Let’s make a difference on climate change

This year I am doing 3 hard bike rides to try and make a difference on climate change. I encourage you to do the same - not the rides necessarily, but the action on climate change.

I am 61. My knees are dodgy, my back hurts, and I have a stoma – courtesy of a bladder cancer operation in 2021. But in spite of the challenges, cycling is the perfect way of drawing attention to the climate crisis – low tech, no emissions, close to nature.

Where?

The 3 rides are hard , even for someone young and fit. To complete them, I will need to complete over 10 kilometres of vertical ascent – get to the top of Mount Everest and keep climbing.

The first ride in May is the Fred Whitton Challenge - probably the hardest bike ride in the UK; tackling 10 steep passes in the Lakes, including the 30% slopes of Hardknott Pass

In mid-summer I will be in France for a multi-day challenge, taking in 3 legendary climbs of the Tour de France - Mont Ventoux, Col de la Croix de Fer and Alpe d'Huez

And I finish in September in Scotland - riding up Bealach Na Ba , the biggest road climb in the UK

Why?

Since I was born, our wildlife populations have declined by 70%. Last year was the hottest in recorded history. C02 levels are rising. Coral reefs are dying, glaciers are melting, storms are brewing, forests are burning, crops are failing…..the list goes on. And this is putting all our futures at risk.

But it is not too late to make a difference. Every 0.1 C is worth fighting for.

It is still, just, possible for me to imagine a safe and beautiful future for my grandson. Renewables are cheaper than fossil fuels. We can do better than this. If we act on the science – now - we can still make a difference. Politicians and big companies are struggling to show leadership, so it is down to us.

That is why I am doing these rides. I want to challenge myself, and you, to get more active in doing something about climate change.

Specifically - what can you do?

In addition to riding with me, and generously sponsoring me of course - here are 8 things you can do about climate change

Who?

I am raising funds for three organisations, working at international level, nationally in the UK and in my local community. Each of them is taking action at a different level to prevent and mitigate the worst of climate change:

Practical Action - a charity working internationally at the forefront of climate change

Christian Climate Action - an organisation campaigning nationally in the UK

Greener Hassocks and Ditchling - a local organisation building stronger local communities to help combat climate change

If you’ve read this far, many thanks! Please consider donating, and/or getting directly involved in action on climate change. And do get in touch with me if you have any questions.

Allez, Allez, Allez (encouragement to the riders on the Tour de France)