Mark Beaumont & The World Record

Since you have arrived back home, you have definitely become a bit of a celebrity. (all of the press attention, your appearance in the Orange advert and the BBC Documentary). Did you expect people to have this much interest when you returned and how have you liked the limelight?

No! I did not expect any of the public recognition. There are a couple of reasons for this but mainly because I did not cycle around the world for the fame of it. Also, because the project took so long to get off the ground in terms of media and sponsorship, any ideas of making a name for myself seemed hugely unlikely from my experiences before I left.
The feedback from the public has been huge and quite touching. A lot of people seem to have associated with my journey. Over 3 million people saw the BBC documentary and the story reached far greater than simply the cycling world. I do not know the reason the expedition struck such a cord with people but it is lovely to hear. The story was quite big in Scotland since the finish but it is only with the BBC1 documentary and the Orange commercial that the story really became national.
As for being recognised, I am still finding that a bit strange! I look very different without the beard and so am impressed people do!
 
- I know that you were offered an exemption from having to cycle through Iran, due to the high levels of kidnappings. Why did you choose to take the risk and carry on?

Over and above the Guinness World Record criteria I wanted to cycle an unbroken line around the world as far as was possible. Taking nothing away from the cycle of Steve Strange, whose record I broke as any 18,000 miles ride is going to be tough, on a world map his route was so bitty that it did not look like a circumnavigation.
I was advised by the British Embassy not to cycle southern Iran and Pakistan due to the risks involved, however, after considerable research my team decided that it was manageable to get through with the use of a police escort for 800km.
 
- Was there anything in particular you did you keep yourself going or motivated, when you were feeling down?

There is no big surprise with how to stay motivated. On any solo you end up in a level of subconscious which is hard to explain if you have not been there. Keeping going physically is all about keeping the correct focus and therefore perpective on what you are doing. Small targets and a 'now centric' view on the world are important not to scare youself by the big picture.