Climate Ride Promises Picture-Perfect Cycling With a Purpose

More than 100 green-spirited bicycle enthusiasts will take to the open roads of northern California on October 2 for the West Coast’s second Climate Ride. The five-day pedal-fest—which begins just south of Eureka in the former mill town of Fortuna, winds its way south through the California Redwood forests, then travels along the coast and through the famous Russian River Valley before crossing the Golden Gate Bridge into San Francisco—is expected to raise about $250,000 for environmental non-profits.

Climate Ride is the brainchild of Geraldine Carter and Caeli Quinn, two avid bicyclists and card-carrying tree-huggers. In 2008, the women were inspired to find a way to support organizations on the front lines of the battle against climate change after witnessing the ravaging effects of rapid, unchecked industrialization during a bicycle tour of China.

After that trip to China, we both settled down in Montana near Glacier National Park right as scientists were exposing the effects of climate change on the park’s unique ecosystem, Quinn said. We were both really concerned about the global impacts of unsustainable practices and decided to use our bicycle guiding experience to start a charitable organization to support hardworking non-profits focused on sustainability.

Within six months, Carter and Quinn had signed up 120 like-minded souls to join them for Climate Ride’s debut outing, which led the group from the busy streets of downtown Manhattan to the steps of the U.S. Capitol.

A sister ride in California was organized last year at the urging of bicyclists on the West Coast who wished to participate but did not want to travel across the country (and contribute travel-related pollution) to do so.

According to Quinn, the creation of the second event in northern California allowed the pair to call attention to their mission in a whole new way: While the NYC-to-DC ride focuses on civic duty and making noise in Washington, the California ride is a reminder of what we are riding for and working so hard to protect—extraordinary natural beauty and pristine, carbon-reducing landscapes such as the redwoods.

Choosing a route for the California ride wasn’t hard, Quinn says. Having lived in California, she was familiar with all that the state, particularly the area north of San Francisco, had to offer. The real challenge was narrowing the course down to just 320 miles.

It’s some of the best cycling in the United States, but few people have a chance to cycle this route, she explains. We wanted to show off this section of the western U.S. Furthermore, ending in San Francisco is such a memorable finale.

In the past, dollars raised went to organizations preselected by Climate Ride’s organizers, and the resulting mix was often national-heavy. At the request of participants, who wished to see more local efforts receive support, this year Climate Ride invited registrants to nominate their favorite organizations. And organizations that share Climate Ride’s passion for sustainability and bike advocacy were invited to apply themselves for beneficiary status. Prospective beneficiaries were then reviewed carefully and those whose missions and programs were in alignment with Climate Ride’s—and whose records demonstrated fiscal responsibility—were added to this year’s giving mix.

The idea behind this is that riders can choose to make an impact at home or on a national level, Quinn explained. It’s incredibly unique for a charitable event, and our riders love it!

But participants aren’t the only ones who love Climate Ride. The cities and counties along the 320-mile course also hold the event in high regard. According to Quinn, city leaders and police departments have been very helpful, working closely with Climate Ride’s organizers to ensure a smooth and successful event.

That would make perfect sense. Besides supporting the organizations fighting hard to preserve the natural splendor in these municipalities’ backyards—splendor that, besides being beautiful, also translates to tourist dollars in the pockets of local economies—Climate Ride has also implemented a sustainability program that serves as a model for these communities and other events.

In addition to using hybrid and biodiesel vehicles when possible to transport equipment and supplies, no disposable servingware or utensils are used during food service. The event also boasts an aggressive composting and recycling program, and riders are asked to bring their own refillable water containers. What’s more, the registration process is paper-free, and Climate Ride doesn’t distribute printed marketing materials.

We have done everything we can to make Climate Ride the most sustainable ride out there, Quinn said.

In addition to supporting environmental groups and promoting environmentalism outright, Quinn and Carter are happy to promote what they believe is a key component in sustainable living—sustainable transportation.

Our goal is two-fold, to support the sustainability movement and promote the bicycle as a crucial part of a green transportation system, Quinn said. If folks can ride 60 miles in a day for a sustainable future, then many more of us can pedal a couple of miles to work each day.

Those who dismiss bicycles as a car-alternative viable only for young people or athletes need just take a quick gander at Climate Ride’s motley crew of participants to be convinced that just about anyone can make the switch. We’ve had riders as young as six and as old as 82! Quinn joked.

Just about every state has been represented at the event thus far, as has every profession. What participants share is a desire to do more for the environment than just write a check. And what they get out of it, according to Quinn, is a life-changing experience.

Riding 300 miles with a supportive, fun and engaged group of people creates unforgettable memories, she said. Furthermore, riders go out into their communities and raise money. They have a chance to engage friends, neighbors and colleagues in what they are doing and explain why it’s important to them. This has an exponential effect on their community.

For more information, visit www.climateride.org.