A British cyclist has set a new Guinness record for the fastest round-the-world trip by bicycle, finishing his journey in just 78 days, 14 hours and 40 minutes. Mark Beaumont travelled about 28,968 kilometres across 16 different countries. During his first 29 days, he broke a record for the farthest distance cycled in one month: 11,315.29 kilometres..Guinness World Records adjudicator Anna Orford presented Beaumont with his official certificate, announcing that the cyclist had broken the record for the fastest circumnavigation by bicycle (male) by an incredible 43 days.
The long-distance athlete set off in Paris on July 2, before cycling through Europe, Russia and China – the first stage of his journey – and then moving on to reach Western Australia on 31 July.”This was a fantastic milestone to achieve during the challenge of getting around the world in eighty days. I hope it is used as a marker for other cyclists to go and smash in the near future,” Beaumont said.He endured sub-zero temperatures during winter in Australia and New Zealand, and risked being caught up in secondary storms of Hurricane Irma as he travelled through the US, according to the Guinness World Records. “This has been, without doubt, the most punishing challenge I have ever put my body and mind through,” he said.
“The physical and mental stamina required for each day was a challenge in itself, but I had an amazing support team around me,” he added. The previous record was held by Andrew Nicholson from New Zealand, who achieved a time of 123 days and 43 minutes. His journey started and ended at Auckland International Airport, New Zealand, on December 13 in 2015.The Fastest circumnavigation by bicycle (female) title is held by Italy’s Paola Gianotti, who cycled around the world in 144 days in 2014, covering a distance of 29,595 kilometres.
