I’m bikepacking to Rotterdam (700 km away) with climate scientists for a conference on climate. Amidst a heat wave, we measure the local temperature / humidity with sensors mounted on bikes on the way there!

So this whole project is called Vélo Climat, for which I (a cartographer) and researchers from the CNRS (French research insitute) are heading to Rotterdam for the International Conference on Urban Climate (ICUC). Along the way—700 km plus a bit of train—we’ll be measuring the climate (ground temperature, ambient temperature, and relative humidity) throughout the journey, alternating between asphalt, gravel paths, forest crossings, meadows, etc. The measurements are geolocated to be used later.

While passing through certain cities, we’re organizing “Thermo Parties” where we invite citizens to attach sensors to their bikes and ride along with us to help collect citizen-generated climate data.

We are riding with non electric bike and quite a bit of weight, since these guys are carrying 2 big sensors, 20 smaller sensors for people we meet on the road, batteries, plus their laptops and more stuff to be able to work and adjust their method, which is currently in the beta phase.

The heatwave that is currently sweeping across Western Europe is almost perfectly timed: the measurements and scientific protocol we’re testing will be very useful for research on heatwaves and urban heat islands, especially since the researchers are also equipped with body sensors to track their heart rate and body temperature, to better understand the combined effect of extreme heat on the human body.

To follow the adventure day by day, you can find more on my Instagram account (@perrin.remonte) and my website perrinremonte.com, where I’ll post a couple maps and photographs to tell about the journey, later on! 🗺️🗺️