Nick Tracey, 31, is still in the planning stages of his five-month trip which will take place next year, however he is already well-trained after completing a 1,200km cycle across Asia.

The former Hermitage Academy student, who works in the travel industry in his new home Auckland, New Zealand, saddled-up for the 18 day trip across Laos and Thailand in November of last year, raising £500 for mental healthy charity SAMH.

Speaking about the challenge he told the Advertiser: “The language barrier in Asia was a problem but I got by. I also faced challenges in the form of steep mountain climbs in Laos, and the hot climate.

“My greatest memory of the last challenge was cycling into Bangkok on the final day which was also on same day as the King’s birthday and the atmosphere was amazing.” For his next trip Nick aims to raise a further £5,000 for the mental health charity. Nick said: “SAMH are doing a fantastic job of raising the awareness of mental health in every day life and need all the support they can get from fundraisers like myself.

He added: “I have some friends who have been affected in the past in one way or another, this drew me to the charity. Very few people raise money for this charity compared to others so I chose them to fundraise for.” Nick will travel across the north and south island of New Zealand, across the breadth of Australia from Perth to Sydney, before travelling across the west coast of America on the Transamerican Trail from Oregon to Virginia, and then heading along the east coast up to Boston.

He will then cross the border into Canada, where he will pedal to Quebec and Toronto and then back into USA, where he will fly from Chicago to Europe, where he will finished with a Lands End to John O’Groats cycle.

Newly launched Cardross business Jam Jar Kitchens will support Nick by donating money to the cause.

David Hetherington, head chef at Jam Jar, said: “We think what Nick is doing is fantastic, and as well as sponsoring him on his cycle we will create a snadwich from each country he passes through and one pound from every special sandwich sold will go to the charity.

“We will also donate one pound from a new coffee called Rocket Fuel, which has a an extra shot of coffee. We can’t wait to see Nick cycle through Cardross during the last leg of his journey.” To train for the challenge Nick has been cycling 30km every night, and a further 100km at the weekend, which will increase as the challenge start date gets closer.

Nick said: “In terms of challenges, there will be lots of long days cycling across more than 17,000km. Running out of food and water can be a worry, as well as wildlife such as snakes and street dogs, who like to chase the bike. It can also be lonely, with long days cycling through the outback with no human contact and I’ll have to make sure I stay warm and don’t catch frostbite in the rocky mountains. But cycling is my favourite hobby and never get sick of it.” Keep up with Nick’s adventure via www.facebook.com/Nicktraceycyclist/photos_stream or www.CycleNZtoUK.com.