A heart-broken cyclist is gearing up to finally follow his dreams and travel around the world on his bicycle after a bumpy year.

Gary Taylor will set off from his Ipswich home in February next year to start his 40,000 kilometre mission to circumnavigate the globe on two wheels.

Sticking to the around world cycling rules as set by the Guinness World Records – he will pedal through two antipodal points on the globe – Jakarta and Bogota.

The 29-year-old is aiming to raise £5,000 for Colchester charity Re-cycle, which repairs donated bicycles and sends them to poor countries in Africa to offer greater access to food, water, education, health and income.

The keen cyclist has always dreamt of completing this feat but was settled in a long-term relationship and was happy in his job as forklift driver.

“A year ago I had a job and I had girlfriend of four years and I thought that was it for me, I was completely content”, he said.

“When we broke up it was a big shock and a big change in my life, and I started thinking to myself that it was a bit of a sign.”

When Mr Taylor then lost his job, he said this felt like “fate” and he could now “follow his dream”.

He counted up the money he had been saving to put down on a house and took up a job as a dishwasher at Arlington’s Brassiere to raise the rest of the funds to sustain him on his journey.

“I’ve only ever worked minimum wage jobs. I’ve never really done much productive with my life except cycling and if I can reach a few people and show them what they are capable of then it will be worth it”, he said.

Going with finite funds – he plans to camp where possible and to eat and drink as cheaply as he can.

Mr Taylor will carry everything he needs for his journey, which he expects will take him 12 to 18 months, on his bicycle.

His bag of essentials currently weighs in at 27.9kg, which includes camping and cooking gear, tool and medical kit, toiletries, electronics, clothing and books.

“There’s nothing more satisfying then being fully self-sufficient and travelling incredible distances on your own power”, Mr Taylor said.

To follow Gary’s journey and to donate visit www.gearsweneveruse.com