BBC Entertainment kicks off Year of Adventure on 19 Feb

MUMBAI: BBC Entertainment will kick off Year of Adventures on 19 February at 7 pm. This is BBC Worldwide Channels first ever global original commission.

Based on the Lonely Planet book of the same name, this television series takes viewers to spectacular locations across the world, brining the adventure guidebook to life on the small screen.

Starring British adventure traveller Ben Fogle, this series follows the explorer as he goes to the ends of the earth in pursuit of action and adventure, which anyone can do; the world is his and your thrill ride.

BBC Entertainment transports viewers to the most extraordinary and unexpected places on our planet as we watch Ben?s pursuit of heart-in-the-mouth adventure. Ben?s exploits include competing in a 24-hour bike race across the US Moab desert, an off-road race across Australia?s outback, para-gliding in Italy, diving in Iceland and ?coasteering? along the jagged cliffs in Wales.

In the first episode, Ben Fogle tackles extreme challenges across every kind of terrain in order to prepare for the world?s largest adventure race in Australia. Adrenaline junkie Ben Fogle will need strength, endurance and to learn some new skills on the way. His goal is to take part in the world?s largest adventure race, the Augusta Anaconda in Australia ? where the Indian Ocean meets the Pacific at one of the Three Great Capes on the globe (Cape Leuwin).

To prepare for this Australian challenge of a lifetime, Ben begins his training in California. He throws himself in to the legendary mile and a half swim from the notorious Alcatraz Prison, through the icy waters across San Francisco Bay. This epic swim attracts solo swimmers, racers and military training camps from all over the world. Swimming these deadly waters requires supreme strength against the strong tides and Ben overcomes his fears as he takes to the shark-infested waters for his Alcatraz-style escape.

And finally with Ben now trained to the max, he is ready for his ultimate challenge ? The Anaconda Adventure Race team event. This gruelling 60 km (37 miles) cross country course involves mountain biking, off-road running, ocean swimming and kayaking and Ben is competing in all four disciplines on his own against 1,800 other competitors.

The Anaconda Adventure is the largest adventure race in the world and attracts riders from all over the globe who need sheer bravery to take on the challenge, as the course runs along the South Australian coastline.