CHASED by elephants, frostbitten and attacked by an African village mob – a 27-year-old from Bowerchalke has cycled home, four years after setting out on an epic trans-continental ride.

Charlie Walker has been pedalling through 60 countries, across Europe, Asia and Africa, covering vast distances and taking in places ranging from the Arctic Circle and Singapore to Outer Mongolia and South Africa.

Besides cycling, the journey included a 1,000-mile walk across the Gobi desert, a 600-mile solo trek on a Mongol pony, and 350 miles down a tributary of the Congo river in a traditional dugout canoe.

Returning home on Sunday, he said: “The last few years have certainly been tough, and often lonely but, on balance, an incredible and positive experience.

"I'm not really a cyclist. The bicycle was a conveniently cheap and deliberately slow means to an end - the end being to see the world, meet interesting people, and to challenge myself both physically and mentally. Hopefully I've learnt a thing or two along the way too.”

His experiences have included being arrested by Chinese police, accused of espionage in Iran, dodging rebel fighters in Mozambique and contracting malaria in The Congo. Along the way, he patched up 250 punctures and slept in countless places from cemeteries and people’s homes to ping pong tables and tents.

His parents Annie and Peter said: "We can't tell you how lovely it is to have him safely home again. We've been counting the days up to his return and we kept telling ourselves that the best things are worth waiting for." 

The former Sandroyd Prep School and Bryanston pupil said he began undertaking various trips upon leaving school.

“These ranged from backpacking in West Africa to a solo cycle crossing of the Gobi desert. On each of these adventures my resolve to eventually embark on a lengthy journey grew stronger,” he said.

“While in the Gobi in 2009, I started drawing wiggly lines across the small world map in the back of a guide book. These vague lines slowly grew into The expedition which I began in July 2010.”

Having trained as a journalist and previously worked on the travel desk of The Express, he now plans to write a book and give talks.

For more information visit charliewalkerexplore.co.uk