TWO bikers have began a three-month adventure as they travel from Scotland to China by motorcycle to celebrate a 70th birthday.

Matt McLanachan, from Kilsyth, marked his 70th year in style as he and friend John Kelly, from Airdrie, launched their 13,000-mile journey yesterday.

The trip will include touching down at Everest base camp, travelling across 20 countries and coping with temperatures ranging from -18C to 46C.

“My family just wanted to go a cruise, I thought no, that’s not for me. I’ll maybe do that when I’m old!” said McLanachan as he jumped aboard his Ducati Multistrada 1200 Enduro.

The official trip has been organised with motorcycle tour operators Globebusters, officially starts from Ace Cafe London and concludes at Ace Cafe Beijing three months later.