CHI Florence Challenge - CANCELLED

I was very much looking forward to a long distance cycling trip but I am starting to think this is a bit of gesture politics. In the face of 2000 people flying to CHI, several people cycling there is not enough. This climate change is serious business and we need to make some big decisions about changing the way we operate. How much CO2 emissions do you think 2,000 people flying will generate? (when you do the calculaton have a look at the radiative forcing effect too).

Planned Cycling to CHI

Carl Myhill is going to cycle to Florence from England (UK!) for the conference. Partly because he loves cycling and partly to make a point that it's not such an extreme thing to do. Google maps reckons it's 1,053 miles from here. It may take 10 days to get there (much less on a proper touring bike, though I was thinking of taking my new Bike Friday Tikit). He has recently been wondering whether other conference attendees would like to join the 'Tour De Florence' enroute. It could be a lot of fun and also an opportunity to network on the way!

Step 1: Figure out if the CHI Challenge is feasible

Issues

• Who's interested?
• Preparation
• Suggested Routes
• Suggested reading
• Scheduling
• Renting or buying equipment (bikes,helmets, locks)
• Van needed for luggages, spare parts? Or else a way to ship needed items from airport to conference hotel?
• Joining in en route
• Accomodations/hosting/camping en route
• Insurance/bike repair/medical care
• Financial backing needed ?
• Used as fundraiser/publicity for environmental groups? (Suggestions: Green Ribbon Pledge, Ecology Fund, Earth Share,  Nature Conservancy)
• T-shirts for participants and supporters ? (participant t-shirts might need to be something other than cotton)
• Bicycle Storage in Florence
• Blogging the experience

Need more information?

• Email Carl Myhill at  carl@litsl.com 
• Join the CHI-sustainability mailing list by going to  http://groups.google.com/group/sustainable-chi?hl=e