Maybe you’ve been lucky enough to meet emma-louise already. If that’s the case, then you don’t need us to tell what a kind and generous person she is – that shines through to anyone right away. She’s a long time Climate Rider who has elevated many of our events and inspired folks to push themselves to do more than they imagined they could.
This year, to celebrate turning 50, she’s taking on the biggest challenge of her life and participating in the Ride Across Britain (RAB), a grueling trek that connects the furthest two points possible that you can ride in the UK without hopping on a boat. Starting at Land’s End, she’ll pedal the rugged Cornwall coast, through the rolling hills of Northern England and then cross the Scottish highlands to end John O’Groats. That’s nearly 1,000 miles in just nine days! And she’s doing it to support Climate Ride!
If you want to join her, you can donate here. Read on to learn what motivates emma-louise to take on this big event!
Climate Ride (CR): What inspired you to take on the Ride Across Britain?
emma-louise anderson (ELA): I turned 50 last November which was a big milestone for me. I also went through some challenging life circumstances at the end of last year which made me realize you have to seize the day, set goals, and just try. If not now, when?
CR: What message do you have for others who might be considering taking on a big challenge for a cause they believe in?
ELA: Don’t be afraid – go for it! Once you have the right mindset of “I can do this” anything is possible (and if you’re still doubting then message me personally). It also really helps to be inspired for an organization or cause. A production company in the UK puts on the RAB but I wanted to do it as an Independent Challenge so I could raise funds for Climate Ride. Big thanks to Caeli and Patrick for wading through days of British legalese so CR could become a charity partner.
CR: What kind of training and preparation have you been doing for the Ride Across Britain?
ELA: Long, long days in the saddle mostly at weekends with some shorter rides during the week. I have been riding 2 or 3 centuries every month since May. I also cross-train with swimming and yin yoga.
CR: What’s the biggest personal challenge you anticipate facing during the ride?
ELA: Making the cut off times each day. I am a long-distance rider but I’m not fast but I believe I can do it.
CR: How has training for this event impacted your daily life and mindset?
ELA: The last 8 months my life has revolved around RAB training and thinking and preparing for the ride. I’m really excited but there are days, if I’m honest, when I wonder what on Earth I’m doing?! But mostly excitement at the challenge and gratitude for being in good enough health and strong enough to complete it.
CR: What are you most looking forward to about the ride?
ELA: I grew up in the UK – in London – but never biked aside from playing in the streets and biking to school as I always took public transportation (anyone who knows me well knows how much I love the Tube!). So I’m most looking forward to seeing the country where I grew up from the vantage of a bicycle (always a better view than being in a car) and also getting to know Scotland and the Highlands as I’ve spent barely any time there.
CR: Why did you choose to support Climate Ride specifically?
ELA: I had always wanted to do a long-distance bike ride over multiple days but I didn’t have a connection to other charities. In 2015 I found Climate Ride and did my first event in Northern California. It was life-changing. I met friends I will have forever, and became part of the Climate Ride family. I had never left my (then little) children overnight before so it was important to me that they understood I was doing this for something that was really close to my heart and important – raising funds and awareness for climate change.
Since then I’ve completed 24 climate rides and ridden all over the US. In this country, less than 3% of all charitable giving annually goes to environmental causes and this includes animals. We need to do a better job of communicating and providing vital resources for organizations doing the important work to combat climate change.
CR: You said climate change is a cause that is close to your heart. How has it affected you?
ELA: We live in rural west Marin in the Bay Area and since 2017 we have experienced terrible air quality from local wildfires which especially affects my son who has asthma. Some days we are unable to leave the house or conduct any activities outside… We are certainly not alone in this and so many communities across the country (and world) have tragically lost their homes in these mega fires. The Woodward Fire in 2022 burned just 12 miles from our home – we live with emergency evacuation bags by the front door.
CR: It seems like there’s nowhere that isn’t impacted by climate change at this point. But anyone who has chatted with you knows that a large part of your work and advocacy is devoted to trying to help the folks who are most vulnerable to the climate crisis because of systemic injustices. Why is environmental justice important to you?
ELA: So many of the people who are most affected by and disproportionately exposed to the worst negative impacts of climate change are in underserved communities with little or no resources to mitigate against environmental hazards including extreme heat, wildfires, drought, hurricanes, highways cutting through communities and causing ever-worsening air quality… It is my life’s work and passion to shed a light on these disparities and work to redress the past harms done.
CR: How can people follow along with your journey during RAB?
ELA: Unfortunately they can’t. I am so low-tech it’s laughable. I don’t have a smart watch or bike computer, nor do I use any tracking apps… I have completed my training using RPE (rate of perceived exertion – really old school). Although technologies and tools are excellent and I’m sure they can improve performance, you can do long-distance cycling without expensive tech products. I will, however, be updating friends, family, supporters very often (though I can’t promise daily).
CR: We’re big fans of taking the opportunity to be low-tech and disconnect whenever possible! How can people get involved with Climate Ride or other environmental organizations in their own communities?
ELA: Go to climateride.org/events and find an event that excites you (bike, hike or swim). If a 4 or 5-day ride seems intimidating then you can join a Green Fondo, which is a two-day weekend event. There’s also a 1-day wine country ride in California that has 4 route options from 11 to 81 miles – there’s something for everyone. Or go online and find a local organization that inspires you and get involved.
CR: What’s the most surprising or heartwarming thing that’s happened since you started this journey?
ELA: This journey started on my first climate ride in 2015 and I dreamed of riding with my kids. My daughter Victoria and I have now completed 4 climate rides together (she did her first in 2021 aged 11 and was faster than me, even then) and my son Julian did his first earlier this year. It’s really so heartwarming that they train and fundraise so we can do rides together and ask me when the next ride will be…
CR: Anything else you think we should know?
ELA: Although I absolutely love biking, I really identify as a swimmer. Look out for Climate Swim 2025!
I was so inspired by the film about Diana Nyad swimming from Cuba to Florida aged 64 (110 miles). On the beach in Florida she told reporters three things:
- you should never, ever give up
- you are never too old to chase your dreams
- it looks like a solitary sport but it takes a team
Sitting on a bike is a solo endeavor but I wouldn’t even be at the starting line without my team… thank you to all my generous donors; the entire Climate Ride team for everything; thank you to Ali & Rick & the Seed Fund for ongoing support and being on the climate journey together; to my Climate One team – Greg & Dave for all your support and patience during my “chatty” social rides; Robyn & Adam for being the best support crew and friends ever; my CR family Jackie, Arend and KJ and of course thank you to Victoria & Julian for your unwavering belief in my ability to do this. I look forward to Sunday morning breakfasts together again.
If you’d like to support emma-louise’s Ride Across Britain, you can make a donation here.