HE'S been through Russia, America and the depths of Mongolia on a round-the-world bike ride - but it was Heathrow customs which scuppered this motorcyclist's Hampshire homecoming.

Duncan Gale rode home to Winchester a day late on Tuesday after his four-month trek across the globe was halted by trouble getting his bike across the border.

The 48-year-old yacht captain took on the challenge to win a 10 euro bet with his girlfriend, Ellen De Jong.

And he was inspired by celebrities Ewan McGregor and Charlie Boorman, who rode from London to New York for the 2004 documentary series Long Way Round.

Mr Gale said: "Only about five months ago we watched it again and my girlfriend said 'I bet you couldn't do it,' and I said 'I bet I can!'

"The whole challenge was to see if the whole trip was possible without assistance or sponsorship. It worked out fantastically - it was an extraordinary experience."

Hampshire Chronicle:

Riding thousands of miles across Europe, through Russia, China, Mongolia, South Korea, Canada and the US, Duncan said his only preparation was cleaning the bike and arranging visas.

And the only technical fault came when he was taken in by a family of Russian beekeepers while he fixed an oil leak.

Then the bike got entangled in customs on the way back from Miami.

"It was very frustrating," he said. "I'm all the way around now, I've done the circumference and so has the bike, but I don't feel the trip is over until I've ridden it down the road!"

Duncan was finally welcomed by family and friends on Tuesday at a reception outside his home in Mill Lane, Abbots Worthy.