Firsts, Furthest and Fastest – Adventuring on the Edge

Sean Conway doesn’t do half measures when it comes to adventure.

For him, it’s all about the three Fs: Firsts, Furthest and Fastest…

And, when it comes to smashing records, the man made famous by his ginger beard and superhuman endurance feats has had his fair share of successes.

Over the past decade, he’s smashed the Across Europe Cycling World Record, was the first to complete the longest ever triathlon around Great Britain and – as far as is known – was the first person to climb Kilimanjaro in a penguin suit!

Now, Sean is heading to Aberdeen to speak as part of the Royal Scottish Geographical Society’s (RSGS) Inspiring People talks programme where he’ll be discussing his astounding and sometimes bizarre adventures so far!

But it won’t just be the successes that he talks his audience through – Sean believes there’s lots to be learned from past hiccups.

Like the time he was knocked off his bike and had to give up on a round-the-world cycling record.

Or the time he tripped up taking a selfie on his first attempt to run the length of Britain, forcing him to abandon the expedition due to injury.

Commenting on the upcoming talk, Sean said: “I can't wait to travel around doing a speaking tour for the RSGS.

“It's a great honour to be able to share my stories with like-minded people, keen to go off and live their own adventures.

“I hope I can, in a small way, help them to realise their dreams.

"I have made a livelihood out of exploring this wonderful world we live in, and using these amazing bodies we were given.”

Asked about adventuring in Scotland, he added: “I've travelled extensively across Scotland and even cycled around its entire mainland coastline.

“I am drawn to the Scottish way of life, the wilderness, the vastness, and the ruggedness.

“I also look and feel Celtic and ever since I moved to the UK,

“I've slowly moved closer and closer to Scotland.

“I'm currently only 50 miles from the Scottish border.

“Don’t worry, a few more date nights where I give my wife a few too many drams and she’ll agree to move over the border, for sure.

“I'm working on it.

“She should agree, her mother is Scottish!”

Chief executive of RSGS Mike Robinson said: “Sean is a dynamic and innovative adventurer who has many intriguing, comical and compelling stories to share.

“I hope our audiences in Scotland will come away feeling inspired to head out into our country’s wild spaces and challenge themselves.”

Sean is speaking at New King’s (NK6), University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, on Monday, December2.

The talk begins at 7.30pm with tickets priced £10 available via rsgs.org.

They can also be bought at the door and RSGS members receive free admission to this event.