Caledonia Calls: Scots World Record Breaker Comes Home for Cycle Challenge

Mark Beaumont, the fastest man to cycle around the globe, has announced he will be taking part in this year's only closed road cycling event, Etape Caledonia, which takes place in Highland Perthshire on Sunday 18th May.

The 81 mile challenge, set in the stunning backdrop of Perthshire's Highlands, will no doubt prove to be an easy free wheeling experience for Mark who is training down having just returned from cycling the globe.

The cyclist has now claimed the new Guinness World Record by completing his round the world cycle trip in only 194 days, knocking a whopping 82 days off the previous record holder's time.

Mark, who is originally from Perthshire and now lives in Edinburgh, commented, "I am thrilled to be involved in the Etape Caledonia 2008. These roads were my training grounds whilst growing up and I still believe to be some of the most beautiful cycling in the world... and I have some authority on that! It is fantastic to see so many entrants and best wishes to all the cyclists and supporters for this unique challenge."

The Etape Caledonia is in its second successful year and has already seen a two fold increase in entrants on last year, established itself as a top class sporting event in Scotland's calendar. This year the event has attracted top brand sponsors such as Adidas, The Independent, Cycling Plus and Mavic. The event organisers are confident that it will continue to grow from strength to strength.

This year the 81-mile course will start and finish in Pitlochry, winding around Loch Rannoch and Loch Tummel, with a total ascent of 1,949m. Mark is delighted that such a race is taking place so close to home.

"I am really looking forwards to joining all the cyclists and supporters at the Etape Caledonia 2008. The organisers and sponsors are to be congratulated for putting this unique event in the calendar, bringing athletes to a truly spectacular part of the country," he said.

Is his objective to set a new time record for completing the event?
"No! It's completely altruistic I can assure you! I'll be raising money for charity, with funds going to Community Action Nepal, CHICKS, Edinburgh Cyrenians, Rainer and the Tusk Trust," he said.

Applications are still open for participating in this year's event online at www.etapecaledonia.co.uk, however if the spectator sport is more appealing the local business community has embraced the event, organising an array of complementary activities to entertain spectators, which include treasure hunts, a farmers' market and a family barbecue, up and down the route.

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