Ride the Change was all about the people, here we spotlight a few of the 175 riders that took part in the 500+ mile cycle from London to Glasgow, October 24-31, 2021.

Ride the Change was all about the people, here we spotlight a few of the 175 riders that took part in the 500+ mile cycle from London to Glasgow, October 24-31, 2021.
Matt Hocking: I discussed this ride with Hermione back a few years, back pre-covid, I'm all about alternative activism, so ridivism works as a cycle lover, rather than re-activism or inactivism, I've spent 20 years doing all I can for people and planet with my design agency leap.eco but we all need to show up and act in every way we can to draw attention to the futures ahead, this was an opportunity to show up, share my voice and leg power in riding for change, and people are loving the whole pledge not ££ way, I've had so many say they didn't know their pledges had an impact when I explain it's not just carbon, it saves them money, helps their fitness/wellbeing, it's a win-win. Legs for pledges:) Plus I'm 50 in November and my love handles need work.
Nicola Baird: Helping to get people I know talking more about climate crisis and the COP26 meeting - it makes it more personal.
Matt Hocking, Cornwall and Nicola Baird, London.
Craig Boggon: Keen about child and people health and wellbeing. Feel society can be a whole lot better if it adopted car free cities. Bikes are life! Motion is lotion!
Claire Marion: Ride the Change brings together my two passions: cycling and climate change! I love bike touring and the feeling of freedom that comes with it. I am also deeply concerned about the climate crisis and have been volunteering for various charities for a number of years to try and do my bit, and become the best antidote for climate anxiety is ACTION! I am at COP26 to represent Climate Fresk, a climate change education charity. Climate Fresk run workshops using a serious game based on the IPCC reports. In only 3 hours, participants can understand our climate system and the consequences of its disruption. The workshop fosters team spirit and collective intelligence. So far, more than 210,000 people have participated in a workshop, and the facilitator's community counts more than 9,000 facilitators in 42 countries!
Jennifer Plummer: I've been thinking about cycling to COP for 2 years now and have a passion for cycling and want to shine a spotlight on the COP26 climate conference.
Chris Cayley: I cycled to COP15 in Copenhagen and vowed I would ride to another COP. When it was scheduled for Glasgow it was time. I’ve also been a Trustee at Possible so heard about the plans and was introduced to DoNation, so everything came together!
Anne Dixon: I wanted to show that I loved my grandchildren enough to make this effort to help ensure their future. I could see friends taking different actions and wondered what I could do to show people my concern - something more than words- which would demonstrate the level of effort we need to make to bring about change in our attitudes and lifestyles.
Kristien Lust: Worried about the state of our planet, I want to inspire people to take action!
Bénédicte Herbout: Making climate action fun and enjoyable, showing that adventure can be in your backyard!
Claire Bonham-Carter: To send a powerful message of the need for action to leaders and raise awareness among friends and colleagues.
Ben Smith: I wanted to make a statement linked to COP26.
Matt Hocking: I am hoping that the talk is over, it's real seismic action now and for the future, no more wrangling over whose doing what, this is the pivotal conference of our time, however, we can't wait on world leaders/governments we've all got a role to play. I'd love to see the Betterbusinessact.org come into legislation. We've got to create balance for all and protect our natural and social capital. After all a healthy planet = a healthy population (WHO). And of course, the way things are are not the way they have to be. Together we do this. Optimism and action all the way.
Nicola Baird:
Craig Boggon: So far local authorities need clear power to make local changes to cycling infrastructure. National rail needs to be national again not for companies and enable better public transport. We need to lower car use drastically and implement similar enforcements such as the smoking ban on driving under 10km!
Jennifer Plummer: I hope to raise awareness of the conference via participating in the Ride. I want to see pressure on world leaders to agree and (importantly) implement meaningful policies that avert climate catastrophe. I want our Government to 'get its house in order' and show integrity and money towards climate action and cutting carbon emissions.
Craig Boggon, Newcastle upon Tyne and Jennifer Plummer, London.
Chris Cayley: I hope to see some genuine leadership from our political leaders and a recognition that the time for action is now.
Anne Dixon: I don’t need to hope. I can see it happening already! I can see the concern for the planet and our future in the people on the ride and the people we speak with as we travel. This is a grassroots movement and we all know this is how real change comes about. When a body of people come together in this way to say something their collective voice is amplified and hard to ignore. Politicians and world leaders will listen if we speak with one strong and confident voice.
Patrick McCool: To show that the people want real action to deliver the change needed - there is so much to do if we want to keep global heating below 1.5°C.
Bénédicte Herbout: For COP26 not much is to be expected I’m afraid, but for what people are doing next to COP, such as Ride the Change: sharing positive narratives and show we are ready for, and demand change.
Claire Bonham-Carter: I want an end to fossil fuel subsidies!
Ben Smith: The ride should raise awareness of the actions we can take as individuals. From COP I would like to see commitments that support a pathway on or very near 1.5°C.
Liam Callaghan: Raise general awareness around everything we consume (food/clothing/energy) and that more people realise that cycling is for everyone and available to the general masses. One thing (and there are lots) that I would like to see come from COP26 is that more towns/cities/countries adopt/install more and more cycle paths and greenways which make it more sustainable and economical for people to travel and commute.
Derek Dishman: To tread more lightly on the earth and to inspire others to cycle more.
Kristien Lust: Obviously I hope world leaders will take action, but I would also like us all to get out of our comfort zone and think about what we can do to help our planet in our everyday lives.
Derek Dishman and Kristien Lust, Barnet, London.
Matt Hocking: Connections, seeing whose rallied around me to support the ride, people I've never met contacting me saying their whole family is going veggie to support and how inspired they are. My partner Georgie's proudness. My team at leap.eco organising a spin bike to match our miles each day from the studio in Truro, sooooo cool. Coming together from all walks of life to show up, do the green thing and journey together.
Nicola Baird: I've learnt a great deal about riding a long way and realised I don't need to use public transport in London.
Craig Boggon: The social support when infrastructure isn't up to scratch. I'm sure they'll be many more great moments!
Jennifer Plummer: The best part of the ride was turning down the wrong canal path (wait for it) and seeing a rainbow turning back the correct way - it gave me hope! I've enjoyed cycling through the seasons too...picking blackberries along the route in September, stumbling upon a sunflower field in the Cotswold, finding the 'Groot tree' in Cannock Chase area, seeing the Autumn leaves between Manchester and Preston in October... it's all been really special (even the rainy 40 odd miles between Broadway and Birmingham, I went a slightly different route than the proposed one).
Chris Cayley: Meeting so many people who are passionate, engaged, innovative and fun - and so committed to making a difference while also being so down to earth and humble about it. Hope to have a chance to catch up with everyone at some point on the trip.
Claire Marion: I am excited to meet like-minded people who care enough about the climate to brave hills and rain in the UK in October to raise awareness, that's quite a commitment!
Chris Cayley, Buckinghamshire and Claire Marion, France.
Ben Smith: The sense of community and the rolling hills and wind turbines between Dumfries and East Kilbride.
Liam Callaghan: Cycling through the Scottish valleys on the Dumfries to East Kilbride section of the trip. Those views were insanely beautiful, some of the best cycling I have ever done.
Derek Dishman: Camaraderie and ace organisation.
Kristien Lust: The people, riders and organisers, you are all the best!
Bénédicte Herbout: Day 5! I have your my panniers, you gave me people to ride with and here I am, flying on my bike, breaking my own record (km cycled in one day) meeting with new people and enjoying myself way too much in the wet wind on top of the hills.
Claire Bonham-Carter: Riding with my nephew, being with old friends and meeting great new people. The energy from the organisers. And the stunning scenery. What a ride!
Bénédicte Herbout, France/Germany and Claire Bonham-Carter, Kent.
Patrick McCool: The camaraderie, the bonhomie, the energy of all the positive people taking part in this wonderful event.
Sébastien Aubagnac: Day 5 when we finished at 7.00 pm. Impossible to do it alone. Group gave me a lot of strength. Thank you so much. It was my personal record in terms of miles in a day. I will never forget it!
Anne Dixon: I’m riding solo but you are never really alone in a ride like this. As people ride alongside they chat for a few moments to exchange stories of who they are and why they are doing this. When you are feeling tired and low there’s someone to cheer you on and support you, with a smile, or hug or practical help with a bike failure. These are the best of people who care about the planet and show that in their care of each other.
Left to right: Patrick McCool, Northern Ireland, Sébastien Aubagnac, Bristol and Anne Dixon, Forest Hill, London.
Ben Smith: I got 60 pledges, still pushing. It was a week I will remember forever.
Ben Smith: I’m going to build a Passivhaus and rewild a field.
Liam Callaghan: Giving up meat.
Ben Smith, London and Liam Callaghan, Ireland.
Name | Role | I would like to offer.. | I am looking for help with.. |
Matt Hocking | Chief creative sustainability officer and founder at Leap Design agency | Happy to host someone visiting Cornwall to stay with me, and give them a tour of rums of the world at my rum bar! Over 350 to choose from! | Hugs! (also Cornwall-based :)) |
Patrick McCool | Passivhaus consultant and sustainable building developer | Help insulating your home | Sustainable investment and finance advice |
Anna Hughes | Director, FlightFree UK | Teach you bike mechanic skills | To be set up on a date! |
Chris Cayley | Director at Cayley Coughtrie - recruitment company | Recruitment and filling a role in your organisation | Interested in getting B-Corp status |
Harriet Talbot | Global Sustainability at Unilever | Help documenting a cycle trip to New Zealand, in a way it can have a wider impact | Cycling advice for someone planning a trip around the Scottish highlands - routes, itineraries etc |
James Levelle | Film-maker and adventurer | Guidance on incorporating the power of storytelling into their work | Guidance and introductions for sources of green investment and capital for projects (ie: funders) |
Ed Ayton | Abel and Cole | Experienced gardener happy to help with advice and guidance | To be sent seeds, of all kinds - the more genetic variety the better |
Hermione Taylor | Founder, DoNation | Offering a job: Lead Engineer at DoNation. | Looking for applications or connections for our new role - if you know anyone who is hot with Django and Python |
Abi Kenyon | Youth Worker, East London | A session learning some begginners pottery - learn to make a pot, and Abi will get it fired and glazed for you | Wants to learn basic bicycle mechanic skills |
Sharon Goulding | Runs a market garden which offers placements for people with learning disabilities | Gardening advice, particularly for growing vegetables | To learn about 12-volt solar systems |
Cara Withers | Runs food tours of central London | A food tour of central london - Cara will show you some of the great spots and explain the culinary history of the area as you go | Want to learn more about bikes - key skills such as effective tyre changes, mechanical repairs etc |
Ajai Ahluwalia | Principle strategist and business developer at Equinor (but an engineer at heart) | Knowledge and expertise around renewable energy and decarbonising the energy network | Ideas and strategies for linking technical experts in climate sector (such as engineers) with activists - make that missing link |
Alex Bradbury | Environmental campaigner at Zero Hour, CEEBill.UK | A drag performance for an event, fundraiser etc | For Zero Hour - would like to connect to fundraising organisations or individual philanthropists interested in supporting a cross-party climate and nature bill |
Ian Rogers | Arup | Connections to anyone at Arup - eperts in the built environment | Help making a facebook page with the contact details of everyone on the ride - to help us all stay connected and follow up all our great conversations |
Chris Garside | Founder at Resourceful Futures and 10 21 | Help increasing their networks and getting introductions | Feedback on our new 10 21 website to help it prepare for launch |
Emily Marsay | PhD researcher AND climate start-up working on environmental global governance AND UK Youth Climate Coalition Co-Director | Help coming up with fun campaign or fundraising ideas and challenges for your campaign; or advice on applying for post-graduate research and PhDs in these fields | Collaborators interested in global governance and restoring democracy to save the planet - help us share our campaigns and/or find funding! |
Charlie Gerstrom | Lead Facilitator at Beyond Equality; Community Liason at Anatha; coach and tutor | Ethical Personal finance - I would gladly offer a 50% discount rate for any riders interested in the 6-week Good with Money course I will be running at the beginning of 2022 | Advice and inspiration on designing/decorating my new flat that I will be renovating soon |
Dan Tarry | Transport Modeller, Arup |
Transport consultancy services, protecting the green belt |
Anyone want to cycle around Chilterns and Essex; also anyone who can introduce me to good running routes and runners around regents park |
Jason Light | Head of Sustainability and Energy at University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust | Mentoring for those looking to get into the environmental sector, especially those from BAME backgrounds | Looking for a mentor myself, to get more involved in environmentalism and policy nationally |
Henry Unwin | Director of Sustainability | Advice on engaging corporate leaders who may be resistant, and getting them behind sustainable action and policies | Food, farming and agriculture innovators who are looking to get funding or need space/resources to trial new ideas |
Grace ter Haar | Global Sustainability Manager at Unilever | Advice and resources around social entrepreneurship, CSR and public-private partnerships - and an excellent listener! | A coffee/call to find out about nature-based solutions for environmental issues/policy |
William Yonge | Sustainability Consultant | Advice and encouragement to help get anyone who is new to exercise to make a plan and start cycling | Help and encouragement in changing my own behaviour [in a more sustainable direction] |
Stuart Riches | Work in IT - but soon leaving job | My time, energy and passion once no longer in current work | Networks, ideas and feedback [to help transition to a new type of work] |
Miranda Prag | Head of Mainspring Arts charity, theatre-maker | Advice and help with narrowboats: diesel engines, solar systems, rust remediation etc | Advice on running a fundraising bike ride for my charity |
Matt (Bristol) | Freelance energy consultant, EnergySprong | Home retrofit advice | Anyone who wants to come on a cycle trip from Venice to Montenegro! |
Hannah Crewe | Aecom, Builder Services Engineer | Advice on renovating a home | Advice on a gravel bike/bikepacking bike and where to go to ride it |
Giorgia Franco | Head of Sustainability at Berkeley Homes | Help making sourdough bread - advice, a starter etc | Looking for people to come cycle around Kent |
Paul Chamberlain | Associate Director for Estates and Facilities, University Hospital Southampton | Networking and advice - my experience from my career | Help building on the networking from this ride - how to keep this network going |
Bénédicte Herbout | a place to stay in Munich; discussion for anyone interested in leaving their job/career | Financial advice to create a business plan for a market garden business | |
Claire Marion | Carbon Manager | A place to stay in Edinburgh; recipes for DIY zero-waste deodorant, cleaning products etc; help calculate carbon footprint of an organisation | |
Sébastien Aubagnac | Carbon Manager | Invitation to Climate Fresk; helping to calculate carbon footprints for your organisation | Advice for organising my wedding - just got engaged! |
Ellie Mackay | Documentary Filmmaker and Science Communicator | Advice and guidance around becoming more carbon-neutral: changing diet, clothing etc - plenty of discount codes! | Anyone who wants to collaborate on telling stories around the work and campaigns they are doing - looking for a story! |
Nick Reynard | Advice on cooking the best Sunday roast | Bucket list request - to drive a supercar | |
Neville Cregan | Yoga teacher, massage therapist | a place on a residential yoga course in Dartmoor at half-price, in exchange for a small amount of work (1hr/day) on the retreat. Check out nevyogamassage.co.uk | looking for a new project or challenge to get involved in around environmental and social change, and to learn more about social media |
George Wright | Process Engineer, C-Capture | Advice for young people looking for careers in STEM | Advice on physiotherapy to help recover from the ride! |
Liam Callaghan | Head of Business Unit at Pod Point | Help on changing vehicles over to electric models (personal or for business) | Help and advice to reduce meat consumption, go vegan |
Kristien Lust | Teacher | Learn to knit | Help with cycling and getting cycle lanes in Barnet - advice, routes etc |
Vanessa Maire | Sustainability at Unilever | Careers advice for sustainability jobs | Learn about sustainable finance |
Philip Mousley | Research Scientist and Chair of a community action group in Didcot | Advice to organise a community group; help with physics and chemistry too | Advice on applying for grants for my community group |
Lynette Lim | Software Engineer | Database systems management advice | Learn how to change a flat tyre as quickly as possible |
Patrik Ewe | Head of Development at Possible | Help to identify reach people beyond the green bubble - ordinary citizens not already involved in climate | Advice on how to communicate about sustainability and environmentalism to those beyond the bubble - we have the expertise |
Julian Sayarer | Writer | Communications and writing support | to learn about climate adaptation policy |
Stephen Fuller | Software Developer | Help with website design; advice on allotments | Looking for bike riders in the Bristol area to ride with |
Claudia Hernandez | Process Engineer, worked with Engineers without Borders | Advice about international programs around women in STEM, and sustainable development | Want to design my own wooden furniture - carpentry advice/help |
Toby Roads | Behaviour Change at Sustrans | Can teach you how to surf | Want to learn Spanish |
Ben Smith | Director at Arup | Can offer hugs! | Advice on building a Passivhaus |
Joe Reid | Founder of Brake the Cycle | Big trip logistics and community building | Learn a new craft skill |
James Wight | Co-Founder of Adventure Uncovered | A surf or paddleboard lesson, or walk and talk in the woods/hills, where we can chat about business, adventure, sustainability and more! | Learning or trying new things, anything! (Quirky or unique probably best) |