Berlin is cold and wet. The sky is a bleak grey as it has been since Serbia. That was when Winter first hit and it hasn’t let up. The worst of it was in the south of the Czech Republic, snow, ice, wind, rain, for 2 and a half days straight. I bought thick water proof winter boots to cycle in because all my other footwear was soaked and my feet had been numb for hours. I feel a bit silly now because these boots are so big, they are hard to walk in and hard to carry around on the bike.
Its only 3 weeks to go from here and the reality of a finish line is setting in. Its hard to know what I feel about it. On the one hand its an incredible relief, after travelling for so long the end is in sight. I can finally rest my legs for a while. But on the other hand I am starting to think about what I am going to have to do afterwards. What am I going to do? I have put off answering this question for about one and a half years but I can’t any more. Get a job?
Now that I am nearing Copenhagen there are a lot of questions I need to answer. The practicalities of arranging the Ride Planet Earth event takes up most of my time when I am not cycling, telling media about what the COP15 means, telling people who want to join me for the final stages of the journey what they need to bring and what they should expect from travelling on the road. But I have to ask myself, has it been worth it?
Increasingly I read that government leaders have already decided Copenhagen is too soon to agree on a path towards stopping climate change. So what are we all doing? All the many many thousands of us, environmentalists, activists, mad cyclists, who have devoted so many hours, weeks and months to convince the international governments that they need to take action now. It many ways it seems in vain. The negotiations may come and go with no discernible legislative change, with no concrete plan to reduce emissions to safe levels or fund the actions necessary to keep people in the poorest countries safe from the droughts, floods and storms that are hitting them ever harder.
Well, on a personal level at least I can say it has been worthwhile. My universe has changed. I have seen so many things I never imagined. Surreal landscapes that looked to me as if I had cycled onto another planet. Beautiful people living simple lives, pre-industrial lives, that are harsh but tied so closely to the environment around them that they have something, a special relationship, that we in the developed world have all but lost. The most inspirational thing has been the people. I have met such incredible people, people doing everything they can, people wholly committed to the protection of our planet, working at it in the most unlikely places, East Timor, Kazakhstan, Mongolia.
I have learnt a great deal about myself, about what I am capable of, I have learnt to appreciate and enjoy solitude, my own company. I have learnt to survive in harsh weather and harsh terrain and to be constantly optimistic. Whenever a problem occurred in was eventually solved, even when it seemed unsolvable. I am much more confident than I was before, confident in my own abilities, confident in the kindness and hospitality of people all over the world, that we can all get along with one another if we take the time to get to know each other. I am glad that I have changed, because I think it will help me in the future. I met challenges, and overcame them, and now I have the belief that I and we can keep doing that.
So back to Copenhagen. Has the part of my journey that has been about encouraging, motivating, mobilising action on climate change, has that been worth it? I think so, I’m sure of it. I believe, more than before I left Brisbane, I believe that the human community has the capacity to make the changes necessary to protect our planet. I think Ride Planet Earth is just one of the examples of people already taking action. I think that with so many good, willing and committed people, working so hard to look after the planet, we can’t help but be successful, even if the governments start following the people instead of the other way around.
Hey Kim,
I was in Berlin a few weeks ago, and it was the coldest place I had ever been to- I can’t imagine what this last leg has been like for you. And just so you know, your trip has raised my awareness of climate change. I tell the people I meet about your journey, and to look you up and see how far you have come to raise awareness of climate change. Good luck in the final few weeks.
Kim a ajuns la Berlin - admin @ http://bloguri.biciclete.net // Nov 18, 2009 at 10:23 pm
[...] Kim a ajuns la Berlin Salut! Daca ti-a placut acest articol e bine sa stii ca ne poti urmari mai departe pe Twitter sau poti primi in fiecare dimineata noutatile din acest site pe email: click aici.“Berlin is cold and wet. The sky is a bleak grey as it has been since Serbia”, a?a î?i începe Kim articolul pe blogul s?u despre 17 noiembrie 2009, ziua 466 a c?l?toriei sale. [...]
I too have been cycling to the Copenhagen summit, but a much shorter distance, from Wales.
I too have been wondering what to do when I finish. I think about trying to get a lift on yacht and go to the USA, and trying to get an electrically assisted velomobile to cycle.
But then I have another idea – a zero carbon world concert for a zero carbon world, all powered by green electricity, with venues all over the world, on the internet. This could be timed to happen just before the next COP (I’m not sure where and when that is). I hope it would be as big as the Live Aid concerts
Nice one guys, all the best for the final few days! Like the
“even if the governments start following the people instead of the other way around.” especially!
Hey Kim,
Have got back to the UK where I can safely access your blog. It’s incredibly heartening and inspiring to see how far you’ve gone since we saw you in Beijing.
Well done and keep the good work up.
Natan
Glad that you almost there, the journey is fantastic. Hopefully something positive might come out of Copenhagen, it might not be too big, at least a step towards the right direction. Meanwhile, the Liberals are tearing themselves to pieces debating whether Global warming is real or not !!! Regards from Oz !
ADMIRATION for your persistence is what I want to express. Of course all your efforts are worth wile !! Persons like you are the ones who make people think about our world and what should and can be done. That is how, hopefully soon, things will change.
Going back to the “normal” world will be difficult for you after such an experience. You surely could write a book, maybe meant for young people, they are the men and women of to-morrow which definitely can make the necessary changes. Or /and you can join an organisation which is struggling for a better world.
My very best wishes for a successfull end of this large voyage, and you know : you’re always welcome here. Annie
Hi there,
People say everyone ought to become comfy making decisions with uncertainty. So even when you are not sure about outcome of summit, you raised awareness and the word is spreading =)
Good luck on final days!
Greetings from Vietnam/Prague/US
Hi Kim,
Just read about your ride on the Vietnamese site vnexpress.net. Glad that you are doing something for the cause of the whole globe. Berlin is cold (I know it!) but Copenhagen must be much much colder man. Keep going. If you are passing through Hanoi let have a beer to celebrate the warm Hanoi and teh warm-hearted Vietamese.
why dont you comeback to VN..maybe you think there’s not your motherland,dont you.. ?
Hi Paul,
Can you speak Vietnamese language so you can read this : Duong di kho,khong kho vi ngan song cach nui ma kho vi long nguoi ngai nui e song.
Look after yourself.
Congratulation to you!
Minh Hoang
Hello Kim,
Great efforts!
We do not see Vietnam as one of your destinations. We wonder if you’re planning to visit Vietnam on this trip and, if yes, when? If no, is there any reason why not ? Just curious.
Good luck & thanks in advance while waiting for your reply.
Fab
Hi Kim,
What you did is really worth!You has become a extraordinary ambassador for the challenging process of enhancing awareness over environment protection. We are now having billions of people living all over the world, and if only each of us could think and do some small thing everyday to protect and regain the nature balances, the future of human being would be much more promising. We hope the last open statement of Michael Jackson “We only have 4 years to change” would be turned around to be of positive meaning then!
I am now in Copenhagen but I may not have chance to join you here as I will come back to Vietnam soon. Keep it up and best wishes to you! Quang BH
Hey – you have inspired me to write about this and raise as much awareness in the media that I can. I hope you right a book one day – your blogs are beautiful!
I was at Ride Melbourne today, where we heard about your amazing project & ride from people who know you. Amazingly inspiring. & your blog posts are great, I’m looking forward to the next installment(s).
Hey Kim,
Got the news that you have completed your bicycle journey around the globe, CONGRATULATIONS!!! You have set an everlasting impression & example on persistence, determination, endurance, courage, strength, and good will. Keep up the good work!
Now, are you going to ride bicycle back to Australia too? J/K.
Hi Kim, sou you finished your journey?! One of many to come yet. Sunday was raining and cold, rather then proving I can still ride the bike I planted last trees. They provide great reward for little effort. Should you ever come back to Prague come along and see them growing, it is relaxing place for all friends. Be good, MaTus (49°54’11.1″N, 14°39’41″E )
Hey Kim congratulations! I’ve really enjoyed reading your blog and the incredible insights you’ve shared along the way.
I’m glad you think it was worth it! It must all be worth it regardless of what delegates decide in Copenhagen! We / People are changing! Our universe is changing and a little bit of it has changed due to what you and others who take action have done! People criticized John Lennon and Yoko Ono for staying in bed! What difference could that make? Who can say what it takes to turn the tide?
Well done! You’re an inspiration.
Some news from Australia.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/12/09/2766600.htm
Another article about you, about us… this time in Romania:
http://climatechange.thinkaboutit.eu/think2/post/a_message_from_romanian_cyclists_for_leaders_in_copenhagen/
Well done, Kim!
the tiny thing
Kylie Batt // May 4, 2010 at 2:52 am
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Berlin is cold and wet. The sky is a bleak grey as it has been since Serbia. That was when Winter first hit and it hasn’t let up…..
Kylie Batt // May 19, 2010 at 11:35 pm
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