On Saturday June 13, and Sunday, June 14, 47 cyclists took part in the inaugural 200-mile Earth, Wind and Tyre cycle ride from Durham, England to Edinburgh, Scotland in order to raise money for energy-poor communities in developing countries.
The ride was a huge success with riders reaching the finishing line at the Cannongate Kirk on the Royal Mile in Edinburgh. They received a huge welcome from volunteers, locals, and sponsors.
The ride was led by the CEO of EDF Energy Renewables Christian Egal. He and cyclists from 12 other renewable energy companies completed the grueling 200-mile ride, which passed 10 iconic wind farms and climbed the equivalent height of Mont Blanc over the course of two days. The cyclists passed through County Durham, Northumberland, the Scottish Borders and East Lothian on their way to Edinburgh. One of the riders, passionate cyclist Paul Errington, became legendary when he rode the whole route in one day and then set back to Newcastle the next morning.
These epic cyclists were cheered on along the route by a dedicated support team of volunteers and sponsors. Staff at Floors Castle welcomed the cyclists with soup and hot drinks, while the RES team at Duns prepared fresh smoothies using a cycle driven blender.
As well as cycling, the participants have been hard at work fundraising. Through the Earth, Wind and Tyre cycling ride, Renewable World is on track to raise approximately $55,000 to help families, businesses, and schools in energy-poor communities access life-changing clean energy and water. This target would not be possible without event sponsors Vestas, RES, EDF Energy Renewables and Blackwell, MPI Offshore, Athena PTS, Floors Castle and Cathie Associates.
“I can’t thank the cyclists enough taking on the 200-mile challenge,” said Sarah Donnelly, vice chair for Renewable World. “I’m so proud of everything that has been achieved this weekend and all the work the cyclists have put into training and fundraising over the past three months. I’ve seen the great work that Renewable World is doing in some of the poorest parts of the world first hand. The funds raised will help us to provide power to encourage self-sufficiency and alleviate poverty.”
Riders were well fed along the route, with all leftovers donated to the Street Work charity who provide meals and support to homeless people in need in Edinburgh.
Renewable World is a charity based in the United Kingdom that works with rural communities in Africa, Asia, and Central America developing and providing simple renewable energy systems to encourage self-sufficiency and alleviate poverty.
For more information about Renewable World, visit them on the web at www.renewable-world.org.
— Source: Renewable World
