HE may have only recently completed his epic 6,700-mile record breaking cycle through Africa, but Mark Beaumont is far from ready to put his feet up.
The Perthshire-based adventurer will begin a fresh challenge on Monday as he attempts to complete the North Coast 500 around the Scottish Highlands in less than 40 hours without stopping.
Billed as Scotland's answer to Route 66, the 500-mile route starts at Inverness and takes in Wester Ross, Sutherland, Caithness, Easter Ross and the Black Isle.
Beaumont, 32, is due to leave from Inverness Castle at 6am and tackle the route in a clockwise direction. He admitted the feat marks unchartered territory for him.
"Despite everything I have done in endurance riding I have never attempted 500 miles non-stop before," said Beaumont. "It is a fascinating and beautiful route and I jumped at the opportunity to do a project like this in Scotland.
"I have personal motivations to take on rides like this. For all that I have done around the globe I haven't done much in Scotland, so it is fun to take on a challenge on my doorstep."
Beaumont set a new world record for the fastest time cycling from Cairo to Cape Town in May clocking 41 days, 10 hours and 22 minutes – almost 18 days quicker than the previous record.
He will spend slightly less time in the saddle this time around and has a goal to complete the North Coast 500 in between 35 and 40 hours.
The route's breathtaking scenery includes castles, mountains, jagged coastline and beaches.
"One of my favourite rides in Scotland takes in the Applecross Peninsula and Bealach na Ba," said Beaumont. "It is absolutely world class and has been voted time and again as Britain's best climb for cyclists.
"To get over there and then up Torridon, Ullapool and the north-west will be breathtaking. People sometimes think Scotland stops at Inverness, but there is 500 miles of roads around the coast north of that."
The North Highland Initiative (NHI) – backed by Prince Charles – launched the NC500 in March and aims to showcase local Scottish food and drink, accommodation, culture, landscapes, outdoor and adventure-based activities.
From Inverness, the route follows the A835 towards the west coast and snakes along the coastline upwards through the North West Highlands, across the north edge of mainland Scotland and finally down the east coast on the A9 from John O'Groats, in a circular loop.
It was named this week as the world's fifth best coastal road trip by Now Travel magazine.
Beaumont's adventures – on the same bike as he conquered Africa – will be captured for a short film to be released later this year.
The father-of-one, who has previously cycled around the world and across the Americas, didn't rule out returning to complete the North Coast 500 at a more leisurely pace in the future.
"I can see myself going back with my daughter Harriet in the trailer and doing it as family ride up the west coast," he said. "I imagine this is the only time I will try it in one go. It both inspires and scares the hell out of me. I don't think that is the kind of thing you try twice – it will be bloody painful."
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