All sorts of bikes have been used for expedition touring, but James Tobin and Carolyn Sharples chose a fairly unusual one for their 12,000km trip from Beijing to London. Their recumbent tandem trike carried them through conditions ranging from sub-zero in Siberia to 50degC in southern Russia. They estimated that they expended an amount of energy equivalent to that in 15.5 litres of petrol – to make the same trip by car would have used 1,454 litres. The trip was part of an ongoing campaign to raise awareness of human-powered transport.

They needed a lot more kit than just the trike, though. UK outdoor gear company Terra Nova stepped in to supply tents, sleeping bags and clothing, all of which apparently performed admirably during the eight month journey.

You can read more about the trip (and James and Carolyn’s other projects) at www.trikeit.co.uk and check out some of the equipment at www.terra-nova.co.uk.