As the family expands, the mainstream would push us towards a mini-van, but instead of the second car we have chosen "longtail" bikes. With a Surley "Big Dummy" frame and Xtracycle accessories, we can carry a lot with remarkable versatility -- groceries, people, lumber, even other bikes -- all without the advanced planning we found necessary with trailer use. Our 6-year old is regularly riding 5 miles one way with us, but on long or difficult routes (like the "super steep" hill near grandma's house), she and her bike get a lift. Granted, we haven't added a dog yet, but (more...)

Jean Sideris Outreach Coordinator for the Climate Program at the Union of Concerned Scientists The timing of our ride couldn't be better--we are at a historical moment for climate policy. We have a president, a House and a Senate who are ready to take action. In fact, the House of Representatives passed a comprehensive climate bill this summer. Now, that bill is far from perfect and is the smallest of steps towards truly meeting the climate challenge. However, it does put a cap on carbon and sets the framework for moving to a clean energy economy. A year ago, even (more...)

Where do we draw the political and ecological lines on climate change? How much carbon will the atmosphere take? Policy Innovations Managing Editor Evan O'Neil talks with Phil Aroneanu, director of creative media for 350.org, an international campaign to limit greenhouse gas emissions. Phil and Evan met last year on the inaugural Climate Ride from New York to Washington.
 
EVAN O'NEIL: Phil, the number 350 is your campaign's rallying cry. Where does it come from?
 
PHIL ARONEANU: 350 is the safe level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere in parts per million. It's a concentration, and it's been going up for . . .(more...)

Last September, I spent five beautiful autumn days on a meticulously-planned bicycle trip from New York City to Washington, DC. We pedaled through gorgeous, varied landscapes, from lively New York streets, to pastoral New Jersey farmland, to inviting Amish communities and, eventually, to the grandeur of our nation’s capital. Each night, we enjoyed delicious catered meals, enrichment activities like lectures and roundtables, and the company of our fellow cyclists before zipping into our sleeping bags. The best part of this incredible adventure is that it took place in the capacity of my job as Community Program Manager at Clean Air-Cool (more...)

In addition to our regular bloggers (see right sidebar), we are inviting a few Climate Riders to share their perspectives. Today’s piece is from Alex Tinker of Focus the Nation. I'd never ridden a multi-day bike tour before. For that matter, until last week I'd never even been on a ride as long as the shortest day of Climate Ride 2008, 45 miles. Many riders had never met with the Congressional offices representing them in Washington, and surely never before had 100 cyclists gone 320 miles to . . . (more...)

In addition to our regular bloggers (see right sidebar), we are inviting a few Climate Riders to share their perspectives. Today’s piece is is by Jana Green, or J.J., who is a student at the University of Oregon and also participated in Cycle the Rockies: Energy and Climate Change in Montana. There is nothing like traveling by bike. The connection to your surroundings is unbroken by rumbling engines, a steel box, climate control, and the imported power that cars run on. My first experience of traveling by bike was to cycle 725 miles through Montana. There I developed a closeness . . .(more...)

After all that. After the hills. After the campfires. The daily education. The deep conversations. After the perspectives. After the friends. After the awesome meals. After the moving police escort into DC. After the emotion, we are left with character.(more...)

Hard to believe, but Climate Ride 2008 is over - for us riders, at least. I'm sure the (outstanding) staff will still be going strong for the next several days. Plus, each rider has taken home a wealth of knowledge, experience and support to continue the fight well into the future until . . .(more...)

We have arrived! I can’t put into words the excitement, adrenaline, anxiety, and inner turmoil that occurred today. I am still in shock that I made it the Capitol with my only mode of transportation being my bicycle for over 300 miles. My mind may still be in disbelief but my body completely understands . . .(more...)

I have just shared with everyone a preliminary victory dance. I am ecstatic right now that I completed over 65 miles today without having to rely on the Sag Wagon. Today’s ride was the most challenging route we have experienced so far. The hills were grueling and . . .(more...)

Today was a day of the inner and the outer body. 65 miles, seemingly all up hill. Today, the inner body complained of failing bloated lungs, thighs bulging like turkey breasts, and my head pounding like a . . . (more...)

Day 3 was one of change, and I’m not referring to the two flat tires I had to replace. We rode 65 miles today, and it was a spectacular reminder that we are not all the same. In our binary world, today was in direct contrast to the crazy energy of day one in New York City. Today was Amish country. (more...)

We have just completed our longest day of riding! 70 miles within Pennsylvania. Today was an excellent day. I think that many of us paced well and stopped numerous times to stretch and regain momentum. When we arrived in Camp Edward, I still actually retained my communications skills (most of them anyway) and was able to greet others and ask how their riding experience was. I also engaged in one of my favorite activities today: eating. I think . . .(more...)

One of the most valuable aspects of this ride is the opportunity to bike with such a diverse range of professionals committed to creating positive environmental change. But unlike other environmental gatherings in which I’ve participated, many on this ride recognize that the tactics employed to date to build a nationwide movement for change have met with limited success and must change. It’s the acknowledgement that . . . (more...)

Today was another excellent riding day, crossing the Delaware River into some of Pennsylvania's prime national presidential elections battleground landscape. We saw more campaign lawn signs than we could count--losing track in part because of the significant hills we were climbing. But the riding was, again, . . .(more...)