Mark Beaumont, an adventure cyclist from Scotland, got on his KOGA in the early morning of July 2nd and cycled out of Paris heading east. He believes it's possible to cycle around the world in 80 days. Jules Verne would consider him a lunatic. We reckon if anyone can do it, it’s Mark.

We’re following him on his record breaking quest.

Stage 1

Mark cycled from Paris to Peking straight through Russia arriving in the Chinese capital after 28 days. From there he flew across the Indian Ocean to the next continent, landing in the city of Perth, Western Australia's capital. Not wasting any time, Mark was on his Koga Kimera just one hour after touch down, heading towards Australia's east coast.

Stage 2

For stage 2 of his 80 day race Mark crossed the entire Australian continent, from Perth to Brisbane, in just 16 days. He traced along the Great Australian Bight and then cycled up from Melbourne across New South Wales to finish in Brisbane, Queensland. From there he took a plane to the southernmost airport of New Zealand, Invercargill. One of the most beautiful parts of his trip began. But it's cold in New Zealand, as it's mid-winter in the Southern Hemisphere. The sun sets quickly and is slow to rise. This leg of the journey is all about keeping warm and dry.

On day 49 Mark arrived in the city of Sails, Auckland. He left behind his New Zealand team and took a plane to the American continent, starting the third leg of his trip in Anchorage, Canada.

This gallery tells the story of the cold and windy but also stunningly beautiful second stage, starting on day 29 and finishing on day 49 of Mark's round the world trip.