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The Life Cycle

8,000 Miles in the Andes by Bamboo Bike

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The Life Cycle

By: Kate Rawles
Narrated by: Kate Rawles
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About this listen

One woman's journey through South America—and the devastating story of our planet's disappearing biodiversity

Pedaling hard for thirteen months, eco adventurer Kate Rawles cycled the length of the Andes on an eccentric bicycle she built herself. The Life Cycle charts her mission to find out why biodiversity is so important, what's happening to it, and what can be done to protect it.

From the Pacific Ocean to rainforests and salt flats, Kate learns that armadillos can cross rivers by holding their breath, that Colombia has more species of birds than North America and Europe combined, and that in threatening species and ecosystems, we're tearing down our own life support system. En route, she witnesses the devastation of goldmining and oil drilling but finds hope in the incredible people working to regenerate habitats and communities. As she reaches the 'end of the world', she realises that to tackle biodiversity loss we all have a role to play.

'A gripping read for anyone who cares about what we're doing to the planet and how we can change it' DAVID SHUKMAN, FORMER BBC NEWS SCIENCE EDITOR

'Searing observations focused on our need to protect biodiversity—A tour de force' SIR TIM SMIT OBE, CO-FOUNDER OF THE EDEN PROJECT

'An informative, uplifting and truly important book' JONATHON PORRITT, AUTHOR AND CAMPAIGNER

©2023 Kate Rawles (P)2023 W. F. Howes Ltd
Biographies & Memoirs Travel Writing & Commentary Feel-Good Habitat Solar System
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Thank you Kate for the inspiration and courage!

Wonderful book - inspiring truths, courage and endurance! How we need these stories so much. Heart breaking and hope inspiring all in one go. Beautifully told. Remarkable individual strength and Kate has so much love for people, plants and animals. Thank you for keeping going. Thought provoking as to what I can do next. Thank you Kate.

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Biodiversity and adventure what more do you want!

One of the best books I've read,
A solo female adventure cycling South America, but the book is about biodiversity. The environment she sees along the way and most importantly the people doing amazing work keeping our planet healthy.
The author loves people and it shows! It's a great story that stays with you.

I cannot recommend it enough!

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Highly informative bicycle travelogue

A solo cyclist commits to the challenge of cycling the length of South America on a bamboo bicycle, Living as frugally and ethically as possible she manages to arrange meetings with knowledgeable environmentalists along the way. She is also shown kindness and generosity by complete strangers enriching the experience greatly. Some shocking facts about open cast mining for copper and mining for lithium which pollute the land are uncovered. Highly recommended read for any cyclist or would-be adventurer and anyone interested in preserving the bio diversity of our planet.

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What a great book - truly inspiring!

Kate’s story is amazing. The way she tells it is shows her as daring, caring and humorous with a focus on a real ‘call to action’ on the need to change our culture of ‘extractivism’. Kate writes beautifully with evocative descriptions of the people she meets, the landscapes she cycles through and the logistical challenges of riding solo the whole length of South America! It’s compelling reading.

I have both the printed version and have listened to the audiobook narrated by Kate herself – what a brilliant travel companion she was as I ‘binge-listened’ to her whilst on journeys of my own.

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