A journey is not always a challenge, nor is a challenge always an adventure. An episode in a life can be none, one, two, or all three of these things. In his previous book “The Man Who Cycled The World” Mark Beaumont told how he broke the record for an around-the-world cycle ride. It was a great example of a journey, a challenge and an adventure.

There is not so much adventure in “The Man Who Cycled The Americas”, although it was certainly a challenge. On this journey Mark cycled the length of North and South America, from Alaska to Tierra del Fuego. But there was an added twist: he climbed the highest mountain in each of the two continents – Denali (aka Mt McKinley) in Alaska and Aconcagua in Argentina. Of the so-called ‘Seven Summits’ (collectively the highest mountain on each continent) Denali is the third highest and second only to Everest in difficulty; Aconcagua is the second highest.

The two climbs, more or less bracketing the beginning and end of the book, certainly rate as adventures. Beaumont is not an experienced mountaineer, but he was strong, fit, and adequately trained. Both mountains proved as difficult as their reputations predict and success was hard won. He describes the mental and physical challenges well and holds your attention throughout.

The cycle ride, in contrast, lacks the excitement of his round-the-world ride. On that journey he was effectively alone, suffering extremes of temperature and weather, coping with misfortunes, dealing with whatever the journey threw at him from his own resources (with help from Mum over the phone). This time his trip was sponsored by the BBC, who made a three-part series about it. Carrying a laptop, satellite phone, web camera and GPS, with regular live link-ups with radio and TV programmes, his journey was much more regulated. There were back-room trouble-shooters and safety advisers, contacts to meet, suggestions for interesting places to visit and report from.

Beaumont doesn’t labour the point but it’s clear he found the lack of freedom and independence on the road frustrating. He still has good stories to tell and there are certainly highs and lows, but apart from the climbing it’s just a bit more monotonous and lacks the excitement of his previous book.

I don’t want to belittle his achievement in any way. It was certainly a great challenge and he deserves praise and credit for it. But the best adventures are those you have on your own or share with others in the same situation. When freedom and self-reliance are taken away the experience is inevitably dulled, and I think this happened on this journey. The book is still worth reading for Mark’s descriptions of the countries and cultures he passes through, and like his earlier book this one is mercifully free of the pedal turn-by-turn that cycling books can turn into. So congratulations again, Mark, and I’ll look forward to the next challenge!*

* Mark has joined Scottish explorer Jock Wishart in a team of six to row 450 miles through the Arctic with the aim of reaching a former location of the North Magnetic Pole. Mark has been asked to join the expedition by the BBC to be both a cameraman and an oarsman. More on Mark’s website.