Book Recommendation - Around the World in 80 Days by Mark Beaumont

Having been reintroduced to Mark Beaumont last summer by a Global Cycling Network video on YouTube, where presenter Simon Richardson rode the bulk of Day 1 alongside Mark, I went on to follow his 78½ day journey around the world daily (often twice a day!) throughout the summer of 2017. What began as mere curiosity (Is he serious about doing 240 miles a day for the best part of two and half months?!) steadily turned into fascination and then devotion to the cause. Each day, full of anticipation, I would fire up my browser to check on Mark’s progress, willing him on to succeed.

The release of his book, Around the World in 80 Days, coincided with my 2018 summer holiday and so I have been able to enjoy the whole experience all over again, albeit at an entirely different level. Despite knowing the eventual outcome I found myself utterly gripped. He writes in an engaging style, the greater part of the book covering each of the 79 days using a combination of the pithy YouTube comments (which top and tailed each day), and descriptions of the journey and his inner battles. His status as a hero to many is only enhanced, in my opinion, by his candour about the times he was beyond himself and struggled to be gracious to some of his team members. Anyone in that situation would struggle, but it takes courage to admit it and apologise.

In addition to the day to day story of the journey around the globe there are also significant chapters on the preparation and planning involved. While it was clear from following his progress on YouTube that there was a large team involved in the effort, I was taken aback by the sheer complexity of the operation. It was also enlightening to find out about the months of travail and heartbreak seeking out sponsorship. The details here make for very interesting reading, but he wisely does not reveal the names of those who promised much but delivered nothing.

The first portion of the book also recounts Mark’s 3000 mile Around Britain (warm-up?) tour. I must admit that reading this part alone, at the start of my holiday, left me feeling absolutely shattered – and the only thing I had been doing was turning pages!

Mark Beaumont is clearly an amazing athlete, but he is also a very talented communicator and writer. His words are always well chosen, his turn of phrase often incisive –  a real joy to read. Maybe I am biased, having become so emotionally invested in his journey at the time, but this is one book I would heartily recommend to anyone with an interest in travel, adventure or cycling – or, ideally, all three!

Available at all good bookshops, or, if you're feeling lazy it's also on Amazon - follow this link.