24 May 2010
'The Man Who Cycled the World...and the Americas!' - public lecture 27/05/10
Mark Beaumont, the Scots cyclist who completed the fastest circumnavigation of the globe and who recently cycled solo from Alaska to the southern tip of Argentina, will later this week give a fundraising lecture in support of a group hoping to set off on an adventure of their own.
He will relate his experiences to help raise cash for students and staff from the Dundee University Rainforest Conservaton Expedition, who will travel to Trinidad in June to research bird species in several rainforest communities across the island.
The lecture, entitled 'The Man Who Cycled the World...and the Americas!', takes place at the University’s Dalhousie Building from 7pm on Thursday, May 27th. It follows on from a similar event last year, which proved a huge success.
'We are very grateful for Mark for once again giving up his time to come and speak here,' said Dr Stephen Hubbard, Reader in Zoology in the Division of Plant Sciences at the University and expedition leader for the rainforest trip.
'Anyone who has seen Mark’s TV shows will know what a fascinating tale he has to tell. His story is a truly inspiring one, and this is a great opportunity to hear first-hand how he did it. This is a chance for people for have seen him on TV or read his books to come along and hear from the man himself.'
Mark’s feats have turned him into a television star, with millions tuning in to see his two-wheeled adventures, which first began as a young boy. At the age of 12, he cycled across Scotland from Dundee to Oban, but only after his mother persuaded him that Land's End to John O' Groats was a long way!
However, aged 15 he tackled the 1038 miles from John O’Groats to Lands End and completed his first solo ride which raised £3,000 for Charity.
After graduating from Glasgow University with a degree in Economics and Politics, Mark decided to follow his dream and spent a year planning and training to become the fastest person to cycle round the world.
On Friday 15th February, 2008, he completed his 18,000 miles circumnavigation of the globe by bicycle and arrived back at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris 194 days and 17 hours after leaving on 5th August 2007. The total distance cycled was 18,297 miles, through 20 countries. Guinness World Records have verified all the data and confirmed Mark as the new Guinness World Record holder by a margin of 81 days.
He followed this with another amazing feat of endurance which saw him cycle solo from Alaska in northern USA to the southern tip of Argentina in South America, climbing the two highest peaks on the way,
The talk will last for around an hour and Mark will be available to answer some questions after the talk. Tickets are priced at £5 per person. A wine reception and book signing will follow the event, and all proceeds go the students’ fundraising campaign.
Tickets for the Mark Beaumont lecture are available by contacting Dr Hubbard at s.f.hubbard@dundee.ac.uk or calling 07814 562476.
For media enquiries contact:
Grant Hill
Press Officer
University of Dundee
Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384768
E-MAIL: g.hill@dundee.ac.uk
MOBILE: 07854 953277 |
