Cycling: Kiwi Andrew Nicholson's record under threat from flying Scotsman

Scot Mark Beaumont on a training ride through London. Photo supplied.

Perhaps the ultimate endurance cycling record, currently held by Dunedin's Andrew Nicholson, will come under assault in July, when Scot Mark Beaumont attempts to ride around the world in 80 days.

Nicholson achieved the feat in 123 days in 2015, taking two days off the previous mark, so Beaumont's assault would represents a massive reduction, if he achieves it.

For record purposes, the minimum distance ridden must exceed 28,970km and the total distance travelled should surpass the length of the Equator (40,075km).

Broadcaster Beaumont has cycled this journey before, taking 194 days in 2008.

He is due to leave Paris on July 2 and must maintain an average of about 380km a day to make his 80-day target. If he rides 16 hours each day, that's an average speed of 24km/h.

The first leg of his journey will take him from cycle to Beijing via Poland, Lithuania, Russia, and Mongolia. He will then cycle between Perth and Brisbane in Australia, and between Invercargill and Auckland in New Zealand.

The fourth leg of his challenge is between Anchorage, Alaska, and Halifax in Canada, and he will complete his journey by cycling from Lisbon to Paris.

"This is the culmination of the past two decades, since I was a 12-year-old boy cycling across Scotland," says Beaumont. "I would love for this journey to give people the confidence to take on what they are capable of, for young people in particular to stop and to think 'what's my 80 days?'"

"I want to redefine the limits of human endurance, by proving what seems impossible really is possible. After capsizing in the Atlantic, I gave up being an athlete for a couple of years, and enjoyed making documentaries about other athletes, but in truth, I had unfinished business, I couldn't idly watch others push their limits.

"I am excited and nervous about what lies ahead, it truly is unchartered territory."

Beaumont will use the expedition to raise funds for Orkidstudio, which works to benefit communities worldwide through innovative architecture and construction. The journey will also be tracked through Twinkl, a global educational platform for primary schools.

He will warm up for the trek with a 15-day, 5600km training ride around the coastline of Britain, leaving tomorrow.