TENACITY and dogged determination are traits Mark Beaumont has displayed by the pannier-full as he pedals his way through a 6,200-mile world record attempt to cycle the length of Africa.

 

Over the past five weeks, the Perthshire adventurer has traversed a far from easy path on his journey from Cairo to Cape Town.

Beaumont has endured food poisoning, stormy weather conditions, poor roads and mechanical issues. He has had to fight off a mugger and come within heart-stopping inches of being knocked from his bike by passing vehicles.

The finish line is now within his sights. The 32-year-old crossed the border into South Africa last night, the eighth and final country in what has been an epic expedition.

All being well, Beaumont should reach Cape Town this weekend in a new record breaking time.

It will complete what has long been a coveted hat trick for the Scot who has previously cycled around the world and across the Americas.

Perhaps every bit as colossal as his own achievement in tackling Africa, however, is the sheer number of people Beaumont has inspired along the way.

Every day you see their words flood Beaumont's social media feeds, proudly sharing fresh accomplishments.

Among them are those who have felt motivated to run, cycle or walk that extra mile in their daily routine or have even been spurred into throwing a leg over the saddle for the very first time.

We wish Mr Beaumont all the best as the miles tick down.