On the 6th November I'm going to cycle 550 miles from London to Glasgow as part of the Racing Collective's 'Route to Net Zero' event, arriving at the COP26 a few days later. I'll ride between 120-150 miles per day over 4 days, which will be about 8-10 hours a day on the bike. It's a self-supported event which means I will carry everything I need for the trip and ride pretty much on my own. No feed stations or people to carry dry clothes! This with be TOUGH!

Why do this?

That's a short question with a few answers. I want to know that I can. I want to raise some money for a charity I believe in. I'd like to make people think about the impact of their transportation choice. If I can cycle 100+ miles a day for a few days then could you swap a car journey for a bike journey once or twice a week?

Why ride from London to Glasgow?

I live in Glasgow, so cycling to COP26 wouldn't be much of a challenge. The Racing Collective, a low impact cycling events group, is organising this event and starting it in London. Riding to Glasgow from London won't stop climate change any more than banging a saucepan on your doorstep stopped COVID-19. So why bother? Well, because I believe if you can do something good, then you should. I'll also (mostly) enjoy it. So it's a win-win.

What is COP26, and why then?

The COP26 summit in Glasgow will bring together world leaders and innovators to protect the future of our planet in an attempt to bring climate change under control. COP26 is a milestone in terms of action on climate change. It is an event behind closed doors for most of us, but that doesn't mean that we can't use it as our own milestone or motivator to take action. Many are taking the street as a statement of intent. I'm riding my bike to raise money for a charity I believe in.

Why World Bicycle Relief?

Their impact is direct, tangible and innovative. WBR saw that one of the most significant barriers to education, health, economic development, and equality in developing regions was a lack of accessible transportation. Getting low cost and appropriately designed bicycles to people is such an elegant solution. That's really the tip of what they do. I recommend watching a Ted Talk by their founder, F.K. Day, talking about their impact https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iqCzkjOH_sE&t=2s 

What would I like to achieve?

Raising £480 will provide 4 bicycles that will significantly improve a person's life. Making that happen will make all the effort worthwhile. Read more about the impact the charity creates https://worldbicyclerelief.org/the-impact/ with your donation.

But what about your carbon emissions!?

Good point! I'm aware that travelling all the way to London from the place I'm going to cycle to will have an environmental impact. I'm going to calculate and offset 150% of the carbon emissions of my challenge, which includes journey by train, accommodation and additional fuel required during the challenge (food by value). I'll publish details via social media and on here. This will be my own cost, as will all the other expenses of food, where I stay any travel that's not by bike.

Can I join you?

YES PLEASE! If you fancy joining me from your part of the country, I'd absolutely love the company and distraction from my aching legs, even if only for an hour.

Cycling and bicycles have been many things to me over my life. Fun, fitness, wellbeing, a job, a community. Cycling is a big part of my life and has helped me through some tough times, but if I’m honest, if I didn’t have cycling or a bicycle then I wouldn’t be much worse off, as I’m sure I would find another way to get the value it brings me. The same can’t be said for people that World Bicycle Relief support. The value they get from a bicycle is more practical but far more life-changing.