SCOTTISH adventurer Mark Beaumont will begin his world record attempt to become the fastest man to cycle from Cairo to Cape Town tomorrow morning.

The 32-year-old from Perthshire will depart the Egyptian capital at 7am to embark on the epic challenge which will see him tackle an almost 7,000 mile journey the length of Africa.

"I'm just keen to get started now," he said. "The final week of preparation has involved spinning a lot of plates, so I'm looking forward to the simple but tough task of riding my bike."

Starting from Egypt, his route will take in Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, Botswana and South Africa.

It marks his first major expedition since 2012 when Beaumont almost lost his life after his boat capsized on a world record bid to row across the Atlantic Ocean. He and his five crew-mates spent 14 hours in icy waters fighting for survival.

Beaumont, who has previously cycled around the world and across the Americas, will face unforgiving terrain and extremes of climate as well as the threat of kidnapping or attack in some of the regions he will pass through.

When he first began eyeing the Cairo to Cape Town world record it was held by Robert Knol of the Netherlands and stood at 70 days and three hours.

Keegan Longueira from South Africa completed the route in 59 days and eight hours last month, a time currently being verified by Guinness World Records.

Beaumont hopes to shave a further 10 days off that with his own effort.

He admitted to feeling "a weird mix of excitement and trepidation" as the start line looms.

"If I think of the big picture it scares the heck out of me," he said. "If I think of what I actually need to do each day, I calm down and realise it is quite possible in theory.

"But it is Africa and there is so much that is outwith my control."

Beaumont is keen to stress that it is a solo expedition and one he will complete unaided.

The Scot will carry all of his own food, water and equipment including a tent and sleeping bag.

"I will have crews filming me for some sections but the vast majority of the journey I'll be alone," he said.

"The only part I have proper armed security for is north Kenya which is obviously very volatile. We have seen in the last week what is happening in the north, albeit that is a little further east than I'm travelling, but there is heightened concern.

"I have been in touch on a daily basis with my security team in Nairobi."

His opening day in the saddle will see him cover 215km (133 miles) but in the weeks to come Beaumont could pedal as much as 300km (186 miles) in one go.

"I will have some pretty big days at the start but I'm going to try not to kill myself in the first week, even if the roads are great and I'm feeling strong," he said. "I don't want to overcook it while my body and mind are still getting used to the routine.

"There are some fantastic roads through Sudan although it is going to be baking hot. But if I can get into my rhythm I should be able to cover some pretty big distances there. I think it will slow up a bit in Ethiopia and north Kenya because it is a lot more mountainous and with rougher roads."

Beaumont grew up near Blairgowrie, Perthshire, and is a graduate of Glasgow University. He is married to Nicci, 32, and the couple have a 20-month-old daughter, Harriet.

His African record bid is backed by LDC, the Drum Property Group, the Wood Foundation, Martin Currie, the Weir Group and Endura.

Beaumont has so far raised more than £30,000 for Orkidstudio, a Glasgow-based humanitarian architecture and construction charity with projects in Africa, Asia and South and Central America.

The public will be able to follow his progress online with half-hourly updates via GPS tracking on his website and through social media using the hashtag #AfricaSolo

He has been in touch with Keegan Longueira who, far from being peeved that his freshly set record could soon be toppled, has been lending Beaumont key advice about the route.

"Keegan followed my early trips and names me as one of the reasons he is doing what he does now," said Beaumont. "I think he is quite excited I'm coming hot on his tail to try and break that record and has been helping me out lots with information. Keegan wants to come out and ride with me when I hit South Africa. He's a lovely guy and it is all exactly in the right spirit of things."

Beaumont remains confident of setting a new fastest time. "In terms of the kit, it is faster than anything I have taken around the world or when I did the Americas," he said. "I'm in the shape of my life so there is no reason why not.

"Apart from accident or injury, I think physically I can do it. Whether I can get through Africa with all the border crossings and everything else outwith my control? That's yet to be figured out."

He laughed when asked what part he is most looking forward to. "Cape Town," quipped Beaumont.

"I love the deserts. While it is going to be brutal and tough I'm quite looking forward to Sudan.

"I can't say I'm that excited about the start and getting out of Egypt. I really just want to get wheels rolling and heading south as quickly as possible.

"I have concerns about each of the first four countries. I'm not particularly looking forward to Ethiopia and north Kenya but once I'm through that I'm into the great grasslands of Tanzania and Zambia which I think will be utterly beautiful."

To follow Mark's progress visit markbeaumontonline.com or follow him on Twitter @MrMarkBeaumont, Facebook and Instagram using the hashtag #AfricaSolo