Rocky Planet Ride

The Rocky Planet Ride - cycling the Inner Solar System

 

Approaching my 50th birthday, and wanting to keep body and soul together, I sought a big but achievable multi-year challenge. I decided to cycle the equatorial distance of all planets, dwarf planets and their moons between the sun and the outer reaches of the asteroid belt within a single ‘sunspot’ cycle (11 years) - the ‘Rocky Planet Ride’. This constitutes circumnavigation of the following:

 

Body (Circumference, incl.error) [Circumnavigation dates]

I hope I don’t need to point out that the ride is a very long way, amounting to 134,550 km. To achieve this, I will have effectively cycled across Britain every day for the 11 years (‘Antonine Wall route’). Most of my cycling has indeed been in Britain, but I have also journeyed across many parts of the globe, clocking-up thousands of kilometres in multiple countries in Europe, Asia and North America - and mostly on a folding bike. This has been exhilarating, I’ve been to fantastic places, seen unforgettable sights, and met amazing people. However, the endeavour has not escaped its physical mishaps, 6 weeks out of action following shoulder surgery, a spell of Covid-19 and countless punctures!

 

I am using the Rocky Planet Ride to raise money for a good cause, the British Lung Foundation. I’m supporting this, for two reasons. Firstly, my Dad, Alan, an inspiring man who made the best of life and was almost always active - died of Pulmonary Fibrosis, a debilitating lung disease a few years ago. The limited epidemiology of the disease and inadequacy of therapies was very apparent during his illness, and highlighted the need for more research. Secondly, it is clear that there are many other lung damage conditions, particularly in relation to the long-term impacts of Covid-19, that similarly are crying out for further research. To enable the development of new treatments, including improved medication, more funding is badly needed.

 

Many great people have already sponsored the Rocky Planet Ride. However, I am - whilst 'circumnavigating the dwarf planet Ceres' in the last month of the cycle - still looking for further support. Please consider contributing; the last donation will be just as valuable to the sprit of the mission as the first! Respiratory diseases are an increasing concern globally and the work of the British Lung Foundation is important in making progress to develop solutions to avoidable suffering.  I can say with confidence that you are unlikely to be invited to sponsor a longer event!

 

Please feel free to pass on this message; apologies for any cross-posting, or if you have already contributed anonymously,  but this is for a very good cause!