As Mark's 38 date tour came to a close this week, I picked up this review from David Kerr at Watt Works, who kindly gave us permission to reproduce it.

The Incredible Power of Momentum

by David Kerr

Last night, we went to Stafford to see Mark Beaumont talk about his experiences of cycling around the world and across the Americas.

For those who are unfamiliar with the name, Mark Beaumont is the guy who smashed the Guinness world record of cycling round the world by a massive 81 days … completing the 18,000 mile journey in 194 days, 17 hours. This required cycling 100 miles a day. Consistently. For over 6 months. He did this single-handedly, with no support crew. An incredible feat.

Not content with that, Mark then cycled the Americas. He cycled over 13,000 miles from Anchorage, Alaska in the USA to Ushuaia in Souther Argentina – and also climbed the two highest peaks on each continent (Mt McKinly and Mt Aconcagua)along the way – in an incredible 268 days.

He was a great speaker. Warm, funny, eloquent and completely unassuming. The evening itself was a superb behind-the-scenes glimpse of an incredible journey.

In particular, one thing that Mark said has stayed with me … “the power of momentum”. As you might imagine, on expeditions of this size there were many dark moments. When everything is looking bleak … when you think you’ve exhausted the last of your physical and mental reserves and you can’t go on – what do you do? How do you get through it? Have you ever wondered how people who have an incredible ability to keep going through adversity actually do what they do?

Focussing on the outcome might actually be demotivating because it may be (or appear) so far away. And, the chances that the difficulties you are experiencing in those dark moments make the possibility of achieving the end goal seem even more unlikely.

For Mark Beaumont in these moments, it’s about just keeping the wheels turning. That’s it.

Just keep the wheels turning.

Keep the wheels turning, and soon you’ll be a little closer to your goal. The worst possible thing you can do in your darkest moments is pause to gather your thoughts. Real momentum is built during those moments when, despite everything, and against all odds … you keep the wheels moving.

I hope that you never have to experience those darker moments. But if you do, just try to keep the wheels turning. … because each turn of that wheel is taking you a step closer to your goal.