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Cycling from Bristol to COP26 in Glasgow with a block of ice
Pulling a block of ice in a trailer behind him, a Bristol doctor has set off from his home in Greenbank to COP26 in Glasgow.
As Jet McDonald was making the final preparations for start of the 400-mile journey on Monday morning, a neighbour handed him some rice balls that she had made for him, perfect to fit into a pannier.
“It’s like having a little child behind me,” said Jet, patting the ice down before being waved off on his way towards Stapleton Road and onwards to Scotland.
is needed now More than ever
The musician, writer and psychiatrist will be stopping off at a network of cyclists’ homes along the route and hopes to make it to Glasgow in seven days.
Each host is also replenishing Jet’s ice block by putting a washing up tub of water in their freezer overnight. If it happens to melt before the end of a day’s ride, he has also brought a giant egg timer.
“It’s a strong visual image,” says Jet McDonald of the block of ice he is towing to Glasgow – photo: Martin Booth
“I think a lot of us are worried about climate change but aren’t sure what to do or how to make our voice heard,” Jet told Bristol24/7 before setting off.
“This is my way of saying how worried I am. By making a race against time, towing a melting ice block behind me.”
The ice block represents Earth’s melting polar ice caps, with that melting ice showing signs of destabilising global ocean currents, including the Gulf Stream, that protects our British climate.
Turn right for Glasgow – photo: Martin Booth
A decade ago, 50-year-old Jet cycled to India. “About 4,000 miles. It took me nine months with a lot of enjoyable meandering.”
His usual cycling involves commuting to work, and enjoying the gravel and off-road routes around Bristol, with a favourite being the “glorious whooping slide over Dundry Hill into Chew. At weekends you might find me falling off hills on the Welsh borders.”
So what can people in Bristol do to support the cause?
“Take you concerns in your own hands and make your voice heard. We have to act now. Not tomorrow. We can make Bristol a startling example of how sustainable transport can transform our lives.
“If enough of us press for change, we can make our air cleaner and our roads safer. The time for letter writing is over.
“We need to take that message now – in person – to the doorsteps of local and national government. And getting there by bike will be faster and more enjoyable than you ever thought possible.”
Main photo: Martin Booth
Read more: Ice hockey returns to Bristol after almost a decade
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