Cycling the Kettle Valley Railway

First Nations are facing some of the worst water crises in Canada and throughout North America. Their widespread lack of access to safe drinking water receives ongoing national media attention, and yet progress addressing the causes of the problem is painfully slow. First Nations have had little say in how their waters are, or are not, protected. They have been excluded from many important decisions, as provinces operate under the view that they own the water resources within provincial boundaries, and the federal government takes a hands-off approach.

The demands for access to waters that First Nations depend upon are intense and growing. Oil and gas, mining, ranching, farming and hydro-development all require enormous quantities of water, and each brings its own set of negative impacts to the rivers, lakes and groundwater sources that are critical to First Nations. Climate change threatens to make matters even worse.

Over the last 30 years, the courts have clarified that First Nations have numerous rights to land and resources, including the right to be involved in decision-making. This book is a call to respect the water rights of First Nations, and through this create a new water ethic in Canada and beyond.

A land of magnificent mountains, verdant valleys, beautiful beaches and towering castles. All this, the travel brochures tell you, is crammed into the tiny country of Wales – and it’s true. A marvellous place to visit then, and what better way to see it than on a bicycle? Starting just across the border in Chester, this book charts the course of a cycle ride which roughly follows the coastline of Wales.

The sights seen are vividly described with many references to their historical significance. Wales has a rich cultural heritage and the book is enlivened by the many interesting and humorous conversations with local people. Read about the naked lady lying at the bottom of the stairs and the bandit from Bolivia. A Welsh International rugby player and a company director are two of the people who gave exclusive interviews.

This is essential reading for cyclists and couch-potato pedallers as well.