SEVEN amateur cyclists are getting on their bikes to cycle the whole way round Iceland in August.

The East Lothian adventurers are aiming to cover more than 850 miles in less than a fortnight in a bid to raise £10,000 for charity.

Liam Law, one of those involved, was getting excited ahead of the trip.

He said: “We’re really looking forward to it starting. We are getting a bit nervous, it is about eight weeks away and I can remember back to when it seemed ages away.”

Already, Liam – along with Max Newcombe, David Lamb, Nicol Benn (all from Tranent), Adam Welsh (Pencaitland), Amber Karayel and Karly Watt (both Musselburgh) – have raised more than £5,500.

The money will be split between CHAS (Children’s Hospices Across Scotland), Teenage Cancer Trust, Beyond Boundaries East Lothian, SSPCA, Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home and Dogs Trust.

Liam, who is from Tranent but now lives in Haddington, said: “It is quite hard when choosing charities.”

The team are no strangers to fundraising, having previously conquered the Three Peaks Challenge and climbed Scotland’s 10 highest mountains in under 40 hours.

Now they are ditching their walking boots for a trip round Iceland’s ring road, which goes the whole way round the island.

Liam, who runs his own dog walking business, said: “When we were doing a fundraiser two years ago it was pretty hard going climbing the 10 Munros.

“We said next time we should do a cycle instead. We had a look at John O’Groats to Land’s End and the idea came up to cycle round Iceland.

“It’s the same distance but something really different.

“It is one of those daft ideas that is actually happening.

“None of us have been to Iceland. We have looked into it a lot on the internet about the road conditions but none of us have got any idea.

“It is supposed to be about 90 per cent good roads and 10 per cent gravel but lots of hills and we are all quite amateur cyclists.”

“A lot of us just bought the bikes this year.”

The seven cyclists, who will be heading clockwise round the island, will be joined by Scott van Schayk, who will be driving a car with a repair kit for the bikes.

The cyclists will be covering an average of 85 miles each day before camping or staying in a bed and breakfast.

To donate, visit uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/xtremewalkiescharity challenge