A keen cyclist is preparing to saddle up and cycle 8,000 miles across an entire continent for charity.

Nick Simon, 58, from Harpenden, will set off from Cairo tomorrow (12) and cycle through Africa on an 11 month excursion- hoping to reach Cape Town on December 19.

The journey will take Nick on two wheels through 13 East African countries including Uganda, Ethiopia, Zambia and Kenya, where he will visit and volunteer with Christian Aid organisations.

The seasoned traveller’s previous adventures have seen him visit Haiti and Bangladesh.

In 2014 Nick, who attends High Street Methodist Church, cycled from John O’Groats to Land’s End in preparation for this year’s challenge and is taking inspiration from those older than him who have undertaken extraordinary feats.

He said: “Ulrich (Inderbinen) climbed the Mattherhorn on his 90th birthday year in 1990 and Diana Nyad swam 110 miles from Havana, Cuba to Key West, Florida when she was 64.

“I’m just going on a bicycle ride.”

Ahead of the Friday’s departure, Nick said: “I have always had a bicycle, but it is this Cairo to Cape Town Challenge that has really got me back on it.

“I want to do what I can to help reduce extreme poverty around the world.

“I have supported Christian Aid for about 20 years and they do a great job working to help people lift themselves out of poverty globally, as well as their campaigning here in the UK.”