At 15.25 (UK time) on Thursday 18th February 2010, Mark Beaumont completed his second solo-cycle challenge.  He arrived at Ushuaia in Argentina after cycling over 13 000 miles through 12 countries, also stopping along the way to climb the two highest peaks on the American continent.

Mark began his cycle back in June 2009, where he set out from Anchorage in Alaska.  After a few hundred miles, he left his bike for a few weeks to climb the 20,320 foot summit of Mt McKinley (Denail), a techinically more difficult climb than Everest.  A tremendous acheivement for someone with only 5 days previous climbing experience on a training trip to the Alps, Mark then hopped back on his bike to continue his cycle through North, Central and Southern America. 

At New Year, Mark faced his second mountain challenge, stopping off to climb the highest mountain in the Americas, the 22,841 foot high summit of Aconcagua in Argentina.

During the last few weeks, Mark battled against the legendary winds of Patagonia and a broken back wheel, but managed to carry on to reach Ushuaia, the most southerly city in the world, almost exaclty two years after he completed his first solo cycle - his World Record breaking circumnavigation of the world.

Mark was absolutely thrilled to reach his goal:

"I'm ecstatic to be here, it has been my dream and focus for so long - but also a small part of me is sad that the simple but tough life of bike and camera has come to an end, again, at least for now!

Most of all I am looking forward to seeing friends and family who I haven't seen since last May and getting to see the documentary which I have been filming all along!"

Mark's documentary The Man who Cycled the Americas, largely filmed by Mark himself, with a BBC cameraman joining him for a few days on two sections of his trip, will be aired on 10.25 pm on Tuesday 23 March on BBC1.  Find out more about the documentary on the dedicated BBC website.

Congratulations to Mark and his expedition team!

See DATES & VENUES for MARK'S LECTURE TOUR.