Hidden behind that elegant solar headpiece in the photo above is Simon Milward, a rather insane enterprising young fellow who intends to become the first human to cycle across the Sahara Desert using nothing more than the locomotive power of a solar powered bicycle.

The fruitcake dear fellow is being sponsored by a local solar power company, and has spent months designing and building his very own solar transport. As you can see from the design, the bike is unlikely to win any major awards for styling, but if it helps the chap avoid being fried by the sun then hats off (or better still keep the hat on probably) to it.

The one thing we’re not sure about is how exactly you go about cycling on sand, surely the first thing that happens is you sink to the axles and stop dead. That apart, we’re wishing Simon well in his venture, since it’s all for a good cause. He’s trying to raise money for the international Oxfam charity, and while he has so far only managed to gather a paltry £114, we’re hopeful he should reach his target of £1000 well before he sets off into the desert sunset.