Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ

After 13,000 miles cycled, through 12 countries and reaching the summits of the highest mountains in North and South America, world-record holder, Mark Beaumont will soon realise his dream of becoming "The man who cycled the Americas".

Since May of 2009, Mark Beaumont, 27, has been battling wind, rain, heat, extreme cold, altitude, isolation and fatigue to accomplish his epic challenge of cycling the 13,000 miles from Anchorage, Alaska, USA to Ushuaia in southern Argentina.

Mark also successfully climbed to the summits of the highest mountains in North and South America – Mount McKinley, USA (also known as Denali – 20,321ft) and Mount Aconcagua, Argentina (22,841ft).

Mark said:"Before cycling the Americas I was not a mountaineer – I haven't even climbed Ben Nevis. Denali and Aconcagua are both very difficult and unusual ways to start your high altitude experiences!"

For much of his trip he was following the line of the American Cordillera, the spine of the continent, one of the longest mountain ranges on Earth.

Mark has been filming the entire journey for a three-part Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ One series, entitled The Man Who Cycled The Americas, which will broadcast on Tuesday 23 and Tuesday 30 March and Tuesday 6 April at 10.35pm.

Mark said:"My constant companions on this journey have been my bike and my camera. The bike has no name but I call the camera Wilson, as for long periods it's the only thing I talk to!"

Mark was only joined by a Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ cameraman three times on his trip and, even then, only for a few days on each occasion. For weeks on end he has cycled and filmed in isolation.

Throughout the journey, Mark has posted regular updates, blogs, video and photos on his website: bbc.co.uk/cyclingtheamericas. An interactive map has allowed visitors to the website to follow him on every part of the journey.

Mark has over 4,300 followers on Twitter and 2,400 fans on Facebook. To date, his Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ blog has received over 850,000 page impressions, while his pictures on Flickr have generated 175,000 views.

As he passed through ever-changing landscapes and cultures, Mark experienced a variety of welcomes. He said: "The best welcome I received on the whole expedition was not even human! The wild howler monkeys of the Panamanian rainforest were the most adorable creatures.

"Having grown up on a farm, I usually know how to act around animals but I was completely disarmed by these wild creatures using me as a human climbing frame."

The journey has been tough in terms of its physicality but, emotionally, it has also had a huge impact on Mark. He visited Pisco, on Peru's west coast, which, in 2007, was devastated by an earthquake measuring a magnitude of 8.0 on the Richter scale.

Mark said:"I was deeply affected and very saddened by what I experienced in the shanty towns of Pisco, Peru. After the devastating earthquake, the plight of so many people has been almost completely forgotten by even their neighbours, not to mention the wider world."

Border crossings have brought some tense moments for Mark, none more so than the crossing from El Paso, USA to Juarez, Mexico.

Mark said:"Filming with the US Border Patrol in El Paso, and then the next day in downtown Juarez, is the greatest social juxtaposition I have ever captured. As the homicide capital of the world, run by the distrusted military, Juarez is a city where the tension is visible. I was incredibly relieved to get back on my bike and keep pedalling south."

As he approaches the finish line, which he should reach around 19 February 2010, Mark reflects:"Nine months is a very long time to travel like this. People have travelled alone by bike for much longer but not at such a pace, with such specific focus.

"At times it stopped feeling like an expedition and became simply my lifestyle – cycling all day, living wild, eating where I could find food. Time often loses relevance when alone for so long."

In total, Mark has travelled through 13 countries along the American Cordillera mountain range, which runs from Anchorage through the Alaskan Ranges past the Rockies to the Andes, finishing his journey in Ushuaia at the southern tip of Argentina.

Greg James, on Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 1, has been catching up with Mark each week via satellite and telephone (listeners can hear interviews by visiting bbc.co.uk/cyclingtheamericas).

Notes to Editors

Please refer to bbc.co.uk/cyclingtheamericas in all articles.

Mark is currently in Argentina but available for interview by telephone. He can broadcast live, in vision, using a BGAN satellite terminal. Otherwise, Mark will be available for interview upon his return to the UK.

All interview requests should be made via the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ, using the contact details below.

Jpeg images of Mark are available, on request, by emailing: jim.gough@bbc.co.uk or tony.nellany@bbc.co.uk.

Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Scotland is producing the three-part series, The Man Who Cycled The Americas, for broadcast on network Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ One on 15, 22 and 29 March at 10.35pm.

Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Scotland is also responsible for: http://bbc.co.uk/cyclingtheamericas

Mark is the current world-record holder for circumnavigating the globe by bicycle. Other attempts have been made recently, but Mark maintains the title.

Mount Aconcagua, Argentina, is the highest peak on the Americas continent at 22,841 feet.

Mount McKinley, Alaska, USA, is the highest peak in North America at 20,321 feet.

Mark has travelled through: The USA (Alaska & Continental), Canada, Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras (by car – for safety reasons; due to political/security situation earlier in the year), Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Ecuador, Peru, Chile and Argentina.

Mark's previous journey was documented by the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ One series The Man Who Cycled The World.

Mark is originally from Perthshire, Scotland.

Greg James is on Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 1 (97-99FM), weekdays from 1.00-4.00pm. Greg's website and blog can be found at: bbc.co.uk/radio1/gregjames.

JG2