 79 of the journey, 24 hours ahead of schedule.
The Scot is awaiting official verification that he has a new Guinness World Records title but it is expected to be confirmed that he has succeeded in knocking 44 days – one-third – off the previous record of 123 days.
Edinburgh-based Beaumont, 34, completed the epic 18,000-mile Artemis World Cycle challenge despite three serious falls off his bike and facing conditions such as fierce head winds, sub-zero temperatures and forest fire smog.
He put his success down to “grit, the ability to suffer” and declared: “This has been, without doubt, the most punishing challenge I have ever put my body and mind through.”
On completing the expedition, Beaumont said: “I guess the biggest emotion is relief, utter relief.
“This has been years in the planning.
“Since I was a 12-year-old kid who pedalled across Scotland, the ambitions have got bigger over the last two decades.
“For me, this was the ultimate. So [I feel] relief, elation. It’s just wonderful to see my beautiful wife and two daughters who have supported me brilliantly through this. I definitely owe them a bit of time now.”
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