Courtesy Brita Climate RideHow far would you go to fight climate change? How about 300 miles? Hundreds of cyclists will pedal from New York City to Washington, D.C., in late September to do just that.
The Brita Climate Ride is a multi-day bicycle ride that raises money and awareness for climate change action. The riders will depart New York City on Sept. 26 having raised $2400, the proceeds of which will go toward three climate/bike advocacy charities: Focus the Nation, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, and Clean Air – Cool Planet.
During their five-day ride, they’ll hear from experts like climate scientist James Hansen, No Impact Man Colin Beavan, Lazy Environmentalist Josh Dorfman, and Friis Arne Petersen, Denmark’s ambassador to the U.S. and the host of the COP15 U.N. Climate Conference in Copenhagen this December.
On Sept. 30, they’ll cycle past the Washington Monument to arrive on the steps of the Capitol building. Once there, riders will have a chance to sit down with their senators to discuss what they learned on the Climate Ride and why they want to see them supporting climate-change legislation.
But the Climate Ride isn’t meant to be all pedaling and politics. Along the way, riders will be joined by The Great Salt Licks, the first bluegrass band on bicycles. They’ll also have the chance to hang out in a solar-powered eco-lounge each night and check out a sculpture made from empty plastic bottles, which will be towed by one team for the length of the trip.
Want to make change while changing gears, to add some power to your pedaling? Join the Climate Ride — there are still 40 spots left!