Boomerang Road : a pedalling pom's Australian odyssey

I had made up my mind to do it. Ride a mountain bike from Australia's far north to its deepest south.

A distance of 4000 kilometres. I had been to all corners of the world as a journalist and a yachtie; I had married once, twice and then not at all.

Finally, I came to a point where I wanted to take stock of things.

Australia seemed as good a place as any, certainly better than the once smog-filled Midlands where I grew up as a kid.

With agreements secured from BBC Radio 5 Live and a leading regional newspaper, I boarded a plane.

Ahead lay endless roads, which I now know promise the cyclist a good number of near-death experiences.

For me, they also promised adventure.