Friday, February 19, 2010

  First to cycle the length of the Americas - Mark Beaumont sets world record

  USHUAIA, Argentina -- After 13,080 miles, 268 days and 12 countries, cyclist Mark Beaumont finishes epic trip from Alaska to the southern tip of Argentina , setting the world record for the First to cycle the length of the Americas.

   (enlarge photo)

   It is the first time anyone has both cycled the journey and climbed the two mountains on the same trip. The 13,080-mile journey across 12 countries took 268 days to complete.

   Mark Beaumont reached Ushuaia in Tierra del Fuego in a journey that took him to the top of the highest peaks in both North and South America.
  
   The 27-year-old from Bridge of Cally, Perthshire, described himself as "ecstatic" to have completed the momentous feat.

   As well as cycling the length of the continent, Mark scaled the two highest mountains in North and South America.

   Speaking at the finish, he said: "I was pretty emotional when I got here and I feel pretty tired. I have run the batteries low. "I have beaten the odds on many accounts. "It's an incredible relief. Plus, it was a beautiful place to finish.
    "I looked across the bay to Ushuaia, the most southernly city in the Americas, and saw reflections of mountains on the water."

    "I have been wanting to do this for years. To have achieved it all, got here on time and to fulfill that dream, it's fantastic."

   Mark is the first person to climb the two highest mountains in the Americas and cycle between them in a single season. He began his epic journey in Alaska on May 29, 2009, where he climbed 20,000ft Mount McKinley.

    Since then, he has visited 12 countries and climbed 23,000ft Aconcagua in Argentina, the highest mountain in the southern hemisphere.

   In 2008, Mark broke the Guinness world record for the fastest cycle ride around the world after circling the globe in 194 days and 17 hours.

   His mother Una Beaumont, who acted as his trip co-ordinator, said there would be a big family celebration when he returned.

   The first part of The Man Who Cycled The Americas will be shown on Tuesday, March 23, at 10.35pm on BBC1.

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   Related world records:
   Fastest cyclist to cross Southern Australia-Guido Kunze sets world record

   Fastest to cycle the Pan-American Highway-Scott Napier sets world record

   Longest journey on mini-bikes-world record set by
Ryan Galbraith and Chris Stinson  

   Fastest cyclist to circle the globe-world record set by James Bowthorpe

   Bicycling across Canada-world record set by Cornel Dobrin

   Friday, February 19, 2010