A SOUTH Lakeland biker will encounter freezing cold and searing heat when he takes on a round the world trip to raise money for Mongolian communities this summer.

Mike Moore, 23, from Hincaster, will ride through Europe, Turkey, Russia, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, South Korea and North America on his specially-adapted motorbike in just two and a half months.

He will be joined on his arduous journey by his German friend Florian Kirchhoff and the pair are expected to drive through the finish line, at Maine, in North America, in late August.

The friends have been planning their trip for more than two years and hope to raise money for Action Against Hunger and Action Aid – charities which aim to fight poverty worldwide.

“Florian and I met at university and that’s how the idea started,” said Mr Moore – an engineering graduate who works as a farm hand at Crooklands.

“We wanted to go to Mongolia to see a project Action Aid was carrying out there, but when we looked at the map we thought we might as well keep going and make it a round-the-world trip.”

The friends will travel on BMW F800 GF adventure touring bikes, which cost around £8,000 each. Mr Moore has spent another £5,000 modifying his vehicle for the long journey and harsh conditions.

“The bikes are touring bikes like the ones Charley Boorman and Ewan McGregor used in Long Way Round – which is our inspiration,” said Mr Moore.

“We don’t want to stick to the main roads. It will be uncomfortable on our bums travelling on harsh roads for eight hours every day and camping but the whole point is to get to the back of beyond and off the beaten track.

“I’m most looking forward to seeing Mongolia. I have been warned that it will be the hardest because there are no roads and finding food is very difficult but it will be amazing to be there.”

Mr Moore will set off on his world tour on Sunday. Visit www. 4aid2wheels.co.uk for details.