by steph johnson

Last updated at 15:40, Friday, 12 March 2010

A Dalston farmer and entrepreneur is going to ride his motorbike 10,500 miles to Beijing, China.

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Michael Cowen, will set off from East Curthwaite on his BMW 1200GS Adventure next month.

The 12-week journey that follows will take him through Europe, Turkey, Central Asia and along the Silk Road.

Some days he’ll cover 350 to 400 miles, on others it will be about 65 as a large part of the route will be along gravel roads.

Aside from the challenge itself, Michael is most looking forward to the prospect of seeing new places and encountering different cultures.

He told The Cumberland News: ”When you’re on a motorbike you get closer to everything, it’s not like being in a car. When you stop everybody wants to come and talk to you and as a farmer I’ll be able to get a bit more out of it because I’ll be able to understand the agriculture and what they are trying to do.”

On the downside Michael has been warned he will have to endure extreme weather conditions and risk terrain known for earthquakes and avalanches.

He will also have to get used to altitudes of over 4,000 metres during the ride through the Tibetan Plateau and Himalayas to Everest Base Camp and into Lhasa.

Michael added: “The conditions will be very cold and there will be a wind chill factor of minus 25 at some points.

“I’ll be wearing an electric vest, which you plug into the bike, to keep warm.”

He won’t be able to take many comforts with him though – his bike will weigh a quarter of a ton even when its just loaded with the essentials.

Hotels will be used wherever possible but camping is going to be a necessity in the remote regions.

Although Michael had a motorbike licence when he was a university student, he stayed out of the saddle for 45 years.

A keen walker, he only decided to take a refresher course and start riding again two years ago Since then he has clocked up a fair few miles, most of them on a month-long trip through the Sahara Desert last year.

Michael will be travelling to Beijing as part of a GlobeBusters travel group that will meet up in London. Once they reach the Chinese capital the bikes will be packed up and the return journey will be made by aeroplane.

As well as having an adventure, Michael hopes to use the trip as a means of raising money for the Hospice at Home.

He said: “It’s a good local charity and a service that most of us could need someday.”

First published at 14:13, Friday, 12 March 2010
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk