Castaway Mike seeks cycle nuts for Oz trip

Mike Laird, 41, is launching Trans Oz Bike Race, a 2000-mile 19-day race in May next year, that will have cyclists covering an average of 120 miles a day.

The ride will start on the outskirts of Melbourne and race north through Australia via Victoria and New South Wales to finish in Cairns, Queensland.

The first part of the race follows the route of the doomed trek in 1860 made by Robert O'Hara Burke and William John Wills.

They led 19 men on an epic journey, but they both died on the return leg, and only one man survived the expedition.

Mr Laird, who currently lives and works in Surrey, is no stranger to intrepid travel, having already completed the trans-Australia ride solo.

Apart from his day job as a risk manager, he is a remote travel expert, a Fellow of the Royal Geographic Society, a Trustee of the Scientific Exploration Society, has been a war photographer in Afghanistan and is the founder of UK-based charity marocaroundtheclock.

He said: "I wanted to open this amazing trip up to other people and thought other cyclists would appreciate the amazing landscape and wildlife, and it would be an opportunity to make a few quid for one of my good causes.

"Anyone with determination, bags of energy and a decent bike should reach the finish line."

One hundred amateur cyclists from several different countries will have 17 stages to complete in temperatures hitting the mid to high 20s and with only two days off.

Most of the race is road-based but some parts will be off-road on sand and dirt tracks through the Outback.

Anyone interested in taking part should not only have a passion for cycling and adventure but also 3000 to spare for the entry fee, some of which will benefit two Australian charities - the Heart Foundation and Starlight Children's Foundation. Keen cyclists can enrol from September 18 at transozbikeride.com.