Train driver takes on 20,000-mile Americas ride

HIS regular journey involves taking passengers up and down the east coast.

Now, train driver Richard Niven is swapping his comfy cab for the open road - on a 20,000-mile motorcycle trip from the southern tip of Argentina to New York, via Alaska.

Mr Niven, 45, who lives in South Queensferry, will travel to the small South American town of Ushuaia on March 20 to begin the treacherous nine-week journey on his Honda XL 700 Transalp motorcycle.

During the charity trip, in aid of the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation, he will face a host of weather conditions on some of the world's most notorious and difficult mountain roads, visiting 14 countries along the way before finishing in New York around June.

Mr Niven, who works for Edinburgh-based CrossCountry Trains, said: "This will be a really gruelling journey but also a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

"It will be a long slog through mountains, valleys, sunshine and snow, and on some of the toughest roads on this planet.

"I'm a keen motorcyclist and this is by far the most daunting road trip I'll ever face.

"I'll miss my family and friends but will be keeping in touch as much as possible.

"I've made sure my fitness is good and I think apart from the weather and road conditions, my biggest challenge will be tiredness.

"I just can't wait to get going."

Despite the task ahead, this is not Mr Niven's first big adventure. "I'm used to doing adventures," he said. "I travelled Africa on my motorbike in 2008, and I went to Ecuador in 2007 where I did a rail tour on steam trains. That's what made me want to do this trip because of the Andes mountains, which are probably the best motorcycling mountains on this planet."

Mr Niven will be joined by another 17 adventurers from across the globe on the trip.

The route takes in Chile, Argentina, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Honduras, Guatemala, Mexico and Las Vegas, among many other locations.

Mr Niven will also visit Alaska, where he will prepare for his final leg to New York.

He reckons the cost of the trip, including his motorbike, will be around 20,000.

Glasgow-born Mr Niven moved to South Africa at the age of nine due to his father's job. He worked as a fireman on steam trains in the Karoo desert before returning to the UK in his late 20s.

The David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation is a small charity which provides funding projects in Africa and Asia to help save critically endangered wild animals.

Mr Niven, who has raised 170 for the charity so far, added: "I just hope to drum up as much support as possible for the charity and really raise awareness of the great work they do."

To sponsor Mr Niven, visit www.justgiving.com/TransAmericaTour.