Seven Cycles announced today that they have formed a partnership with Cycling Silk to become the official bike supplier for their upcoming yearlong journey. Cycling Silk is both an epic adventure and an exercise in environmental advocacy. The 2011 expedition’s aim is to explore and promote conservation across borders as a force for peace, environmental integrity and sustainable development in mountainous regions along the famous Silk Road from Istanbul to India.
Cycling Silk is comprised of two scientist/ explorers, Kate Harris and Melissa Yule. Kate is a writer, wilderness conservationist, adventurer and photographer. She won a Rhodes Scholarship to Oxford University where she completed her Master’s thesis on transboundary conservation and peace parks. She also holds a Master’s degree from MIT in earth and planetary sciences. Melissa is a social scientist, environmentalist and endurance athlete. In her work and research, Mel combines community development with environmental science to study ecological impacts on human health. She holds a Master’s degree in International Development from the University of Guelph, and is currently a researcher at the International Development Research Centre in Canada.
Throughout the duration of their trip, Harris and Yule will conduct research to develop case studies on conservation and advocate for eight existing or proposed Transboundary Protected Areas or “Peace Parks” along the mountainous route. They have planned periodic stops along their route to survey the regions, meet with local inhabitants, and continually update followers via their website.
The duo are using bikes to enable the autonomous and adventurous exploration of remote transboundary wildernesses, and to reinforce the notion of the Silk Road as a landscape of continuity, despite the borders that attempt to divide it. In the process, they hope to inspire others to get outside and ride bikes and explore the wild and look beyond borders. Both Kate and Mel will be riding Seven’s Expat S expedition bikes.
“Mel and I are so indescribably thrilled and honored at this chance to ride Sevens down the Silk Road,” said Kate Harris. “With this type of self-supported expedition, having bikes that are utterly dependable and tailored just for us means two fewer things to be concerned about,” added Harris.
“Kate and Mel’s approach to cycling and environmental stewardship fits perfectly with our company philosophy,” said Mattison Crowe, Marketing Manager for Seven Cycles. “Not only do they embrace the challenge, but through their efforts, strive to create an environmental impact many orders of magnitude larger than themselves. On top of all that, this adventure represents an ideal proving ground for our bikes.”