AN intrepid cyclist says he feels lucky to be alive after getting into life-threatening scrapes – including being attacked by birds – on world trip.

Adrian Besly, from Basildon, gave up his job as a staff nurse at Southend Hospital’s A&E department in May to begin an epic, lone bike journey around the world.

While the trip of a lifetime has meant he has enjoyed some spectacular sights, he has also faced some perilous situations, including being knocked off his bike by a lorry, nearly freezing to death while crossing the Pyrenees in sub zero temperatures and being attacked by vicious birds in Australia.

He said: “It’s been very hard a times but I don’t regret it. It’s something I’ve wanted to do for a long time. I hoped to take unpaid leave but the hospital wouldn’t let me so I had to quit my job.

“I feel lucky to still be alive. The lorries actually swerve towards you in South America.

“On one occasion I got knocked over by a truck in Brazil. They come along like trains. There’s really heavy traffic which is very fast.

“One lorry swerved into me and while it didn’t actually hit me just the drag knocked me off my bike. I had a bruised armand hip but I managed to dust myself off and carry on.

“I nearly froze in Andorra. I had to cross the Pyrenees, which is at 8,000 ft and freezing, but I made to the top of the mountains in a day.

“Sometimes it’s hard but you just have to keep going. At the moment in Australia the worst problem is birds.

“They have these black and white birds which they call magpies but they are much larger than magpies in the UK.

“There’re huge, like crows and they dive at you as you pass their trees during the mating season. I’ve been thankful I’ve had my cycle helmet or I’d be a bloody pulp. I’m told lots of people have been blinded by these birds. People tend to turn their heads to see what’s approaching them just as the birds attack them so they get their eyes pecked.”

Despite his close shaves, there have been lighter moments.

Adrian, 55, said: “I danced with a pirate in Gibraltar. It was in a karaoke bar. There was a guy dressed as a pirate and one dressed as a banana and I just thought you’ve got to just enjoy the moment and go with the flow.

“I got to do a bungee jump in New Zealand from a sky tower and I’ve seen some amazing sights.”

Adrian’s wife Sharon, 49, has remained in the UK while her husband fufills his “challenge” as does their 25-year-old son Kevin and daughter Laura, 23 but Mrs Besly flew out to Australia to join her husband for two weeks.

He said: “That was great. I’ve really missed my family. They’ve been very supportive. I’m glad I did it, but it’s been a real struggle.

“The extremes of freezing temperatures and searing heat has been hard. I’ve never regretted it but I can’t wait to get home now.

Adrian, who moved to Basildon from Southend before his trip, hopes to return to the UK in January.

Places visited

ADRIAN has so far travelled through Europe, France, Spain, Gibralter, Portugal, Brazil, Uraguay, Argentina, Chilli, New Zealand and is currently travelling though Australia.

He will then cycle through Indonesia, Singapore, Malasia and Thailand on the next leg of his journey.

He has flown across the Atlantic and the Pacific during his epic journey.