For most of 2002, James Tobin and Carolyn Sharples were pioneering an environmentally friendly journey from Beijing to London by tandem trike. The 16,000km Trike It expedition was supported by Terra Nova Equipment, which provided tents, sleeping bags and clothing to the participants. The pair had previously completed an 8,000km tandem tricycle ride across Canada, which as with this trip, was designed to show just what can be achieved with pedal power. They estimated that the journey took energy equivalent to just 15.5 litres of petrol, whereas the same journey by car would consume 1,454 litres.
Their journey began on 1 March, courtesy of Eurostar, and they made their way to Beijing by public transport. The return trip followed part of the Silk Road and part of the route said to have been taken by Marco Polo.
Before they left, 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.”
Terra Nova Equipment lent Trike It a Terra Nova Solar 2 ultra-lightweight two-person tent and sleeping bags from Terra Nova’s comprehensive range. Terra Nova Equipment clothing designed for both hot and cold climates, including Atacamic wicking tops and Extremities hats, gloves and socks, was also used.
The husband and wife team suffered illness, spent a terrifying night in a drug smuggling area and had 36 punctures, but ultimately the most daunting experience of the trip was back in England, and the cycle from Dover to Folkestone along the A21. Carolyn said:
“It was terrifying. The cars drove so fast and did not make allowances for us at all.”
Their expedition got great media coverage and raised awareness of the environmental issues, which prompted the expedition in the first place. Carolyn and James are currently in the process of writing a book about their travels, and updates on future plans can be found on their website.
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