After 12 days driving through thousands of kilometres of rivers, mud and almost impassable terrain, life back on the sun-tinged roads of Bermuda must seem fairly mundane for Paul Jardine.

But you can forgive him for putting his life of adventure on the back burner for just a little while.

For Paul has just returned from a charity motorcycle ride in South Africa, where he circled the rugged Eastern Cape to raise funds to buy bikes so health workers can reach isolated rural areas with vital supplies. The off-road epic started and ended in Port Elizabeth.

And Paul ? who collected the remarkable sum of just over $10,000 in sponsorship from generous friends and family back in Bermuda ? was one of 113 ?health angels? who conquered the conditions to ensure more medical attention gets to millions in previously cut-off villages and towns.

The Pembroke resident took part in an event called Enduro Africa. This is a unique motorbike trek that raises funds and provides bikes for medical charity Riders For Health.

The bike fan was drawn to the event nearly two years ago while watching a motorcycle grand prix on TV.

?I checked out the website in the summer of 2005 and the whole idea of it just took me instantly,? recalled the 40-year-old, who had never stepped foot in Africa before the gruelling tour. ?I pretty much signed up on the spot.?

The father-of-two, general manager at Greymane Contracting, added: ?Almost everyone on the trip said it was great to be able to combine the bike with doing something good for people.?

The team, mostly from the UK, had medical and mechanical support as back up during last month?s 2,500km haul through more than 30 towns and cities.

And they averaged about 250 km each day ? almost all of which was on rough dirt tracks. Paul may have been a stranger to Africa, but at least he had some off-road experience as a youngster.

?I spent most of my young life doing motocross and trial riding, although I hadn?t done it for a long time.

?But the terrain in South Africa was very very hard. The roads are just dirt and rock.

? We did it when it was bone dry, and the roads were as passable as they were going to be. In wet season it must be nigh on impossible.

?Fortunately myself and my bike survived all the way around Africa.?

On this momentous journey, Paul and his bike buddies drove through stunning scenery, taking in sprawling beaches and picturesque mountains. The riders also witnessed grinding poverty as they rode past seemingly endless lines of township mud huts.

?There were tears in a few helmets,? recalled Paul. ?But when you see people living in those conditions and you know that you are doing something good for them, it?s very hard to describe.?

Back in Bermuda, with wife Lisa and their two children, he admits the roads here are ?a bit more boring and not quite as rough?.

He has no plans to head out on another overseas adventure for now ? ?you can?t relive the first experience? ? although he says he will continue to back Riders For Health.

The Yamaha AG200 bikes used on Paul?s trip will be donated to health workers in troubled Zimbabwe, where arrangements between the charity and health officials ensures resources get to the right people and places.

As a result of his 12 day trek, Paul said that of 54 provinces in Zimbabwe, eleven will now be fully mobile ? and 100 more aid workers will be given wheels.

Each aid worker in the country is responsible for an average of 20,000 people. The average daily round trip for them on foot is about 15 km.

Meanwhile, Paul thanked all the people who helped him raise his five-figure sponsorship sum.

He said that Riders For Health was still looking to fund 600 motorcycles for Zimbabwe.

Anyone wanting to donate should email Paul at: pauljardinegreymane.bm for more information.