TWO Newport cyclists will embark on the journey of a lifetime cycling 18,000 miles around the world for charity.

Robert Shipley, 24, a dairy farm worker from xxxxx and Ryan Farley, 24, an engineer at Cardiff Railway station, from xxxxx will take a year to cycle 18,000 miles around the globe next summer, to raise awareness and funds for Cancer Research UK.

Earlier this year the pair cycled more than 500 miles from Barcelona, Spain to Nice, France, to raise £1,000 for the Brake road safety charity and were inspired to go one step bigger – cycling through more than 30 countries.

Starting next summer they will head east through Europe, they will enter Russia, Kazakhstan and Mongolia before travelling through China and South-East Asia.

From there they will fly to Australia and cycle across the vast openness of the Outback before making the short hop over to New Zealand.

The next part of their trip will see them fly to South America and make the long ride north through Central America and across the USA to New York on the east coast.

Then they will ride through Portugal, Spain and France before returning home to Newport. The cycling duo aim to raise over £18,000 for Cancer Research UK, £1 for every mile they cycle. Mr Shipley said “Cycling around the world has been a dream and goal of mine for a few years, ever since I finished my degree in accountancy in 2010, it has always been in the back of my mind to one day see it through.

“Now that I have the desire and backing of family and friends, and nothing holding me back, as you're only young once, I think it’s the right time to do it.

“I would like to thank The South Wales Bicycle Company, and Georgios Hair Design who have helped us so far.”

The highlight of the trip will be arriving in Singapore, which marks almost a third of the way. around the world.

Mr Shipley said: “Almost everyone has or has known someone, friend or family member, that has had or passed away as a result cancer and The money we raise will go to help fund the exceptional work of over 4,000 doctors, nurses and scientists who strive daily to one day cure all known cancers.”

The pair, who will be able to return to their jobs when they return, will be holding a fundraising event at Spytty retail park on SaturdayNovember 16.

For more information on the various fundraising events they will be holding across South Wales until June 2014, checkout theirwebsitewww. go to c4cruk.co.uk for details. To donate visit www.justgiving.com/RobertShipley2008