Climate Ride – Pedal With a Purpose on this Environmental Bike Ride

What do 1Sky, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy and Green America have in common? All three non-profits work hard for the environment and they will all benefit from the fundraising efforts of Climate Ride participants. The upcoming Brita Climate Ride California 2010, is scheduled to take place in Northern California from September 21-25, 2010. The flagship Climate Ride will take place in the summer of 2011 with a ride from New York City to Washington DC. Billed as a “climate conference on wheels”, participants will get to listen to expert speakers each evening of the ride who will educate them about the climate crisis, the green economy, green living and energy issues. And these speakers mean business... not only will they be sharing their messages, but they’ll be riding too. The goal of the event is to spread these messages with riders, the general public, event donors and sponsors, increasing awareness and motivating change. Riders raise funds for the beneficiary non-profits while promoting bicycling as a viable form of transportation.

The ride, which lasts five days and covers approximately 300 miles, is fully supported and not at all limited to expert riders. In fact, according to the website, most cyclists who participate are new to bicycling and will appreciate the cycling and training tips provided. While participants don’t have to be hardcore on the riding front, they do need to be committed to the cause, with a $75 registration fee and a pledge to raise a minimum of $2,400. A personal fundraising webpage is provided as an essential tool to help them succeed in that goal. Both individuals and teams are welcome to join. Cyclists are encouraged to enjoy the journey at their own pace, so it’s really an active vacation of sorts. Riders need to bring along their bicycles, helmets, tents and sleeping bags, along with clothes, toiletries and on the road essentials. Brita will provide riders with FilterForGood bike bottles and supply Brita filtered water along the way, effectively eliminating water bottle waste from the event. Sweet. Climate Ride will provide meals, hot showers and camping along the route, luggage transfer, bike mechanics and a cycling jersey. Browsing through pictures and videos from past rides to give you an idea of what you have to look forward to if you decide to join the fun.

Those participating in the West Coast Ride will begin with what can only be a spectacular journey through the towering and majestic redwoods along the Avenue of the Giants in Humboldt Redwoods State Park. Participants will enjoy a portion of the classic Pacific Coast Bike Route and then follow the Russian River inland to enjoy famed wine country cycling. The ride concludes 320 miles later in San Francisco after crossing the Golden Gate Bridge. The 300 mile East Coast Ride begins with a trek through Manhattan landing on a Ferry which will cross New York Harbor. Riders will journey along country roads in New Jersey, passing historic sites and enjoying peaceful farms and ultimately, the idyllic setting of the Amish countryside in Pennsylvania. Continuing through horse country in Maryland, riders will arrive at the U.S. Capitol where appointments will allow each of them to personally meet their Congressperson to say what’s on their mind. It’ll probably be plenty after riding for 300 miles in the name of the environment and our future.

Outside of the incredible journey, why support Climate Ride? Because the beneficiaries are out there doing amazing work every day. Rails to Trails Conservancy, which began in 1986, has more than 150,000 members and supporters and has grown what was fewer than 250 miles of rails-trails to almost 19,500 miles. They hope these trails will create connections that can be used for transportation and recreation, improving health and protecting the environment by offering people-powered clean alternatives to get where we’re all going. 1Sky boasts more than 194,000 climate advocates across the country working to shift the focus of our federal policy to one that focuses on a clean green energy economy which increases prosperity while combating climate change. Green America is a national organization that “mobilizes consumers, investors, and businesses to use their economic power to create a socially just and environmentally sustainable society” and boy, do they excel at it. With tools that address climate action and green energy, watchdogs who manage corporate responsibility programs, and resources including The Green Business Network, the National Green Pages and five annual Green Festivals held across America, they continue to motivate, inspire and affect change on a large scale.

Caeli Quinn, co-founder and director of Climate Ride, said the ride is a positive way for people to express their frustration over the recent domestic oil spills. “Climate Ride galvanizes some of the greatest ‘green’ leaders in the country and profoundly inspires people to take action. We have a unique event planned for this year in California with some notable participants like ocean rower Roz Savage, green business icon Hunter Lovins, and environmental author David Helvarg.” According to organizers, this is the first multi-day, multi-city bicycle ride to address climate change and renewable energy issues. In 2009, riders representing over thirty states answered the call. Registration is still open for the California event with 30 spots yet available. Dates and registration will be available soon for the East Coast Ride. To register, to find more information or to donate to the cause, you can visit www.climateride.org or call 406.871.5477. If you get out there and pedal with a purpose, we’ll be cheering you on!