A bicycling dad of three intends to cycle to give a gift to notorious Zimbabwean leader Robert Mugabe – dressed as a clown.

Richard Pantlin, of Hurst Street, East Oxford, raised eyebrows las year when he said he planned to cycle from Bulawayo, in Zimbabwe, to the capital, Harare, right. Now the 49-year-old wants to meet one of world’s most feared leaders Robert Mugabe and offer him a gift.

The British Foreign and Commonwealth Office advises against all but “essential travel” to certain parts of the African country.

But that has not stopped Mr Pantlin unveiling a new side to the trip in a bid to bring a smile to the face of the president.

The country is blighted by a crippling economy and an outbreak of cholera and the IT developer thinks Mugabe needs to be reminded what the country was like.

Mr Pantlin – along with cycle partner Asher Mupasi, a Zimbabwean currently living in Birmingham – plans to present the leader with a 20-year-old postcard, which he bought on his last visit to the country.

He said: “I last visited Zimbabwe in 1987, during a very different time.

“I found a friendly and hospitable people and while I was there I bought this postcard.

“On it are pictures of Zimbabweans going about their business with humanity. I plan to give this postcard as a gift to Mugabe to remind him what Zimbabwe once stood for.”

The pair plan to amuse locals with magic tricks along the route.

His circus-themed exploit has now been backed by Banbury MP Tony Baldry and Oxford East MP Andrew Smith.

Mr Smith said: “He’s taking a very human initiative to a desperately sad situation.

“It’s a very unstable country, and Mugabe’s thugs have been known to beat people up, but I’d very much hope everyone in Zimbabwe will take it in the sport it is intended.”

Mr Baldry added: “I think it’s incredibly brave.”

The 373-mile bike ride will start in March and Mr Pantlin hopes the pair will arrive in Harare on April 18, the country’s independence day.

He plans to pipe loud music from speakers as he pedals and, despite his clown get-up, he will be flanked by two off-duty policemen for the journey.

Mr Pantlin has not taken a separate insurance policy for his trip, but claims to be covered by his annual policy.

A Foreign Office spokesman said: “Holy moly .... Of course it’s up to him, but he might want to check his travel insurance policy. “Some providers will not honour policies if someone has been seen to go directly against advice on the Foriegn Office website.”

Mr Pantlin wants to raise around £12,000 with his cycle ride for the Health Education and Learning Programme, HELP, Zimbabwe — to finish the building of an orphanage in central Zimbabwe.

awilliams@oxfordmail.co.uk