Cyclist becomes fastest to ride length of Africa

Record-breaking cyclist Mark Beaumont has completed a rare hat-trick by becoming the fastest rider to cycle the 6,750-mile length of Africa.

Scottish adventurer Mark Beaumont who has completed a rare hat-trick by becoming the fastest rider to cycle the 6,750-mile length of Africa. Image by Jeremy Sutton-Hibbert/PA Wire

The 32-year-old adventurer completed the trip from Cairo to Cape Town in 42 days, beating the previous record of 59 days and eight hours set earlier this year.

It marks a triple achievement for the Scotsman, who is also the fastest person to cycle around the world and across the Americas.

Beaumont said: “I am absolutely thrilled to have completed the ‘Africa Solo’ challenge in a time which was beyond even my own expectations. It’s been an incredible journey, and I’ll never forget all that I’ve seen and experienced along the way.

Scottish adventurer Mark Beaumont cycles his Koga bicycle in front of the Pyramids of Giza, the day before departing on his Africa Solo expedition to try and set the Cairo to Cape Town World (speed) record, in Cairo, Egypt. Image by Jeremy Sutton-Hibbert/PA Wire

“I’m doubly pleased to have raised money for Orkidstudio, and having seen so many of the regions and communities it supports, it’s clear that they do invaluable work to help people throughout Africa. I hope that my journey will inspire people to raise much needed funds for the charity.”

So far the trip has raised £30,000 for Orkidstudio, a Glasgow humanitarian design group which works on construction projects to benefit communities across the world.

Having left Cairo on April 10, Beaumont maintained an average of 150 miles a day through countries including Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia and Botswana before reaching South Africa.

The Africa trip followed seven months’ training with the Scottish Cycling squad in the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome in Glasgow.

The Perthshire-based cyclist smashed the world record for riding solo around the world seven years ago, cycling 18,000 miles through Europe, Asia, Australia, New Zealand and America in 195 days.

(Press Association)