A cyclist is set to undertake an extraordinary biking challenge later this month to raise money for two charities close to his heart.

Damian Burgess will try to complete 2,000km in under 12 days unsupported, raising money for British Heart Foundation and Mind Mental Health.

The GB Divide/GB Duro follows a route that runs the length of Britain and has been completed by fewer than 50 people. Bursting with climbs and technical descents, the route doesn’t go the usual way of Land’s End to John O’Groats but instead uses some road sections, gravel, single-track, rivers and everything in between, with over 27,000m of climbing.

Originally from Caerphilly but now living in Llandre, just north of Aberystwyth, with his wife who is originally from the area, Damian runs his own business, Red Squirrel Marketing.

“The GB Divide route which is used in the GB Duro spans 2,000km with just under 30,000 metres of climbing, it’s not a race, just a challenge to finish the route.

“It is all unsupported so no team car or pre-booking accommodation, you can camp each night or stay at a hotel on the off chance there are vacancies or ride through the night.

“You can stop for food and supplies as much as needed but the route does go off road as well as on road so some segments ride though hills and through rivers for 40km between towns or villages.

“I aim to complete the ride in 10 days or so, averaging 200km every day, obviously this is a big push, there may be need of a rest day in the middle or a day where I only complete a small distance.

“Also the weather will play a huge part too, fingers crossed for a mild and dry July and of course a headwind all the way too.

“I thank all sponsors who have helped me so far with this challenge, Watch Obsession in Aberystwyth have sponsored me with a gravel bike for the challenge; Caffi Gruff, run by pro cyclist Gruff Lewis, is another sponsor as well as many others who have supplied me with equipment or nutrition in the build up to the epic ride.

“Also a thank you to those who have donated already, it is an ambitious target I want to reach but all the money is going to two worthwhile charities.”

Damien has set a £30,000 target to be split between the two charities.