University of Gloucestershire Senior Lecturer embarks on 1500km charity cycle

As part of his commitment to a low-impact lifestyle, Dr Richard Cook will cycle the length of Spain to raise funds for Cyclists Fighting Cancer (CFC).

Journeying to Malaga, Dr Cook will use the most sustainable transport options possible – including electric trains and ferries – to arrive at the 20^th International Conference on Interdisciplinary Social Sciences.

For half of the route, from Seville in the Southwest of Spain to Santander in the Northeast of the country, totalling 1500km, he will cycle on a folding bike – usually used for short distance commuting – whilst carrying with him all his clothes and camping equipment.

In line with his personal ethos of “ration, rewild, and resist,” Dr Cook has spent the last two years reducing his consumption, rewilding local spaces, and resisting unsustainable norms to limit his impact on the environment. These values now extend to every aspect of his life, including how he travels, lives and gives.

Dr Richard Cook said: “I’ve done a few long-distance rides; this time I wanted to try and do something that scares me – this definitely does – whilst raising money for charity.

“The ride part will be extremely hot, comprise of long distances of about 100km each day and through some quite barren and remote areas, but I’m ready for the challenge!”

The extraordinary journey, which begins on 5 July, is part of an ongoing fundraising effort in memory of a close friend who Dr Cook lost to cancer in 2024. All donations given to the Just Giving page, along with cycle parts and bikes, clothes and cycling gear donated by Richard, will go to CFC.

Dr Cook’s chosen charity supports children and young people living with cancer across the UK to partake in physical activity – a key element in rehabilitation from treatments and regaining mental wellness – by providing new bikes, adapted trikes, tandems and other equipment.

Read more about Dr Richard Cook’s journey.