Film released charting Mark Beaumont's record-breaking NC500 ride

A FILM charting cyclist Mark Beaumont’s record-breaking North Coast 500 ride is now available on Global Cycling Network (GCN).

The film entitled “North Coast 500” follows Mark and his team as they prepare for and conquer the 516-mile tourism route round the north Highlands in September.

Mark originally attempted NC500 in 2015 and set the inaugural record then at 37 hours, 56 minutes and 44 seconds.

The September challenge was in a bid to wrest the record back from Robbie Mitchell, a Durness native, who set a time of 29 hours, five minutes and 42 seconds in 2021.

Mark rode an Argon 18 E-119 Tri+ bike with an aerodynamic NoPinz skinsuit and Hunt wheels. He had a detailed nutrition strategy.

Viewers will watch him fighting to keep Robbie’s record in his sights as he tackles miles of unrelenting gradients and headwind, plus hours of pitch-black night riding with the threat of storms looming.

Mark crossed the finish line in a blistering 28 hours and 35 minutes, shaving Robbie’s time by close to 30 minutes.

He said: “This documentary tells the full story, behind the scenes of the planning and teamwork that was needed to break the iconic North Coast 500 record.

"This was by far the hardest single effort of my career. Going that deep for that long, I learned something new about my ability as a racer."

North Coast 500 joins a catalogue of GCN+ epic adventure and challenge films including Mark’s world record-awarded Around the World in 80 Days ride and Africa Solo, which follows his solo ride from the north to the south of the African continent.

All films are exclusively available via the GCN App, all web browsers, AndroidTV, Smart TV, Amazon FireTV, Chromecast, Apple Airplay and Apple TV.

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