In June, John Whybrow and George Agate will cycle out of Canterbury to take on an epic challenge which has never been done before.

After 18 months of meticulous planning, the pair will mount a tandem for the start of an 18,000-mile journey across 30 countries and six continents.

They will cycle through Europe and Asia, cross the Australian outback and cruise the Pan American Highway.

It’s a daunting prospect for the friends who admit to never previously being really into cycling.

But they are not taking the challenge lightly and have been training on a tandem for the last 10 months.

University of Kent physics graduate George, 22, who manages the Ballroom bar in Canterbury, said: “We were looking for a challenge when we left university but, to be honest, it just started out as a little jaunt to cycle from Canterbury to Paris to see some friends.

“Then it just started to snowball and go further and further. Eventually, we found that no one had ever attempted to cycle around the globe on a tandem and so it has ended up being an attempt to create a world record.

“But we also discovered there was an enormous amount of planning and detailed recording which has to go into an event like this to satisfy the Guinness Book of Records.”

Politics graduate John, 24, who is the manager of Cafe Des Amis, said: “We were inspired to take on the challenge by the exploits of other long distance cyclists like Mark Beaumont. who rode around the world.

“We also went to an explorers convention at the National Geographic Society and got advice from people who have done extraordinary things, and experts.

“So when you tell your plans to a woman who has rowed the Atlantic and a man who has skied to the North Pole, the game changes.

“That’s when you actually reach the point of no return.

“It’s been a massive learning curve from the start and we began training in April last year, but more of our time has been spent on paperwork, like sponsorship applications for kit and equipment, route planning and visa applications.”

The pair have been fitting in their training rides around their jobs, cycling up to 90 miles a day and camping over night across Kent.

George said: “There are certain mobility challenges to riding a tandem. I will be at the back, which is called the stoker, and John is the captain, doing the steering and braking as well as pedalling. So I have to put a lot of faith in him.

“We have been training on a tandem but have yet to buy the actual bike we will be riding and are in discussions with several manufacturers.

“But it will be a heavy machine and, because it will be an unsupported ride, we will be carrying all our own kit and spares, as well as camping equipment.

“It means that going up hills, and there will be plenty of them, will be quite a slog, but coming down we can reach speeds of more than 40mph, so I have to trust John with the brakes.

“We know there will be plenty of hazards along the way, including saddle sores, for which we are taking lots of pots of Vaseline, and aching muscles and even upset stomachs.

“But there will also be some incredible sights and experiences and amazing people.”

The pair say that because they will be the first to set the record, they will not be racing against the clock and hope to have a good time during their eight-month adventure.

But they also know they will also face physical and mental challenges that could test their friendship along the way.

John said: “We are pretty good mates so hopefully we won’t be falling out too much.”

Through updates on their website, they also hope their adventure will inspire children and are planning to share their experiences with local schools, who will be following their progress and talking to them online.

The pair are looking for further product sponsorship and financial support for their world record attempt.