Terra Nova tents have been breaking new ground once again. James Tobin and Carolyn Sharples have completed a pioneering journey from Beijing to London by tandem trike supported by Terra Nova Equipment.
“Fascinating, rewarding and very hard work”
Were the words James Tobin and Carolyn Sharples used to describe the 12,000km trip.
The pair travelled on their recumbent trike through two continents and nine countries over the eight-month expedition and were supplied with high-performance Terra Nova tents, sleeping bags and clothing to support them on the journey.
James Tobin commented:
“All the Terra Nova equipment was of excellent standard and high quality. The tent in particular stood up to eight months of abuse with the weather and conditions it was exposed to. I was reluctant that we needed a –18C sleeping bag, but I am now grateful we had such a quality bag.”
The trip took them across rugged mountainous regions and inhospitable terrain, and tested them and their equipment to their limits.
“We had to pitch the tent in a violent sand storm in China, but managed to take shelter in the tent before the worst of the storm hit us.”
Terra Nova also provided clothing designed for both hot and cold climates, including Atacamic wicking tops and Extremities hats, gloves and socks. These proved to be invaluable in the extreme climate changes, from the icy winds blowing in from Siberia to the sticky 50C heat of Southern Russia.
Terra Nova Equipment Ltd sales and marketing director Carolyn Budding said:
“James and Carolyn’s equipment faced up to some tough tests over the eight months, and we’re delighted that Terra Nova’s gear proved the best of British. The expedition proved an interesting and worthwhile campaign in the best tradition of those supported by Terra Nova.”
The Beijing to London expedition was designed to show just what can be achieved with pedal power. James and Carolyn have estimated that the journey took the energy equivalent of just 15.5 litres of petrol, whereas the same journey by car would have consumed 1,454 litres.
Carolyn Sharples said:
“The Beijing to London trip is part of an ongoing campaign to raise awareness of human-powered transport and encourage people to use pedal power to reduce the amount of CO² being released into the atmosphere and, therefore, slow the rate of climate change.”
You can read more about the Trike It trip at www.trikeit.co.uk.