A father and son are preparing to cycle more than 2,500 miles around the coast of Britain.

Dwight Wood, 56, and son Lewis, 11, who live in Aylmer Road, Leytonstone, plan to cover more than 50 miles each day and hope to ‘couch surf’ as often as possible to cut costs and gain local knowledge.

Mr Wood, who is chairman of the Friends of Wanstead Parklands preservation group, also wants to tell people about the park on the way – he feels it should be known as the Hampstead Heath of east London.

The father-of-four, whose day job is to help run a sustainability company, said: “The idea is that we see amazing things around the coast and meet nice people, and do it without using a load of carbon.

“We want to prove to people that there’s so much to see in this country and that to see it you don’t need to spend a fortune.”

Lewis, who rides to Forest School in College Place, Snaresbrook, every day has been cycling since he was four.

“I’m looking forward to seeing lots of new places and new people,” he said.

“I see it as my biggest challenge before secondary school.”

They will set off from Exeter on July 5 and plan to cycle 2,650 miles clockwise around the coast before finishing in Bottesford, Lincolnshire on September 4

Taking only one rest day per week, they have limited themselves to one bag between them with a maximum weight of nine kilograms.

In order to cut prove that epic holidays can be taken on a budget they are looking for anyone willing to let them ‘couch surf’ along the way, even offering a reciprocal night’s accommodation at their home for anyone kind enough to offer.

Visit www.2boys2wheels.blogspot.co.uk for more information.