Mark Beaumont's Diary - November 2007
Despite adding about 2kg to his overall kit weight, Mark carried a laptop, GPS tracker, three cameras and a voice recorder to help him document his journey.
He sent us text messages and phoned from the road and whenever he passed through civilisation, he popped into internet caf茅s to email pictures and videos.
End of Leg 3!
Mark Beaumont, Tuesday, 06 November 2007.
We just got this text from Mark's mum:
Great news! Mark arrived safe and well in Singapore - end of Leg 3! A great achievement!
Well done big man! We'll be phoning him this week, so if you have any burning questions that you'd like us to put to him, email them to pedallingaround@bbc.co.uk
In the meantime, head over to our Interactive Map to see the latest content from Mark's epic journey.
Hills, Headwinds and Nae Signal!
Mark Beaumont, Monday, 12 November 2007.
Mark's finding that travelling along the south coast of Australia much harder than he thought.
Beset with almost constant head winds and unexpected hills, he has also been frustrated by very limited phone reception, which means we're just going to have to wing it with the interviews this week. Rest assured, as soon as we make contact, you'll be the first to know.
And all this in 36 degree heat! Good luck Monty!
Radio Black-Out
Mark Beaumont, Wednesday, 14 November 2007.
We've been trying to phone Mark in Oz but due to the terrible phone reception, we've had no luck. Last night, however, he did manage to send this:
Hi there
I have had no cellphone reception for days and am now at Norseman and about to head across the Nularbor where I don't think I will have reception for another week at least. There is NOTHING out here. Pretty lonely cycling! This would be our last chance for a chat but I am afraid I cannot wait till you get into the office in a few hours.
Speak after the desert!
Mark
The Straight
Mark Beaumont, Friday, 16 November 2007.
Mark's mum got home around mignight last night to find an email from Mark sent at 22.40 GMT (that's 7.40am for him) saying that he'd made it to Belladonia yesterday and was about to set off again. The countryside is not at all what he expected at all so far, with trees and rolling hills. More scrub land than desert.
He has the 90 mile straight stretch in front of him today (the longest piece of straight road in the world) and is making an early start as the wind gets up later in the day.
Good luck Mark!
Off The Radar
Mark Beaumont, Wednesday, 21 November 2007.
We just got news in from Mark's mum who says:
'[Mark's tracker has stopped probably/hopefully due to battery failure - battery recharger being sent to Port Lincoln by Trident Sensors. Didn't know this was something that would have to be updated otherwise it could have been done in Perth. Food been difficult as only burgers and sandwiches since Norseman. Head wind also very tough making for long hours in the saddle which has meant bad painful saddle sores.'
Of all the things that I thought Mark would have to deal with in Australia, burgers, headwinds and huge lorries were not high on my list. This journey seems to throw up new challenges at every turn. Good luck Mark, we're all thinking of you!
Blown Away (well nearly)!
Mark Beaumont, Wednesday, 21 November 2007.
News just in from Nundroo:
Mon 19th - he camped in a beautiful position where the last tracker recording is before the battery ran out. He set his tent up with a south east wind in mind, however, half way through night, was awoken with tent all around him and the west wind blowing a gale! Great for cycling but not for the tent position overlooking the cliffs! He spent the rest the night lying on top of everything (including tent) to stop them blowing away!
A west wind continued through the day and he cycled 205km to reach 45km beyond Nullabor. Still same food situation (e.g. 'burgers') but he should reach Ceduna in day or two and be able to stock up.
He also met up with the support team for a cyclist who is going for the World Record cycling route that Mark just covered - from Western Australia to Southern Australia!
More soon...
