I can't wait for Friends of the Earth's Big Green Bike Ride

Amelia Collins

16 May 2011

I've been working on images for our forthcoming bike ride from London to Edinburgh and have, honestly, felt fairly indifferent to it. I've been plagued by injury and had to sell my much loved road bike, so felt a long distance cycle ride was not for me.

Then last weekend I was driving from London to York up the A1 and was lucky enough to stay on the river Derwent - following much of the route that the bike ride will take.

And I was, as happens every year, blown away by the UK countryside in spring. Nothing beats it. Who needs to travel abroad?

Then I got to thinking 'Why drive?'

Every step of the way I was longing to stop the car and jump out with my camera. What better way to do this than on a bike? I simply have to take part in the Big Green Bike Ride.

I'm inspired. I'm sure there will be moments of doubt when the training starts and injury may get the better of me, but in the meantime I can't wait.

I'm fortunate to have many friends and family along the route, based in Essex, Cambridgeshire, Peterborough, York and Edinburgh - I'll have to start persuading them to come out and support me and all the riders next May.

If like me, you feel apprehensive for whatever reason, just take a look outside and jump on your bike for a few minutes and imagine how great it would be to see so much of the UK on a beautiful May day, the sense of achievement at the end of a day's cycling and the opportunity to raise money for a great cause.

Here's where you can find out all about the Big Green Bike Ride.

Amelia Collins, Creative Communications team