Biker sets off on African odyssey

Spencer Conway is attempting to circumnavigate Africa

A former teacher has set off on a 25,000 mile adventure which will see him travel around the African continent on a motorbike.

Spencer Conway, 42, rode out of his village of Biddenden, Kent, accompanied by about 50 bikers on Sunday.

He will travel through 28 countries, including many politically volatile states, during the trip, which is expected to take at last seven months.

Mr Conway hopes to raise £28,000 for the Save the Children charity.

The Sahara is going to be tricky. I don't have a lot of experience riding through sand and unless you keep going you tend to sink Spencer Conway

He said he was inspired by Che Guevara's tour across South America, as told in the Motorcycle Diaries, and had followed the fortunes of actors Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman during their 15,000 mile motorcycle trip to South Africa.

But he said he "hoped to raise the bar" by attempting to almost double the pair's distance on his own.

Mr Conway is riding a dual purpose Yamaha XT 660 Z Tenere to help him cope with the tough off-road conditions through desert and jungle.

The father-of-two said: "The Sahara is going to be tricky. I don't have a lot of experience riding through sand and unless you keep going you tend to sink. On top of that you are in the sun and that's a real worry.

"If it goes really well, it may take seven months, but it could be up to a year depending on punctures or injuries, if I fall off the bike. I am hoping that won't happen."

During the trip Mr Conway plans to do anything he can to reduce his costs.

"I will be undertaking the trip solo and completely unsupported on the cheapest possible budget - camping all the way and relying on the hospitality of the local people," he said.

Before he set off on the journey that he has been planning for eight years, Mr Conway said it would be a real "wrench" to leave his partner Cathi and two daughters Jez and Feaya.