just 'cause for just cause

I’m going to ride from Canberra to Perth departing from the Aboriginal Tent Embassy on 1st June 2015 and arriving in Perth (fingers crossed!) at Cottesloe Beach on Sunday 9th August 2015.

Who am I? Why am I doing this? I’m just a Canberra gal, getting my creative altruism on. A bit of a tree hugging, bleeding heart, contemplative mind activist. You got me. Busted.

I like cycling. I like freedom. I like adventure. I like to challenge myself. I like nature and natural landscapes, and to live gently and sustainably. I also like for everyone in the world to have the same freedoms and potential for living their life to the fullest.

Sadly, this isn’t so for many people: those affected by war, extreme weather and natural disasters, political unrest, economic instability and anyone who is abused or marginalised. It seems broad, and it is. But hey, I’m just against injustice and inequality in any form where it doesn’t need to be so. I dream of a world where common sense and compassion prevail. It’s directly connected: climate change is a human rights issue - the biggest one of our time. Protecting our beautiful, precious, invaluable habitat, and those who call it home is in everyone’s best interests. It’s well within our knowledge, technology and power to make it happen.

So, I’m going to do something I enjoy - challenge myself mentally and physically, and do it in a way that has a low carbon footprint – while using my lucky freedom to help promote awareness and raise funds for nonprofit organisations that work to combat climate change and to help those in need.

I'm doing the entire trip with my own funds and all money raised will go to CARE Australia, Climate Council of Australia and the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC).

Please donate generously, as if it were for something that would directly ameliorate your life, and the lives of your loved ones…because it will.

Anywho, I hear promotion through social media is a thing these days, so you can follow the journey through Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at follow_alida. Couldn't help but make a pun out of my name. I’ll be giving updates on the hijinks throughout the trip and tales of the inspiring people and places I meet along the way.

The wheels are in motion. See you on the other side. West side.

Peace out!

Alida

PS I'm well aware that this is a bit ambitious (some might say nuts) and that riding east to west is against the wind. All avid cyclists know that wind is the worst. I would much prefer to have the wind behind me. Having said that, I've chosen to ride this way because I'd like to start with places I'm very familiar with, gradually discover the unknown and have beautiful Perth as a reward at the end. It will be a bit more difficult, but slowly and steadily it can be done.