EarthRights

In this episode of the Cycle for Life series, Mel and Arthur reflect on the inability to avoid winter in Europe. They cycled through huge storms, including the 'Bura', which is a North-Westerly wind coming off the Velabit mountain range of Coatia, and nearly took them off their bikes. They experienced gusts of 125km/h and encountered snow on the islands of Croatia - unheard of! This epsiode explores the more lonely and stark side of cycling through the winter months.

5 days 5 borders - a conversation about the first 5 days of Mel and Arthur's cycle for life, through France, Switzerland, Northern Italy, Slovenia and into Croaita. A sunny and mountainous start, foggy and flat middle, and a final 50k along a blissful stretch of the Slovenian-Mediterranean coast on Euro Velo 8. An Epic first chapter of their journey.

Episode 2 reflects on Mel and Arthur's time in Sardinia with Highlining Bounceland crew. Beautiful memories were created. The community in the hills of Mekey's Farm next to Samugheo was established a few years ago by some highliners. It was thanks to 76 year old farmer, Mekey, that highliners and climbers are able to use his gorgeous land to train, build community and learn new skills. The community has grown over the past 3 years and now there are delicious veggies being grown, hundreds of chickens, cows with charming, chiming ringing bells and trees to be tended to and chopped for fire wood. A possibile future episode inspired by this one could be on access to outdoor spaces and sports. Mel has reflected a lot on this in the past years; on the privilege and the lack of diversity that sometimes consumes outdoor spaces and mountain sports. It's important for there to be justice and equality in sports and leisure moving forward.