More than one hundred cyclists from all over the U.S. will soon set out on a 320-mile, 5-day ride in Northern California to raise awareness of the climate crisis and clean energy.
Brita Climate Ride California is nearly ready to roll this September 21-25, 2010 from Fortuna, CA (near Eureka) to San Francisco. Registration is still open and 30 spots are left for cyclists to sign up. This year's event, sponsored by Brita, will see more than 100 cyclists pedaling 320 miles along a portion of the classic Pacific Coast Bike Route. This "climate conference on wheels" and fundraiser is designed to raise awareness of the climate crisis and renewable energy.
Participants can currently register online at www.climateride.org. The flagship Brita Climate Ride East Coast Classic event will take place again in Summer 2011.
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, photographer Chris Jordan and environmental author David Helvarg. We also have several new corporate teams this year including the Brita Bikers, Team Sun Light & Power, Team Clif Bar, Team RTC, Team Green America,Team San Francisco Bicycle Coalition, and more."
This year's event - Brita Climate Ride California 2010 - will raise funds for three hardworking non-profits: Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, Green America, and 1Sky. Climate Ride is the first multi-day, multi-city bicycle ride to address climate change and renewable energy issues. Climate Ride also endeavors to show that the bicycle is the ultimate carbon-free machine and a viable form of transportation.
Brita Climate Ride California begins under towering redwoods along the Avenue of the Giants in Humboldt (more) Redwoods State Park, before turning west toward the coast for two full days of some of the most scenic cycling in America. After a quick spin through the Russian River Wine Country, Climate Riders will pedal through Marin before heading across the Golden Gate Bridge to finish at New Belgium Brewery's Tour de Fat party in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park. Along the way, Climate Ride's nightly speaker series will inform and entertain Climate Riders through educational talks about solutions to the climate crisis, bike advocacy and living green.
Like the Climate Riders, Brita, which has sponsored Climate Ride since its first event in September 2008, is dedicated to making the Earth a greener place. Thanks to Brita, there won't be any empty bottled water containers along the route; the riders are supplied with Brita filtered water in special FilterForGood bike bottles. To learn more about Brita's FilterForGood movement to reduce bottled water waste and inspire other simple changes that are better for the Earth, visit www.filterforgood.com.
Registration includes a personal fundraising web page, training/logistical support, and access to a nationwide network of Climate Riders. The ride includes a cycling jersey, campsites, luggage transfer, road support, meals, bike mechanics, bike guides, and the nightly expert speaker series. Each Climate Ride pays a registration fee of $75 and then fundraises at least $2,400 to participate in Brita Climate Ride California 2010.
Many participants are finding the fundraising requirement to be easier than expected, says co-founder and director Geraldine Carter. "We've found that new participants are skeptical that they can raise the required minimum amount in the current economy, however after they begin using our fundraising software and new interface with Facebook, they discover that their family and friends are happy to support their efforts. We have many riders who have exceeded the minimum already and show no signs of stopping, which is great because a large percentage of these donations go directly to the tangible efforts of our beneficiaries."
About Climate Ride
Climate Ride was founded to raise money for innovative organizations that are working to educate Americans about the impacts of the climate crisis, engage citizens in the possibility of a renewable energy-based economy, and to mobilize government and businesses to enact meaningful climate and energy policies. In 2009, Climate Riders represented more than 30 states and a variety of cycling abilities from novices to competitive cyclists. For more information, please visit www.climateride.org. Videos, photos and blogs can be viewed at www.climateride.org/rides/experience-the-ride/. For more information or to support a participant, please visit www.climateride.org or call 406.871.5477.