In the famous novel by Jules Verne, the Briton Phileas Fogg made a bet with his colleagues at the Reform Club in London that he could travel around the world in 80 days. To do so, he used trains, ships, an elephant, a steamboat, and even a sled.
Almost 150 years after the publication of the novel in 1872, another Briton has managed to break a world record, but this time with a more sustainable and demanding means of transport: the bicycle.
The cyclist Mark Beaumont began his challenge on July 2, 2017 from Paris with the goal of cycling around the world in 80 days. His journey included Europe, Asia, Australia, and North America, crossing different terrains and climates that tested his endurance. However, Beaumont not only achieved his goal, but he also beat the expected time, completing the 30,000 kilometers in 78 days, 14 hours, and 40 minutes.
To achieve this, he cycled 16 hours a day, demonstrating exceptional physical and mental ability. This achievement made him the new world record holder, surpassing the mark of New Zealander Andrew Nicholson, who in 2015 completed the round-the-world trip by bicycle in 123 days.
During his journey, Beaumont faced all kinds of conditions, from ideal paved roads for road bikes to demanding routes and rough paths where mountain bikes they would have been more suitable. His feat is a testament to the incredible potential of long-distance cycling and how proper preparation and the right choice of equipment can make a difference in an adventure of this magnitude. 🚴♂️🌍