IN May last year Biggar couple Bob and Deborah Gulliver had travelled 2,000 miles and were cycling through Croatia in support of a children’s charity.

Now, more than a year and 22,000 kilometres later, and in their 28th country, the Gullivers have made it to the USA.

The determined couple were not cyclists before taking on their round the world challenge inspired by Mark Beaumont’s book The Man that Cycles Around the World.

Bob said: “We have explored many amazing cities, from Prague to Athens, Istanbul to Tbilisi, and Ho Chi Minh City to Kuala Lumpur, but it is the non-touristy things that are the most memorable, such as staying with monks in a temple in Thailand, fending off camels from eating our tent in Kazakhstan, watching the mass balloon flight take-off in Capadocia, crossing the Meekong Delta with our bike in a dugout canoe, exploring ancient temples in Cambodia, and sitting chilling with a koala on a stretch of grass at the side of the road in Australia.

“If there is a single thing that we will take away from this tour, it is the kindness and generosity we have encountered from people we have met around the globe, often those with the least giving the most.

“We have received gifts of food, water, and accommodation across every country we have visited from complete strangers, with tens of thousands of smiles and shouts of welcome, the memories that will stay with us forever.”

As well as taking on the challenge of a lifetime, Bob and Deborah have been raising money for Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS).

The couple are expected to ride 30,000 kilometers by the time they return to Scotland in time for Christmas.

And the couple, who are managing to survive the heat by cycling early in the morning and after sunset, are (as this paper went to press) cycling towards the Mexican border before they make their way to Fort Lauderdale in Florida.

From Florida the Gullivers will fly to Morocco where they will then continue their cycling adventure through Spain, France, England, Wales, the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland then back to Rachel House Hospice in Kinross.

Bob added: “While in some respects it feels like we are on the final stretch, with only 8,000km left to go, we are far from home yet. Our Hase Pino Tour tandem has suffered many failures, with it now held together with multiple frame welds, cable ties and lengths of duct tape.

“We will finish our circumnavigation even if we are forced to carry the bike across the finish line ourselves, with our determination fuelled by the thoughts of the children that our small contribution will help CHAS to support.

“As parents ourselves, it is heart-breaking to hear how many families have a terminally ill child.

“We can’t think of a charity we would want to support more and hope that through our efforts, we will further raise the profile of CHAS and help raise funds to allow the charity to support more families across Scotland.”

Through their JustGiving page the Gullivers have raised more than £1,500.

CHAS community fundraiser Alison Rennie said: “We are grateful to Bob and Deborah for raising awareness and funds for CHAS through this incredible once-in-a-lifetime trip around the world.

“Their contribution will help us continue to support children with life-shortening conditions and their families across Scotland.

“We wish the Gullivers safe travels on their final leg of their trip and look forward to welcoming them back to Rachel House this Christmas.”

To find out more about Bob and Deborah’s epic journey or to donate, visit www.thegulliverstravels.com.

Donations can also be made via their JustGiving page: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/thegulliverstravels.