WHEN super cyclist Mark Beaumont rode around the world, there was just him, his bike, a film camera and a long, lonely journey ahead.
Now the Edinburgh-based cyclist is back in the saddle – this time he's cycling from Alaska to the southern tip of Argentina – and while his journey is still solo, he's certainly not alone.
For the explosion of internet mini blog site Twitter means he is being accompanied all the way by nearly 3,000 "followers" and every significant – and occasionally less than significant – moment of his epic journey is making gripping reading. He's also filming his trip for the BBC.
From posts about the weather – which has varied from – 15 degrees as he prepared to climb Alaska's Mount McKinley at the start of his journey to a scorching 40 degrees in British Columbia – to updates about the state of his hair, his unwashed "crackling" socks, unfriendly wildlife and the kindness of the locals he meets, he's so far notched up around 850 "tweets" each of them 140 characters long but packed with detail.
When Mark, 26, of Fountainbridge, last set off on a marathon cycle trip – he cycled 18,300 miles around the globe in 2007-8 – he posted updates on his journey via a third party on to a blog.
Mark's tweets mean followers find out exactly what is happening in real time, straight from the horse's mouth, and they can post messages of support or ask questions through the website.
Mark is currently in Panama, nearing the end of his spell cycling through Central America. The next leg of his journey will take him into Columbia in South America.
MAY 25 I am off! An early start in Edinburgh... 20 hrs flying to Anchorage. Let the adventure begin!
26 False start... Our flight has been cancelled. Managed to reroute through Heathrow and Seattle... Just boarding...
29 Good first day on the bike but I forgot how sore a new saddle can be!
30 Stopped at a roadside food hut and got more than I ordered... a prayer and blessing by the owner and his brother – very sweet
Mark's journey includes attempts at climbing several mountains, including the demanding Mount McKinley in Alaska...
JUNE 10 Crevasse rescue, climbing an ice wall, pulling a heavy sledge...all in the day of lessons before flying to base camp Mount McKinley tomorrow. On target!
12 Up at 5am. Minus 15 degrees. Moving some gear towards high camp.
17 Climbed the Headwall to 5000m - highest I've ever been!
22 I can't stop eating - I lost over a stone in weight in the last 20 days whilst climbing.
• We just had an earthquake - I thought it was stampeding moose!
27 It's midnight, bright as midday and raining on my tent. I love Alaska but starting 2crave some normality!
JULY 3 Life in the Yukon is truly tough - I have a new scale for wild living and it starts here. Meeting some amazing people including a lady working at the road works who was 4th in the world at arm wrestling! She had guns!
4 Just had a close call with a black bear. Cycled within 3 metres before seeing it. Adrenaline sure makes you cycle fast.
7 PROBLEM... broken pedal and the next bike shop is 1300km ahead!
11 About to head into British Columbia - the Yukon has been... wild!
12 Always a good feeling on these expeditions to get first 1000 mls in the legs... only about 14,000 to go now!
15 2 black bears, 1 grizzly and 7 bison... a lot of roadside wildlife to negotiate!
17 Accidentally bought 'coconut twist' sun cream. Not only do I smell like a big girl but the bears can now smell dinner for miles around!
19 East of Rockies now and the last day riding the Alaskan Highway - been on it for weeks!
27 A guy I met today didn't believe I filmed for the BBC - dirty, bearded, alone, a tiny camera... 'yeah right' he said & walked off!
28 Less mozzies as I go south, but instead there's lots of horse flies. The wee nippers hurt!
30 Record temperatures in British Columbia yesterday - enjoyed a 20km climb in 40 degree heat! Just a few big hills to the US border now.
• Finding a good quality 5000KCal on roadside in N America is tough - but just had best meal yet in Princeton. Big Italian - amazing
31 Back in the US of A - woop woop. It's the one country on this expedition I have cycled across before but this time it is north to south
AUGUST Mark is now cycling through British Colombia in 42 degree heat...
3 Today a bee flew into me and stung my already sunburnt and tender lower lip - I can't describe this pain properly without a wee sweary!
10 Into Montana... looking slightly less wild! I am swapping the bike for a horse for a day to join the cowboys (and girls) for some ranching.
12 Today was a scenic but tough 85 miles back into Idaho - feeling battered by a big headwind.
14 Heading for Utah.
Met Jon Lee from Bristol today who is riding east to west USA – great guy. Joining me for first 40 miles. Tailwinds, bliss.
• Jon Lee took on the coast to coast after watching my round the world documentary.
15 I forgot I had to cycle across Wyoming to get to Utah! Stunning route so far – big mountain cowboy country!
17 85 miles into Salt Lake City today. Had forgotten how intimidating US city riding can be. Vast and fast is the motto. Just had walk about in downtown SLC.
18 New mitts – might sound trivial but they are very important - hope to stop the slight numbing in my fingers.
23 Horrid day. Underestimated climbs & headwind, got v dehydrated, then 'hit the wall' with 25 miles to town.
• Very dizzy for last miles, huge relief to get here. This can be scary when riding solo
25 I am now in Arizona - the only state on this expedition. I have cycled across before - will intersect my round the world path in a few days
27 Had a great evening with some Navajo Indians who I am now staying with. Very welcoming people. We toasted traditional bread over open fire.
SEPTEMBER4 Deming, New Mexico! I am now back on the same road I cycled during the round the world. Just back from filming at the border – met the same person who stopped me 19 months ago!
5 Mexican food taking some getting used to. Having to tip toe around the hot stuff!
14 That's 1200km without washing clothes, starting to offend myself! Anyone help with the Spanish for finding a laundry?
Found a laundry! Decided it was time when my socks started 'crackling' when I put them on!
15 Lots of police/army - weapon checks to get into town square. Been searched three times in last hour. Army have balaclavas - look v sinister!
22 No banditos last night but was woken at 5.20am by either fireworks or gunshot.
Mark is filming his journey for the BBC and, unlike his last epic journey which he completed solo, has to adhere to their advice concerning safety which means plans to cross certain countries and camp out have had to be scrapped...
24 It's very different now working with the BBC - I can't take the same risks I used to.
• Ended up in an absolute crib tonight. BBC don't want me camping around here.
27 Now in a very shabby overpriced hotel that makes my tent look luxurious.
• I have stayed in some horrendous rat & insect infested, damp, stinking, and noisy rooms - I don't mind. I do mind getting ripped off.
30 Meetings at HQ about the risks in Central America. Honduras and Columbia might be out of bounds. It is a real shame but I must take the BBC high risk teams advice.
OCTOBER 1 Was flying down a hill this afternoon, around a corner and straight into a donkey! Very close to a huge crash. Skiffed its back leg.
• My very cheap hotel room has very large cockroaches! These are kind of reddish. Turned on the shower & a bunch shot out the drain!
Mark has cycled over the foothills of the Sierra Madre del Sur and is now in Rio Grande...
2 Morning announcement on town speakers 'Can the boy who took the small brown dog last night please bring it back or we will come find you!'
• Moto-rickshaws have suddenly appeared on the scene. Reminds me of northern India. ps chillies at breakfast are simply wrong!
3 Giving serious thought to getting a mop crop to help the hot head syndrome! Would be the first since May! Then again not seen many barbers!
• Monkey! Saw my first monkey. Too fast for a photo. Not to worry, it was a very ugly monkey! Had a bit of gollum about it!
4 Seen lots of roadkill snakes - one 5ft Boa Constrictor!
5 For £1.50 I bought a small wooden club. Meant for lorry drivers to check tires. Hope not to need, but very concerned about stray dogs.
• Most days I am chased. It just takes one to really attack & the expedition could be over. Would hate to hit a dog but I need some defence.
6 I used to be a vegetarian! Hard to believe if you saw my current diet. The American continent doesn't really do vegetarian.
• Got a steak with deep fried banana, avocado salad, refried beans and rice - good roadside Mexican food.
8 Seen lots of big black vultures recently - amazing looking creatures. Last full day in Mexico!
9 Made it! First miles in Guatemala - everything looks a little different.
10 Very random morning - ended up ordering myself a custom pair of Guatemalan boots.
• On the leg they'll have the Americas map stitched with my route & an inlaid star in another colour leather.
• They should be great!
14 Heard 3 shotgun and 2 handgun shots yesterday evening near my hotel - made me slightly nervous.
• Made it to El Salvador.
16 Today is the half way point of the whole expedition!
• Next country on the radar is Nicaragua. Loving Central America.
17 Just stopped by police. Started by saying 'you have a problem!' Tried not to laugh, half expected him to continue 'I'll be back'
• They tried to fine me for not wearing a helmet. Not seen anyone using a helmet for weeks! Put helmet on, thanked them & cycled off.
• Yesterday I ripped a toe nail clean off whilst surfing. Bit nippy at the time but very sore in cycling shoes today.
• My hair is getting truly massive. Some times when I wake up I briefly scare myself.
18 I have to take a one hour boat ride to Nicaragua. There is no set ferry or timetable. Have 30 miles still to cycle then hope to find a boat!
Later..• No boats going to Nicaragua today and the port seemed very unsafe. People immediately gathered around asking for money.
• Just been told that the ferry that used to run sank nearly five years ago, and they haven't replaced it yet!
19 OK. Boat option is out due to very rough seas & concerns with the 50km dirt track the other side. Plus no one knows when next boat is!
• Might have to get a ride through Honduras. Should be able to clear the country in 2-3 hours if all goes well...
Later, in Nicaragua...• I made it across Honduras in less than 3 hours in a truck and still managed a few hours on the bike.
• Had to pay off three seperate police check points in Honduras. They didn't even pretend to ask for passports, just money.
21 I have had food poisoning the last two days so feeling a bit rubbish on the bike still - taking medication
22 I am in Costa Rica - Pura Vida!
23 First fall. Not serious. Front wheel skidded on a wet ridge in the tarmac. Managed to unclip & jump off. Lucky no cars as ran into road!
24 Have been advised that Costa Rica is fairly safe but still not to camp. This is restrictive as I have to find a town each evening - not easy.
25 Woken at 5am by the parrots outside my hut. They make an insane amount of noise.
• Stopped for second breakfast at a touristy place. Lady said she couldn't serve me as my tour bus was about to leave. Turned to see a big group of whiter than white Gringos queuing up for their coach. After all this do I still look like a normal tourist?!
• No need to eat again as I have consumed half the bugs on the Pacific - the rest are in my beard! The price you pay for cycling at dusk!
A few days later, Mark arrives in Panama...29 In the jungle with a howler monkey on my shoulder! This place is incredible. Off to find tarantulas now!
30 Very random. I am spending tonight in a firestation! Stopped to ask them where was safe to camp and they invited me in!
• Legs screaming, head exploding with the heat, eyes stinging in the sweat, never let the hills win! A real challenge making that boat.
NOVEMBER 1 The latest is that I am not going to Columbia & the boat I am taking from Colon (Panama) will take me on a two day voyage to Equador. There's big pro's & con's with each route. A shame to miss Columbia but my path through the Panama Canal & down the coast should be amazing.
2 A long day & a big week but made it Colon, Panama. Now on the Caribean (spelling?!) coast for first time. Almost the end of Central America
• Follow Mark Beaumont's journey at
www.twitter.com/cyclingamericas or on his BBC Blog,
www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/cyclingamericas.
