After pedaling 12,993 miles, two cyclists made a pit stop in Gainesville Thursday as part of a worldwide bicycle tour to promote solar energy.
About 50 people attended the cyclists’ presentation that highlighted their journey and the benefits of solar power in Smathers Library East. The presentation was part of UF’s SolarCycle Week, a campaign revolving around the cyclists’ visit.
Cyclists Susie Wheeldon, Jamie Vining and Iain Henderson left from London City Hall last May and have been raising money for SolarAid, a poverty and climate change charity in the U.K.
They have also created a blog, The SolarCycle Diaries.
Henderson was unable to attend the presentation.
Wheeldon showed the crowd the solar panels on her bicycle. The panels power the team’s cell phones and tracking devices.
She said the inspiration behind the journey stemmed from a Gloria Steinem quote: “We can tell our values by looking at our checkbook stubs.”
“I looked at my checkbook stubs and realized that, although I was a wonderful person and very charitable and very giving, I would spend a very long time in the pub; and maybe I should try to spend more time thinking about how I can live better and more sustainably,” Wheeldon said.
The team traveled an average of 82.75 miles per day, Wheeldon said.
After the presentation, audience members asked what the cyclists found along the road.
Vining said he found a cowboy hat in Texas.
“It perfectly molds to my head, and I’ve kept it as a souvenir ever since,” Vining said.
Wheeldon and Vining will be leaving Gainesville for Miami on Saturday.
