The Man Who Cycled the World

I recently finished the book, The Man Who Cycled The World, by Mark Beaumont. It’s one of the longest books I’ve read in a while (I’m used to ladybird books) but for some reason it had me gripped far more than any book I’ve read in the last few years. I’ve yet to put my finger on just why it had me so gripped. It wasn’t even particularly well written (sorry Mark), it was more like a diary of his epic 195 day journey that covered 18,000 solitary miles. I once cycled 300 miles in 5 days and it nearly killed me, so maybe it was a sense of awe that kept the pages turning.


There were several things that really struck me after reading this book.

1. This guy dug deep and found an astonishing amount of will power and motivation! To get on the bike day after day, cycle 100 miles often in shocking weather and push through the pain of saddle sores it must have taken an admirable amount of resolve. Mark encountered kids throwing stones in Iran (I think) and a mugging in America, not to mention the relentless deserts and mountains. He clearly had something he wanted to achieve and he was going to give it his best shot. He actually broke the world record by 80 days or so!

2. The importance of goals. Often Mark talks about not concentrating on the big picture (18000 miles) but on smaller targets; 40 miles before lunch etc. He said it was pointless thinking about the big goals as it just got him depressed. Maybe we need to take that on board in life? Does thinking about what to do with the rest of your life scare and depress you? Maybe you need to think about what you can achieve with the rest of the day, or week?

3. The dream of adventure! This guy had an adventure. It was gruelling and it was probably the most self-fulfilling thing he’s ever done. Can you imagine cycling across a road in Paris after completing such an epic adventure? What a sense of achievement! It’s probably every guys dream to go on such an adventure, I’m actually ridiculously jealous of Mark! Reading it made me want to do it! Huge challenges become huge achievements.

It seems funny to say but I almost feel like I was on that journey with him!

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  1. calebellwood posted this