A really good little summary of some other fantastic riders and their efforts. Any record like this is an arbitrary construct and whilst an unsupported record would be hard to establish criteria for, it's worth bearing in mind the astonishing efforts others have made without a big team and budget. All that said, what Mark has done is to make the very best of the record as it stands, with diligence, preparation, and hard work to make it not only physically possible but viable as an endeavour, which is an astonishing achievement and speaks to years of tenacious and single-minded preparation. It will be a tough ask to beat this record with a similar effort, because funding an attempt on a similar basis, with the prospect of only a marginal improvement if any (barring disaster) will be hard to do, and because it will take a similarly enthusiastic, talented and focussed individual to do it, of which there are few. Chapeau, Mark - and the other luminaries of our sport!

great job on the history - well done to bring the others forward. It's going to be interesting to see if and when anyone can mount a serious challenge to your efforts. I think you hit the nail on the head when you said that it is a personal challenge - everyone has different capabilities and just getting around the world needs to be looked at as a significant accomplishment. Congrats to you and the team.

Well done Mark, glad you made it before Ewen Macdonnell hunted you down! Ewen (65) retired on 4th Sept after completing/signing off from The Queensferry Crossing. He set off alone & unsupported to cycle around the world, on the 5th Sept with a plan to head East. Another great Fifer with a sense of adventure. 🙂

Superb achievement, proud of you. Recovery team in Edinburgh are waiting to take you for a curry and a pint. 😉

Congratulations on your achievement Mark Beaumont 😮 just awesome' well done to you and your back up team👍

Glad to know that you have not been left alone to fend for yourself for recovery. Think that is now very important because the objective would be that of health fitness affecting the rest of your life. This would be a very important time of "decompression", as impact of the physical/mental activity so far could be detrimental without good support to allow the body "normalize". Although exercise is vital to a point, beyond that, care and knowledge need be taken. Even if you were to never want to touch a bicycle again, it would seem necessary to keep riding regularly for a while - just riding without strain. What next, and what to be in shape for? I could see you as an ambassador of "savory cycling": how to enjoy the world in a way that could be only with the use of a bicycle. This could be family trips to unique destinations to be uniquely experienced through bicycling there - maybe a town, a place to eat, or a nice place to stay. All those places around the world where, were it not that you were needing to keep going, would have been nice to just stop at for a while: to see and experience the world brought uniquely from a bicycle. So many savory trips are possible, for so many people - family over-night trips - even where getting to the start would involve some transportation other than the bike.

Mark you are probably a bit young, but were you aware of Richard and Nick Crane's 'Jounrey to the Centre of the Earth' biking adventure back in the eighties? I kept thinking about it, following your record ride. Their's was not about record setting, but setting a new benchmark in ultra light weight cycling adventuring... I think they used the Jules Verne theme to give it a simple to understand theme to help raise sponsors, they wrote a great book.... I look forwards to reading yours! As I did the Africa Solo..... kickasstrips.com/2013/12/richard-and-nicholas-crane-journey-to-the-centre-of-the-earth/

Absolutely astounding achievement! You must be knackered! Can you bring some of that lovely sunshine home too as it's a horrible driech day in not so sunny Perthshire today😉

Thanks Mark for the update. It was very interesting to hear some history on these record attempts. I think what you have accomplished is absolutely phenomenal, amazing. To cycle 240 miles, 400 km, every day for 78 days......I don't think that many people would quite honestly have the physical ability to do so, nor the sheer mental strength to keep turning the pedals for 4 sets of 4 hours at 15 mph each day for 78 days.........very very few people. To do what you did, AMAZING, simply amazing. "Chapeau" as many people have said. I sincerely hope that the train down goes well, it is as always very inspirational to hear form you, I think that you are an excellent communicator, an excellent orator, and certainly an aspirational public figure. What you have done for the global cycling community, FANTASTIC 🙂 !!!!!

Hi Mark I have been following your exploits for some time and totally impressed with your 79 days record. We saw you a few years back in Exeter when you did a talk on your ride from Cairo to Cape Town. I know you used a Koga bike which was quite heavy but expect this one was much lighter as you didn't need to carry everything with you! Can you tell me what type of saddle you used as it must have had to be very comfy for you! It has a strange down turn on the nose . Thanks Dave Partridge

Very interested mark in the normalisation program you will under go and the changes which have happened to your body. A beer scientific approach without a doubt.

Does anyone knos why he needs a Dexa scan? Is it for a particular injury/problem or is it just a comparison to measurements that were taken before the 80 days?

Amazing achievement Mark and all the team. Iv just stated studying nutrition so very interested in what foods were used to fuel the body for such a challenge

What a massive achievement and effort this represents.I hope there is a tv program to follow plus I am interested in the medical facts after such a massive endurance ride.Well done to Mark and his team.

A really good down to earth modest synopsis of a really amazing achievement. Much respect to you and your team from one Scot to another.

I hope the medical findings can help shed light and awareness of long-term endurance performance and effects upon the body

Me and my pals are going a cycle round Strathclyde Park tomorrow if you feel up to it 🙂

Think the queen should be waiting at the airport to slap a sir on his shoulders

Fascinating stuff Mark, and I'm looking forward to your progress reports

Total inspiration to me and all cyclists mark you are a MACHINE 💪💪💪 welcome home 😀😬😎

Just finished his book and now he's gone and smashed it!

Really interesting hope recovery goes well 💪👍

A well earned holiday at some point Mark

Great summary of the history....human endeavour is a precious thing. Chapeau to you and your team.

Great idea to carry on video updates, thank you