Starting on July 1st, a novel green project pedals off from Thailand in the form of two guys on two bikes with a camera. They are the 'GREEN Riders: Southeast Asia' and they have called the trip a sustainable transport odyssey, which will take them from open-billed storks on the Chao Phraya River to Balinese beaches.
Kenny Peavy and Jamie Raskin are two environmentalists who have two thousand miles of minor roads to educate as they cycle on their way. The bikes are bamboo, the aim is pure eco, the means are sustainable, their message is sustainability and social responsibility.
In order to procure the sunlight, wind (for the bikes to flow forward!) and human effort, many features of the trip are interesting.
With regular YouTube updates, and backing from the EEASEA organisation, we hope to be able to report regular highlights of the trip as the two environmental pilgrims progress.
The Obee bamboo bike for the Green Ride. Made in Singapore by AhSun Chuah's company Bamboobee, it is possibly the most eco-friendly transport you can find - until you think of something even greener. I can only think of walking!; Credit: © Bamboobee and Ahsun Chuah
The bike is bamboo framed and similar to one that AhSun Chuah rode along the Silk road in an expedition of his own. His company, Bamboobee, made only one Obee cycle to start with, as seen on the intrepid Silk Road expedition he rode on.
As they cycle along, GREEN Riders Kenny and Jamie aim to stress to village and townspeople how important the region is for wildlife and ecology. Environmentally friendly ideas ooze from their pores and they have eco-technology with them as they show people why they care and how to become more environmentally-minded.
The GREEN Riders are also hoping to learn from the people they visit along the way about the many, disparate ways they've found to be sustainable in their many practices, and do things smarter.
Jamie told us that: "Our feeling and understanding is that there are a ton of people out there doing good things, but often with little connection to each other or acknowledgement of their efforts. I do think the bamboo bikes will make a good talking point about where we're coming from."
The GREEN Riders first YouTube episode is available now as a pre-odyssey introduction:
The riders are still looking to raise funds for their campaign and have setup various social networking accounts to share their journey and experiences a long the route.
You can also follow the two via Google+, Facebook, Twitter and their YouTube channel.