Two St Andrews University students are attempting to break the world record for the fastest time to complete the gruelling Pan-American Highway from Alaska to Argentina by bike.
Medical student Danny Beech and physics student Chris Lally will aim to average over 140 miles per day over the 14,000-mile journey which follows the spine of the Rocky Mountains, through the tropical climate of Central America, across the lifeless Atacama desert and finally over the Andes towards Patagonia and on the bottom of Argentina.
The pair, who head off at the end of July, are funding the world record attempt with a £6,000 R&A International Travel Scholarship and a £5,000 Alex Richardson Award.
The R&A International Scholarship encourages students to broaden their minds in new, challenging and imaginative environments by funding international travel for undergraduates or recent graduates.
The Alex Richardson Award was founded in 2009 in memory of St Andrews University student Alex Richardson, whose untimely death occurred midway through his junior honours year.
Danny said he and Chris hoped their venture would inspire others.
He said: “It’s incredibly exciting to have been given this opportunity.”
For more information www.cycletheamericas.co.uk.