CYCLIST extraordinaire Martin McKeown had some fascinating tales to tell when he rode into his home street in Otley after an epic journey from Japan.

But though his 6,000-mile trek had taken him through 18 countries, he said his return to Yorkshire was a highspot of his mammoth trip.

Throughout his marathon journey he saw quite a few things that your average tourist might miss.

Mopeds carrying live ducks, roadsides littered with dead snakes, a leopard, an elephant and a rhino were just some of the more unusual sights.

In Otley, family, friends and wellwishers had turned out to greet the 25-year-old who, on finishing a three-year assistant teaching post in Japan last August, had decided to swap conventional air travel for a push-bike and make his own way back.

Said Martin, who lives in Caxton Road: "Getting back was pretty good - seeing everyone again, but other than that perhaps New Year's Eve in Nepal was a high point. It wasn't as crazy as a New Year's Eve over here though."

And his mum Vanessa said: "It was a brilliant day. We just partied from the moment he arrived.

"I'm just so pleased he is in one piece - the only injury he has are scars on his feet from standing on the reef - which isn't bad for all those months he's been away.

"Other than that he looks very thin and tanned and his hair is a bit long!"

Martin's travels took him through China, Thailand, Italy and Turkey, with Nepal being the main highlight.

Through them, he has not only experienced life in many parts of the world but raised well over £1,000 for Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

He said the first leg of the journey through Japan took a bit of getting used to.

Adjusting to towing the Bob Yak trailer full of equipment in high temperatures plus feeling a little unfit, made it tough going.

From Japan, he then had to endure a 50 hour ferry crossing to China before getting back in the saddle.

Martin feels he was incredibly lucky on his trek. Not only did he complete the trip on one set of tyres, he had no accidents - the worst technical hitches being punctures and a broken chain.

He did, however, have a near miss when a bike fell off the roof rack of a minibus travelling in front of him.

And a landslide prevented him from crossing the border at Crau Treo in Laos.

Ramadan - a period of fasting - in Dhaka made finding food a little difficult for him though fortunately some restaurants were still open. Closed curtains kept the identities of the diners hidden!

One of the lowest points for him was when he first set off on his trek. He said: "I think in a way the worst part for me was in China. I had just left Japan and was getting used to the cycling. I felt very on my own - there were no Westerners around - and it was all very different. At that point it seemed a very long way home."

The troubles in Iraq forced him to pack his bike and fly from India to Turkey, and for safety reasons he also avoided Pakistan.

The journey was originally planned to take eight months but took ten months after he stopped off for the two month surfing season in Sri Lanka.

While he had surfed before, he described the experience as "absolutely amazing."

Martin managed to keep in touch with family, friends and his Japanese girlfriend Yoshiko via telephone and email.

Yoshiko visited him in Vietnam and is here in Otley to welcome him back. After a brief return to Japan, Yoshiko will stay in Otley with Martin.

Martin said: "Yoshiko thought I was

joking when I first told her my plans. She was worried but didn't try and talk me out of it. She knew I had decided to do it. Obviously she is happy I am okay and home."

Martin's family set up a finishing line across Caxton Road for his return and friends announced his arrival with fire engine horns.

Martin said: "It's great to be back and to see my friends and family again. I thought there would be a few people to greet me but not that many. It was an excellent day."

The marathon journey began initially as a joke.

Explained Martin: "I've always enjoyed cycle touring and when I took the job in Japan I joked that I would cycle back.

"Then I looked into it and saw it was possible."

He added: "I wouldn't say I'd do it again but I certainly don't regret it. I didn't have any really tricky moments, apart from having my camera stolen in Bangladesh. I was very lucky really.

"I'm feeling very fit and well and I've lost my beer belly."

Now, he intends to hang up his cycle gear - at least for the moment. He is planning to look for work in marketing or international business.

"I plan to have at least a year or two round here. I'm not aiming to do any more big cycle tours just yet, but I will be back doing the Otley Cycle runs on a Sunday," he said.

Martin's sister Kelly said of her brother's return: "It was very emotional. It's good to have him back."

His parents Paddy and Vanessa have thanked all those who saw their son come home.

Said his mum: "We would like to say a big thank-you to everyone who came to the finish to welcome Martin home, and special thanks to everyone who helped."