Check out this animated version (it’s pretty cool!) of our ride Wednesday from San Diego, up and through the Laguna Mountains, to Julian CA.
The shortest mileage of the tour (75 miles), with almost the most climbing (8000 feet+). Slow and hot (max 102F/ 44C). But some rugged mountain scenery.
Here’s today’s “climate breadcrumb“.
#ccan#rockspringucc#climateride#curealz#solarvillageproject#pactour
San Diego sits right on the US Mexico border…the intersection of the global North and global South, more and less “developed”. Tensions over the environment add to all the mess over migration, trade, jobs, drugs between the two countries.
The US claims that the Tijuana River carries raw sewage from Mexico into the US and then straight into the Pacific Ocean—human waste, unimaginable chemicals. Meanwhile plastic, tires, all sorts of garbage literally pile up 12-15 feet deep in places on the coastline.
Some efforts have begun (1) to contain the problem. Still, fingers point South. But right back at ya, US. The US produces 4 times as much carbon dioxide emissions as Mexico per person; 12 times as much in total. But Mexico pumps it out too; a bit more in total than the UK. That surprised me. (2)
So who’s worse? Finger pointing is pointless. International cooperation is so badly needed. So glad the US is back in the Paris Accord. Hope that COP26 (the United Nations climate change conference), starting in November, achieves some meaningful progress.
1. Https://www.cbs8.com/article/tech/science/environment/tijuana-river-trash-border/509-b87b34ad-c576-4cf8-9e43-9e940b73ce58
2. https://www.ucsusa.org/…/each-countrys-share-co2-emissions
#ccan #rockspringucc #climateride #solarvillageproject
Spent a couple of days in San Diego before the PACTOUR Southern Transcontinental bike ride starts tomorrow, known to me as A Climate Ride to Remember.
The jersey I’m wearing was designed by my wonderful children, and the text on the back in one of the photos explains it all. In memory of Valerie, with the flags of each of the countries we lived in together (the US, England, Zambia, Sri Lanka, Viet Nam, Nigeria).
The ocean in the photo is of course the Pacific. The cross is atop Soledad Mountain. And over the horizon lies Savannah GA!
Subscribe to this blog via the widget in the right column. In addition to these ride updates, you’ll receive a trail of climate breadcrumbs – posts about climate issues relevant to each region we ride through.
#ccan #rockspringucc #climateride #curealz #solarvillageproject #pactour
Getting ready for the coast-to coast ride! The bike has been shipped to San Diego.
People have asked about the route. This map shows the cities and towns that we will stay in. Google Maps filled in routes; we will probably ride something different.
How does one get an older body ready for a 2,908-mile 27-day bike ride? That’s about 108 miles per day, on average. No rest days! Basically by riding a lot! With humility and realism. My motto has become: “Not fast; just persistent.”
Our tour leader recommends the “goal of 300.” Ride 300 miles per week (about double my average for the past several years) for 8 weeks ahead of the tour, with increasing distances and several back-to-back centuries. In the HEAT, please! A friend and I rode the entire Skyline Drive (a mountainous 110 mile ride along the ridge of the Appalachians) one day. Then back on a slightly flatter route the next. In the past 8 weeks, I have ridden ten 100 mile-plus rides, several way longer.
Diet? Eat a lot! Sensible stuff, of course! And drink, drink, drink! Perhaps the most important, to ensure electrolyte replacement.
Here are a couple of other “training” rides in a different format. Lots of stats. But some of the rides are just beautiful.
#ccan #rockspringucc #climateride #curealz #solarvillageproject #pactour
Join/follow me on a 27-day bike ride across the southern USA, starting September 8, 2,900 miles from San Diego, CA to Tybee Island, near Savannah, GA. Watch this blog for a “climate breadcrumb trail” – periodic notes about climate challenges and responses along our route.
I am doing this ride for fun and fulfillment, but I am also riding to remember and to look forward. In short, I am remembering Valerie, my wife of 47 years, who died in January 2021 of younger-onset Alzheimer’s and to support the Cure Alzheimer’s Fund.
And I am looking forward to a just and sustainable world for my young grandchildren – under the banner of Climate Ride, I will support the Solar Village Project, championed by my church, Rock Spring United Church of Christ; and the Chesapeake Climate Action Network.
Cure Alzheimer’s Fund (also a tribute to Valerie) https://curealz.org/outreach/in-memory/valerie-bell/
Climate Ride https://support.climateride.org/participant/Michael-Bell
A Climate Ride to Remember 