The inspiring story of one young man's record-breaking solo cycle journey around the world On 15 February 2008 Mark Beaumont pedalled through the Arc de Triomphe in Paris 194 days & 17 hours previously he had begun his attempt to circumnavigate the world in record time Mark smashed the Guinness World Record by an astonishing 81 days He had travelled more than 18000 miles on his own through some of the harshest conditions one man & his bicycle can endure camping wild at night & suffering from constant ailments The Man Who Cycled the World is the story not just of that amazing achievement but of the events that turned Mark Beaumont into the man he is today From the early years of his free-spirited childhood in the Scottish countryside to present day he has been equally determined not to settle for an average existence but to break free & follow his dreams Mark Beaumont grew up in the foothills of the Scottish Highlands When he was twelve he cycled across Scotland then a few years later completed the 1000 mile solo ride across Britain from John O' Groats to Land's End His next long-distance ride took him the length of Italy a journey of 1336 miles helping to raise GBP50000 for charity After graduating from Glasgow University & having also qualified as a professional ski instructor he decided against a conventional career & devoted himself full-time to raising money for his endurance adventures Visit his website at wwwmarkbeaumontonlinecom