Cyclist to cross US with just a 'bag for life'

Matt Garman will often have to cover more than 100 miles (161km) a day

An adventurer has set off on a 3,000-mile (4,828km) bike ride across the United States with just a 'bag for life' to raise money for a Sussex charity.

Matt Garman, from Brighton, left San Diego in California on Sunday and was expecting to reach St Augustine in Florida on 27 October in a bid to raise money for Rockinghorse Children's Charity.

Before he set off, Mr Garman said: "There's no option except to finish as we've booked flights back for the 27th of October.

"I'll be travelling light, just one set of clothes, my mobile and a credit card. All of my kit can fit into one shopping bag."

During his ride, 54-year-old Mr Garman and his lifelong friend David Cox, 56, will cross the Colorado and Yuha deserts.

"The deserts will be the toughest parts but also the most beautiful," Mr Garman said.

"The ride will be tough and I'll probably have a very sore bum by the end of it."

To make the journey on time, the pair will need to cycle for between eight and nine hours every day, often covering more than 100 miles (161km).

Mr Garman told BBC Radio Sussex he wanted to support the Brighton-based charity after having a tour of the site and being "absolutely blown away".

The 54-year-old, who said it took 16 months to plan the challenge, previously rowed across the Atlantic, swam the English Channel and completed an Ironman triathlon.