ROUND-THE-WORLD cyclist Mark Beaumont received a warm welcome when he returned to his old school in Dundee yesterday.

Mark (25) last month smashed the record for cycling around the globe, completing the epic 18,300-mile journey in just 194 days and 17 hours—81 days faster than the previous record.

He told The Courier that yesterday’s visit was the first time he had been back to Dundee High School since he left eight years ago.

“The reception I got was quite overwhelming,” he went on. “I gave the junior school assembly and met senior pupils and it felt amazing to be back.”

The school has followed Mark’s trip closely, working on a number of projects throughout the different departments.

“It was great to see how I had been followed across the cycle and to see the delight and energy of the children.

“After being on my own for six-and-a-half months I was pleased to see that people had been making the journey in parallel with me.”

Mark, who lives in Edinburgh, is writing a book about his experiences.

During his day at the school, he collected cheques totalling £2500, which pupils had raised in support of his chosen charities— Community Action Nepal; CHICKS, which provides holidays for disadvantaged youngsters; Edinburgh Cyrenians Trust; the conservation charity Tusk Trust; and the charity for young people, Rainer.

He also presented one of his cycling jerseys to pupil Gordon Russell, who cycled more than 300 miles in the school’s fund-raising cycle challenge.

Junior pupils were also entered in a draw to win a second jersey or a replica of Ted Bear, the tiny toy bear the school sent to Mark to be carried as a mascot throughout his journey.