By her own admission, there is nothing extraordinary about Morag Taylor's life.

But that is set to change next August when the 44-year-old mother-of-two aims to travel around the world in no more than 80 days on the back of a motorcycle.

Organised by travel-mad Nick Sanders, who cycled around the world in a Guinness record time of 138 days in 1981, the expedition will be tackled by 12 teams of three.

They will take in five continents, seven deserts, four mountain chains and 27 countries, covering a total of 18,000 miles.

"I just wanted the challenge," said Morag, 44, of St Alphage Walk, Burnt Oak.

"You just go along for so many years and lapse into domesticity and the easy life. I just wanted something that would stretch me physically and mentally."

The journey, billed by Nick as "a riding trial of huge endurance, requiring riding agility, mental stamina and team spirit", will be split into nine stages including Europe, South America, India, Australia and the Sahara Desert.

"I am going to have to work really hard. I need to get incredibly fit and start doing some endurance riding," said Morag, a member of the Balls bike club which meets across Barnet.

"The longest I have been on a bike in one go is two hours to a rally and two hours back. But you will be talking about ten to 12 days' riding all the time in extreme heat and cold."

Morag, a community development officer with Barnet Council, is desperate for sponsors for next August's journey after a £10,000 backer pulled out.

She needs to raise £15,000 by mid-December and hopes to raise £30,000 for a charity of the sponsor's choice. If you can help, call Morag on 07904357692 or 020 8381 3219.

December 5, 2001 11:14

IAN LLOYD