Susie Wheeldon interview

Susie Wheeldon, aka the 'Solar Cyclist', is the kind of woman who thinks it’s a good idea to bike across the Sahara in June. And as it turns out, it was. In her new book The Solar Cycle Diaries, Susie explains why she wanted to raise awareness of solar energy and the charity SolarAid through an epic nine-month cycle round the world.

HUCK caught up with Susie before her book launch at East London bike shop and café Look Mum No Hands, February 15, to find out about her trip highs and lows as well as the legality of cycling for women in other countries.

Tell us what cycling around the world’s got to do with solar panels then?
We had nano-solar panels sewn into our kit to charge our tracking and communications – demonstrating how solar can be used anywhere. We also went via various projects and a concentrating solar station in the Sahara to show how we can harness the sun’s power. And it was definitely powerful!

When and how was the idea for your trip conceived?
Actually after a race across the desert in Morocco. It was six back to back marathons in six days and the only way I got through was by listening to epic 80s rock. We were in the middle of nowhere so the only way I could do that was by powering my iPod with a solar charger. I ran a website on sustainable living at the time so came back and basically spent the next two years banging on about how awesome the sun is – then pedalling round the world to promote it.

What was the main aim of your trip?
To get a tan, ha! Kidding. Actually the tan lines were terrible! To promote solar power and have a mind-blowing adventure at the same time.

What were your greatest fears as you set out on your expedition?
Getting a bra good enough for nine months of leaning over.

Tell us a bit more about your bike…
It’s brilliant. Surly touring frame and Brooks saddle which moulds to your bum. Jay from Bicycle in Richmond designed it for me. He said it would last and it did. Even now I still have the same Schwalbe Marathon tyres on it.

What did you think about on the long boring roads?
Strictly Come Dancing. Technically, winning Strictly Come Dancing.

Did your bum not get sore sitting down all the time?
Ha – no. Actually it didn’t. And it got smaller as I went round which definitely doesn’t happen when I sit down all day at home.

Was the Sahara as hot in June as one would imagine?
Yeah, the biggest challenge was cycling whilst blinded by sweat.

What was your saving grace on the trip?
The guys I was cycling with – especially Jamie. Though I did nearly kill all of them at different times.

Who was the most inspirational person you met along the way?
We met so many inspiring people in the environmental world but if I had to choose one it would actually be a holidaymaker on the ferry between Egypt and Jordan. She was an Iraqi refugee who had risked her life to escape to Australia. She was exceptionally courageous.

Trip high?
Seeing grass again after Libya and the Middle East.

Trip low?
The bikes physically freezing beneath us in a blizzard in Central China

At what point did you realise it had all been worthwhile?
Every day.

Did cycling in many other countries affect your view of cycling culture in the UK, and how?
It made me realise how lucky we are to have the freedom to cycle. In some countries it’s frowned on - even illegal for women.

What advice would you give to someone looking to set off on a similar adventure?
Do it. Definitely. Right now. And take a picture every day.

Subscribe to HUCK for six issues
Only £21 (UK) / £44 (EU) / £59 (Rest of the World).

Susie Wheeldon interview (text) by Ruth Carruthers is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License.