A father-of-two is gearing up to spend his birthday on the road after signing up for a charity motorcycle ride across India.

Cliff Webb will turn 52 next week while battling desert-like landscapes on a vintage motorbike as part of adventure company Global Enduro’s charity biking challenge.

Mr Webb, along with 100 other motorcyclists, will take on the once-in-a-lifetime challenge, covering 2,000k of unpredictable Indian terrain, to raise money for four different charities.

The causes involved are children’s charities the Rainbow Trust and Save the Children, along with the Centre for Wildlife Studies, and Adventure Ashram, which supports medical and education projects in rural India.

Mr Webb said: “I decided to take on this challenge because it is for some very good causes.

“Part of the attraction was also that I have never been to India and don’t know what it is like. It is a combination of a bit of an adventure while raising a good chunk of money for some good people.”

Starting in Goa, the exciting nine-day route will take Mr Webb across dirt tracks and dusty roads on a locally made Royal Enfield Bullet motorbike - an old-style small and compact bike described as a “bone shaker”.

The biker, of Sheen Lane, East Sheen, aims to reach a £7,500 fundraising target.

The motorcycling enthusiast, who will have to wear full body armour and a motocross helmet during the treacherous ride, said before he left on Sunday he had mixed feelings about the trip.

He said: “I would say the idea of going to take on this ride leaves me with a feeling of excitement and trepidation.

“It’s quite funny though; my wife thinks I’m completely mad and that I might be having a midlife crisis, my children think it’s brilliant and my friends keep saying ‘Are you really doing this?’”

To help Mr Webb reach his target or to find out more, go to rideindia.info.