The couple were married in Peru last year

The couple aim to travel through 12 countries, over four continents, to circumnavigate the globe in 20 days and 19 hours.

They plan to drive across Europe into Asia before flying to Australia and on to North America before returning to Europe.

It is a route which has been approved by the Guinness Book of Records.

The distance they will travel by motorbike is estimated at 18,661, which would make the average speed just over 37 mph.

They will ride a specially-adapted BMW motorbike which has been fitted with a satellite tracking system which is linked to their website so their progress can be followed online.

Challenging ride

Kevin, 37 and Julia, 35, aim to raise money for SOS Children's Villages, which helps abandoned and orphaned children throughout the world.

They have previously ridden from Miami to Rio de Janeiro.

Mr Sanders said both he and his wife were looking forward to getting back onto the open road.

"There's been a lot of paperwork and lots of loose ends to tie up.

"But we think we've got it all organised now, and we're looking forward to the challenge of the whole ride and the tests it will throw at us."

They will ride through the Turkey-Iran border

The pair believes highlights of the whirlwind trip will be the journey through Australia and Alaska.

"We won't have time to do any tourism, but we hope to note down the best places and come back.

"And maybe one day we'll be able to take two years out to do the trip, rather than just 21 days."

Mr and Mrs Sanders are taking a laptop with them in order to update their website at www.globebusters.com and read emails from well-wishers.

Their website explains the reason for taking the trip is very simple.

"Any excuse to get on a bike, feel the wind in your hair, smell the open road and test two-up motorbike endurance riding to the limit.

"We have looked at the record for a long time now, practised hard and we know we can beat it.

"We have ridden for fun on holidays, now we want to give something back to the countries we have ridden through, in better ways than spending our dosh in the bars."