Your first century ride – its a milestone in every cyclist’s life, a story to be told for years to come. And on Day 3 of Climate Ride California, over 50 riders notched their first 100-mile day on a truly dramatic and spectacular day of sun, wind, sea, and sky! Not all century rides are created equal – today’s route along the northern California coast from Caspar Beach to Duncans Mills is one of the most epic century rides in the world. 

Many riders are cycling to support solar and wind energy and day 3 was as much a testament to the power of the sun and the wind as any wind farm. And the wind supported Climate Riders right back, providing a strong tail wind nearly the entire length of the 102 mile route. Climbing up 500 feet directly above the crashing waves of the Pacific, the final (optional) 30 miles offered some of the most stunning views and downhill rides of the trip. Sea merged into sky on the distant horizon, and the sheer beauty of the day provided all the extra stamina needed to complete a challenging day of riding for many riders.

If completing a first century ride (or another stunning 53 or 64 mile ride for those who stopped to enjoy the view) wasn’t its own reward, Climate Ride sponsor New Belgium Brewing showed up to refresh and reward us further. Bikes and beer – is there a better pair out there?

To further prove how multi-talented many of our riders are, several of them presented at the nightly Speaker Series AFTER completing the century! It was an evening of enthusing bicycle advocacy, with Renee Rivera of East Bay Bicycle Coalition, Corinne Winter of Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition, and Stuart Cohen of TransForm all sharing their innovative work to make bicycling and sustainable transportation more accessible to all people.

There is little doubt that the world would be a better place if everyone could experience what riders did today, but the majority of humanity now lives in cities. All three of these Climate Ride beneficiaries are creating more sustainable, healthy and just cities through the power of the bicycle!

After the “spiritual experience” of riding through the Redwoods on Day 1 of Climate Ride California, riders were welcomed by the other immense and ancient feature of the California Coast – the Pacific Ocean! To earn their first view of the Ocean though, riders first had to conquer the infamous Leggett Hill, a 5 mile 1400 foot climb up through fragrant pine forest and switchback roads. On a gloriously sun-kissed day, the riders were up to the challenge.

Jameson Henkle of Adventure Cycling Association shares his experience of the day and why he Climate Rides:

  Cruising along the spectacular coastline in the company of 130 other passionate and fun-loving people, riders experienced a growing sense of connection with their fellow riders, supporters and the many causes that has brought them together. Several of those causes, and the leaders making them happen, were on display in camp during the nightly Speaker Series. Sam Schuachat, Executive Director of the Coastal Conservancy, received a hearty applause for his work helping to preserve the California coastline for its ecological and scenic value. Frankie Ridolfi of Free Range Studios gave an inspired narration of the mythic journey that lies at the heart of all good stories – and how sustainability organizations can use the power of story to create change. Climate scientist Carl Mears entertained riders with an engaging and thought-provoking presentation on global temperature rise and carbon emissions. And Tim Frick, Owner of Mightybytes and Climate Ride Board member, shared his new EcoGrader project to measure and grade the energy use of websites.

It was another inspiring day of cycling, connecting with a community of fellow sustainability advocates, and good ol’ fashioned fun. As Jameson said about Climate Ride, “In its plain and simple beauty, we’re out riding bikes...but if you look at it, we’re out sharing life; passionate about what we believe in and learning how we can make a difference in this world.”

Climate Ride California offers one of the most epic cycling routes in the world, following the rugged Northern California coast through a timeless landscape of giant trees and vast ocean vistas. Setting off towards San Francisco to the sound of cowbells and cheers, riders were immediately immersed in the splendor of Redwood country. The route wastes no time in bringing riders directly into the magical realm of the giant coastal Redwoods - Day 1 saw 29 miles of cycling along the famous Avenue of the Giants.

Climate Rider Chris Hwang of Walk Oakland Bike Oakland shares her experience of riding through Nature’s temple.

If Climate Ride NYC-DC is about cycling to the doors of Congress to advocate for climate action, Climate Ride California is about directly connecting with the source of many riders’ inspiration – the majesty of the natural world.  Yet Climate Ride California is also a powerful platform for lobbying our national policy makers. At the end of Day 1, riders wrote postcards to President Obama to share the many reasons they are cycling 300+ miles for a healthy and sustainable future. Hear some of those reasons directly from the riders:

After a hearty meal and some celebratory beverages, everyone gathered to learn about the inspiring work of some of their fellow riders. Dermot Hikisch and others from B Lab shared how their organization is transforming business to solve social and environmental problems. Trina Peterson talked about the growing network of responsible businesses and non-profits that make up 1% for the Planet. Dirk Rosen of Marine Applied Research and Exploration shared the wonders and significance of deep-water science, along with an impressive impersonation of Jacques Cousteau. Lisa Daniels of Windustry talked about her work empowering communities to develop locally-owned renewable energy projects. And Alison Riley shared Adventure Cycling Association's exciting work to build the largest cycling network in the world!  

It was a glorious day of connecting to things beyond ourselves - both the awesome presence of the Redwoods and the growing movement for sustainable solutions.

Over the past six years and eight rides, Climate Ride has engaged thousands of people in raising money and awareness for people-powered solutions to climate change and a new energy economy. Our riders come from all walks of life, from more than 30 states, and with ages ranging from 12 to 82. They are professionals, students, scientists, activists, executives, athletes, and ordinary citizens. So what has inspired such a diverse group of people to saddle up and ride over 300 miles through sun and wind and rain and fog, over hills and through forests, up mountains and back down again?

As we prepare to take the first pedal strokes on Climate Ride California 2013 - our 4th annual California ride - we are taking a moment to reflect on and celebrate the many reasons that bring this inspiring group of people together every year to challenge themselves, support causes they believe in, and co-create a positive movement for a sustainable and thriving future.

Check out why past riders have joined Climate Ride!

Particularly as the CO2 concentration in our atmosphere inches above 400 parts-per-million for the first time in eons, we are reminded how much work remains to be done to shift our economies, energy infrastructure, and transportation systems towards more sustainable and regenerative practices. Yet, thanks to the passion and resilience of the more than 50 Climate Ride beneficiary organizations, so much has already been achieved in recent years to create viable and sustainable alternatives - from community-supported renewable energy projects to sustainable business development to climate activism to sustainable transportation and bicycle infrastructure. When you look around, there are solutions everywhere!

Just as we are entering a completely new geological epoch brought about by increasing carbon emissions, we are also in the midst of a flourishing of creative and innovative paths forward. Climate Riders are consistently at the forefront of this emerging movement, working to both create a new future and tell a new positive story of how we do it. And if there is a more fun way to change the world than joining 130 other awesome and inspiring people on a 320-mile climate conference on wheels, we don't know about it!

As Climate Ride board member and five-time Climate Rider Josh Lasky says, "I think the sustainability movement has effectively shifted the focus towards something much more positive, much more compelling that people want to be a part of. Climate Ride, for me, embodies that spirit.…that’s why I keep riding on Climate Ride!“

To all past, present and future riders: Why do you Climate Ride?

Follow along with us over the next 5 days to learn about the current riders and tweet us your reasons at #climateride! Your tweets will be streaming on our new social dashboard, along with rider photos from the road!

Come meet the Team WABA (Washington Area Bicyclist Association) riders at a Climate Ride happy hour on May 20 (location TBD). We’ll talk logistics and fundraising, but more importantly, toast our California Climate Ride comrades as they embark on their ride from San Francisco! The NYC-to-D.C. Climate Ride, Sept. 21-25, is filling up fast. You can register to ride on Team WABA in the upcoming Climate Ride NYC-DC. Call or email gina@waba.org for more information.

Pedal Your Bike. Power the Movement.

Everyone is invited.  We would like to have as many people as possible (bike advocates, non-profits, green jobs advocates, green businesses, environmentalists, students, family friends, everyday folks who like to rally for a great cause!). 

Be at the end of an historic bicycle ride and meet more than 150 cyclists who pedaled from Eureka to San Francisco and raised money for more than 50 beneficiary organizations including 350.org, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), Sierra Club California, Greenbelt Alliance, TransForm, B Lab, San Francisco Bicycle Coalition, EDF, East Bay Bicycle Coalition, Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition, National Parks Conservation Association, Alliance for Climate Education, Acterra and more.

WHAT: Climate Ride finale to celebrate the end of Climate Ride, a 320-mile benefit bike ride to raise awareness of bike advocacy, sustainability, renewable energy and the threat of climate change, beginning in Fortuna (near Eureka) and ending with a rally at City Hall in San Francisco.

WHEN: THURSDAY, MAY 23rd, 2013 - There are two ways to participate:

11:00 AM – All riders will gather at Sports Basement Presidio (610 Old Mason Rd in the Marina) for an 11:15 am en masse departure to SF City Hall.  Be sure to arrive with a bicycle for this segment. Note: Riders will pedal all together from there along the Marina, through Fort Mason, and up Polk Street to Civic Center plaza in front of City Hall – please obey traffic laws and stop for lights.

~12:00 NOON – Rally at City Hall and Greeting of Riders – Keynote Speaker: Paul Hawken

We will have a photo opportunity at City Hall with photographers. 

When Caeli and Geraldine first created the NYC-DC ride, they wanted to show that you could ride your bike from the Big Apple to the nation's Capitol through some of America's loveliest countryside. It was no small feat - including a research day in 2008 when Caeli tested a possible route by riding her bike on the Pulaski Skyway near Jersey City (which did not become part of the ride!). She survived luckily, and the pair found beautiful towns and bike-friendly roads all the way to Washington DC.

On Day 3, we already have two amazing days of riding behind us and our legs are getting stronger. We cover a lot of ground today on the route from Camp Innabah near Valley Forge to Camp Andrews near the mighty Susquehanna River. It’s 58.3 from point to point – and we have some really special stops planned along the way. It’s an amazing ride and we hope you enjoy it!

After a hot breakfast in the dining hall at camp, we start out turning left out of camp onto small roads. Watch out for traffic, ride single file, and be careful crossing grated bridges. We climb our first hill, but luckily it ends at a lovely little village tucked up in a river gorge – you’ll think you’re pedaling in Europe. It’s the first Water Stop and luckily there’s the St Peters Bakery to help fuel us up the next hills. St Peters Village is a unique town because the whole thing was sold on eBay a few years back, and they’ve been slowly restoring it. Melanie, the owner of the Bakery, is really great, and we go a long way to support locally-owned businesses along the route. 

From the Bakery, we hit a hilly, wooded section through Hopewell Furnace National Historical Site – which is an example of early American iron production. When you reach the Joanna Store at Mile 15.9, the hills are over and the scenery opens up to the verdant rolling hills of Amish Country. You’ll start to see farms, and lots of silos. We’ll remind you to be careful on Morgantown Road – it’s a little bit busier but has a very wide shoulder.

From the turn at Morgantown, it’s 13 miles to the Lunch Spot in New Holland. Now we’re entering the heart of Amish Country. You will have packed your lunch this morning, and we’ll transport all the bag lunches to the picnic spot for you! Thank you to our leader crew! The Lunch Spot is at a nice park in New Holland – home of large agricultural machinery. There’s a covered pavilion and we’ll set up the lunches there.

After lunch, it’s 12 miles to the next Water Stop through several small towns including the infamous Intercourse, PA. Then, at Mile 43, we reach one of my favorite stops on the whole trip – the Strasburg Creamery. Anyone up for some homemade Amish ice cream?! General Manager Robin and her crew will be scooping cones, slinging milkshakes, and whipping up the specially-designed and delectable Climate Ride Sundae! It’s delicious and their shop is fun to poke around in. You can spend a moment listening to the ‘clop-clop’ of horses and buggies as Amish families travel through town.

Again, we like to show the local communities that cyclists are wonderful, courteous people who bring low-impact travel and significant economic vitality to towns. 

If you can still ride after filling up on treats from the Creamery, it’s 15 beautiful miles into camp including two awesome wooden bridges along the way. It starts out pretty easy, but there are definitely a few hills in this section – so save some power in your legs!

Our camp for the night is a Mennonite summer camp called Camp Andrews, and we’ll have camping available, as well as beds in cabins for $10 extra. The staff at Camp Andrews is really sweet and they’ll take good care of us with a hearty dinner. Afterwards, we’ll meet up the hill in the lodge for the evening’s speaking event.

So that’s Day 3…it’s quite an adventure. So ride safely out there everyone, and have fun! 

Never hurts to be provocative...does your green lifestyle matter? If not, what does?

The elephant in the room - how much energy is your website using? Digital design firm Mightybytes creates the Eco-Grader and ranks the Fortune 500.

Climate Ride speaker Cy Maramangalam featured on NPR, showing the amazing Alliance for Climate Education(ACE) presentation for high school students. ACE is a Climate Ride beneficiary - you can ride to support ACE or any of our 50+ environmental and bike advocacy non-profits.

Paul Hawken - Keynote address at the Climate Ride finale, May 23 at San Francisco City Hall 

Paul is an environmentalist, entrepreneur, and author. His work includes starting ecological businesses, writing about the impact of commerce on living systems, and consulting with heads of state and CEOs on economic development, industrial ecology, and environmental policy.

Paul has appeared on numerous media including the Today Show, Larry King, Talk of the Nation, Charlie Rose, and has been profiled or featured in hundreds of articles including the Wall Street Journal, Newsweek, Washington Post, Business Week, Esquire, and US News and World Report. His writings have appeared in the Harvard Business Review, Resurgence, New Statesman, Inc, Boston Globe, Christian Science Monitor, Mother Jones, Utne Reader, Orion, and many other publications.

He authors articles, op-eds, and peer-reviewed papers, and has written seven books including four national bestsellers The Next Economy (Ballantine 1983), Growing a Business (Simon and Schuster 1987), and The Ecology of Commerce (HarperCollins 1993) and Blessed Unrest (Viking, 2007). The Ecology of Commerce was voted in 1998 as the #1 college text on business and the environment by professors in 67 business schools. Natural Capitalism: Creating the Next Industrial Revolution (Little Brown, September 1999) co-authored with Amory Lovins, has been read and referred to by several heads of state including President Bill Clinton who called it one of the five most important books in the world today...(click here to read Paul's full biography including the companies he's founded, his work with Martin Luther King Jr., and his travels.)

Paul plans to ride ride the last day with the Climate Riders!

Melanie Nutter - Director, SF Environment

In July of 2010, Mayor Gavin Newsom appointed Melanie as the Director of the San Francisco Department of Environment. Nutter leads the Department of Environment, which helps all San Francisco residents and businesses take an active role in protecting and enhancing the urban environment, produces and publicizes information on sustainable practices, and develops innovative and practical environmental
programs for all residents on zero waste, green building, climate and energy, toxics reduction and clean transportation.

Beginning in 2005, Nutter served as Deputy District Director for the U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi, where she managed the Speaker’s district office by supervising staff, addressing constituent concerns, and advising on local policy issues. Nutter functioned as the district policy liaison to Speaker Pelosi’s
policy advisors on issues including the environment, energy, transportation, environmental health, women’s issues, and food policy.

Nutter founded and is Chair Emeritus for the Energy and Environment Circle for the Full Circle Fund with the help of Vice President Al Gore and green jobs advocate Van Jones. Nutter is also on the Planning Committee for the Urban Sustainability Director’s Network (USDN) and Co‐Chair’s USDN’s Innovation Fund. Nutter has
been a grassroots environmental organizer with Greenbelt Alliance, the Public Interest Research Groups(PIRG), and Green Corps. Nutter holds a Bachelor’s of Science degree from Northwestern University in Communications and Environmental Studies.

Dermot Hikisch - B Lab 

Dermot Hikisch is the Head of Community Development at B Lab and leads B Lab's efforts to expand the community of Certified B Corporations, establishing Benefit Corporations as a recognized corporate form, and the emergence of GIIRS, the Global Impact Investing Rating System.

He is the former Head of Research for UK-based ENDS Carbon and Wind Power Intelligence. His work included producing intelligence reports, developing climate-risk indices for FTSE, and rating Europe’s largest brands on their carbon performance. He has been published in the fields of business and water insecurity, climate change, true cost accounting, and CSR in Canada. As a consultant he has worked with SMEs, Fortune 500 companies, the UNPRI, and major municipalities. Previously, he led the research team for Climate Counts, and was a sustainability ambassador with Procter & Gamble.

Dermot launched Red Bull Energy Drink into Canada and fought forest fires for nearly a decade. He really likes trees. He has a MSc. in Strategic Leadership towards Sustainability from Sweden, resides in San Francisco.

Joint Presentation by Renee Rivera and Corinne Winter: The growing national movement towards Bike Share plus the local Bay Area Bike Share launch coming this fall

Renee Rivera - Executive Director, East Bay Bicycle Coalition 

Renee Rivera joined the East Bay Bicycle Coalition (EBBC) in 2011 as executive director, after many years as a volunteer, board member, and most recently acting executive director at the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition. Renee has a background in non-profit financial management and administration, and worked for many years at the Exploratorium in San Francisco. Her position as executive director at the EBBC allows her to bring her management, financial, and administrative experience to bear on her passion for bicycling and bicycle advocacy.  Renee was honored this year by the Alliance for Biking and Walking with the Susie Stephens Joyful Enthusiasm award.

Corinne Winter - Executive Director, Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition 

Corinne Winter joined the Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition as Executive Director in 2005. She is passionate about bicycle advocacy and other transportation, land use, and environmental issues. She is responsible for implementing the vision of the organization as defined by the Board of Directors. Corinne chairs the board of TransForm, and serves on the Board of Directors for the League of American Bicyclists(LAB), the Bay Area Bicycle Coalition Board, the City of San José Downtown Parking Board, and the Women Bike Advisory Board. In 2011, Corinne was honored as one of 100 Women of Influence by the Silicon Valley/San José Business Journal.

Stuart Cohen, Executive Director, TransForm 

In 1997 Stuart Cohen co-founded TransForm.  TransForm has shaped Bay Area campaigns for transportation funding measures that have brought over $6 billion for public transportation, bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure.  He also co-founded ClimatePlan, a statewide network promoting smart land use as a critical climate strategy. Stuart was awarded an Ashoka Fellowship and Irvine Leadership Award for TransForm's innovative programs such as GreenTRIP, which certifies model developments that dramatically reduce car trips and emissions while promoting more affordable homes.

Previously, Stuart worked with ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability as a researcher on the climate impacts of alternative transportation policies and fuels, and at NYPIRG (New York Public Interest Research Group) as a toxics campaign coordinator and Statewide Canvass Director. Stuart received a Master's Degree in Public Policy (MPP) from the Goldman School of Public Policy at U.C. Berkeley.

AshEL Eldridge - Lead Educator, Alliance for Climate Education 
AshEl Eldridge, a native of Chicago, is currently an Oakland, California based artist, educator, organizer and spiritualist. He was Outreach Associate and a Cultural Director of Green For All's Public launch called Dream Reborn and Spotlight Events Coordinator for Green Jobs Now: A National Campaign to Build the New Green Economy.

He performs spoken word, rap and sings nationally with conscious Hip Hop, Dub, Reggae and Electronica bands including Wisdom and Bassnectar. He has shared stages with Steel Pulse, KRS-One, STS9, Michael Franti, Midnite, Ozomatli and more. In addition to being a music, poetry, and meditation facilitator with Art in Action, where he works to empower low-income youth from urban communities, AshEL also combines the world of art, music and community healing with ecological sustainability within the CommuniTree Movement.

His work aims to cultivate the links between both local and global movements for social justice, spiritual awakening and ecological healing through "edutainment" and other compelling ways to captivate youth and hard to reach populations.

Frankie Ridolfi - Vice President of Marketing, Free Range Studios 

You know the Story of Stuff right? Introducing Team Free Range Studios, the master storytellers and creators of the Story of Stuff, and their team captain Frankie Ridofi. Frankie's back for his 2nd ride. Frankie leads Free Range’s marketing strategy and execution, listening for customer needs with all his Spidey Senses and imagining exciting new ways to deliver value. He is passionate about using his 17 years of experience in marketing innovative organizations and products to advance environmental and social efforts. Previously, he worked at NASA, SETI and the National Observatories. He has a BA in Geology and Archaeology from Carleton College where he did field studies of climate change and mass-extinctions in Italy and Greece. He was a founding employee of two tech start-ups, one that delivers ethics programs to tens of millions of employees in corporations, and one that helps organizations measure their cradle-to-grave environmental impacts caused by consumption cycles, the systemic problem portrayed in “The Story of Stuff.”

Tim Frick - Entrprenuer, Writer and Owner of Mightybytes, a web design and digital marketing company 

Tim is the owner of Mightybytes, a web design and digital marketing company located in Chicago. Mightybytes is an Illinois B Corp believing in social and environmental responsibility. He is also the author of books on media and marketing, including Return on Engagement: Content, Strategy and Design Techniques for Digital Marketing from Focal Press and Managing Interactive Media Projects, an interactive media process guide from Delmar-Cengage Learning.

Tim’s books are used at higher learning institutions across the U.S. and Europe, including Johns Hopkins University, the Art Institutes, and Full Sail University, among others. He regularly presents at conferences, offering workshops on various aspects of marketing, digital media, social responsibility, and entrepreneurship. Tim contributes to a variety of publications, including Spin Sucks, Marketing Profs, and Business Insider, to name a few. He also sits on the board of Climate Ride, the national bike ride for sustainable solutions, as well as the advisory council for Eco-Andersonville.

Tim will speak about the Eco-Grader which was just featured in Fast Company.

Jeremy Madsen - Executive Director, Greenbelt Alliance

Jeremy Madsen is the Executive Director of Greenbelt Alliance, the San Francisco Bay Area’s leading smart growth and land conservation advocacy organization. Since his tenure began in 2008, Madsen has led Greenbelt Alliance in protecting over a million acres of Bay Area farms and natural areas and shaping good development plans for the region’s large and small cities. As Executive Director, Jeremy Madsen sets and implements the organization’s strategic goals and manages its operations. He is the leader of Greenbelt Alliance’s policy and advocacy efforts to keep and improve what’s special about the Bay Area. Jeremy comes to Greenbelt Alliance from The San Francisco Foundation, where he helped to launch the Great Communities Collaborative and supported social equity, affordable housing, and smart growth efforts around the Bay Area. A graduate of George Washington University,he earned a master’s degree in Environmental Studies from the University of Oregon.

Trina Peterson - Director of Development, 1% For the Planet  

Trina brings a multi-faceted background as an entrepreneur, non-profit board chair, venture capitalist, business strategy consultant, and wilderness skills educator to her work as Director of Development at 1% for the Planet.  Her passion for the environment took root early and has led her to great work and play adventures throughout her life.  Trina graduated from Princeton University and received an MBA from Dartmouth's Tuck School.  She has served on the boards of the National Outdoor Leadership School, The Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics, The Watershed School, and the Women's Wilderness Institute.  In the business arena, she has helped fund, found, and take public SweetWater, Inc., and has provided provided strategic counsel, market research, and business planning to a variety of clients.  Trina is based with her family in the mountains west of Boulder, CO.

Samuel P. Schuchat — Executive Officer, State of California Coastal Conservancy

Sam became Executive Officer of the Coastal Conservancy in July 2001. He is also the Secretary to the California Ocean Protection Council and serves on the boards of the Los Cerritos Wetlands Authority, the Baldwin Hills Conservancy, and the Santa Monica Bay Restoration Commission. He was the Executive Director of the Federation of State Conservation Voter Leagues from 1998 to 2001; the Federation is the trade association of 26 environmental Political Action Committees (PAC) in as many states. From 1992 to 1998 he was the Executive Director of the California League of Conservation Voters, the nation’s largest and oldest state environmental PAC with 25,000 members.

Sam has an extensive background in fund-raising and management of not-for-profit organizations. He has worked as a community and union organizer, has raised money for community art projects, and was the deputy director of Sacramento AIDS foundation in the late 1980s. He served on the California Fish and Game Commission from 1999 to 2004 including two years as Vice-President. He is currently serving on the Board of Temple Sinai in Oakland.

Carl Mears - Senior Scientist, Remote Sensing Systems

Carl has been obsessed with weather and climate ever since he was a kid. He spent hours listening to the NOAA weather radio and wondering if it was going to snow enough to cancel school the next day.  Since he lived near Seattle, it didn’t actually snow all that often.  Fortunately, school thing worked out in the end since he stuck it out to get a PhD.  He has been studying the climate (professionally) for about 15 years at a small company, Remote Sensing Systems, which specializes in developing algorithms and techniques for analyzing data from satellites that measure the weather and climate. He contributes to numerous national and international climate assessments, including reports by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the U.S. Global Change Research Program.  He will tell some stories about the why and how of using satellites to measure climate change, and how these measurements can be compared to predictions made by climate models.

Dirk Rosen - Executive Director, Marine Applied Research and Exploration (MARE) 

Dirk is the founder and Executive Director of MARE.  He has 25+ years of deepwater vehicle design, build and operations experience with remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) and manned submersibles.  He has led or co-led 22 ROV ocean surveys assessing Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), exploring deepwater National Marine Sanctuaries, performing baseline assessments for wave power and seismic survey sites, and evaluating the impacts of fishing gear.  Most recently Dirk and MARE completed the second deepwater survey of the Southern California MPAs.  Dirk founded MARE in 2003 as a not-for-profit research organization to apply underwater technologies with science to answer marine ecosystem questions.  Prior to starting MARE, Dirk was president of Deep Ocean Engineering, test pilot for all three Deep Rover 1,000 meter-rated manned submersibles, and a designer/operator of the Phantom and Bandit Remotely Operated Vehicle systems, (of which more than 500 were built).  Later at Hawkes Ocean Technologies he was the project manager for the 11,000 meter rated Challenger, a manned submersible designed to go to the deepest point in the ocean, the Marianas Trench.  He currently serves as the engineering reviewer for California’s Resources Agency Sea Grant Advisory Panel.

Lisa Daniels - Executive Director, Windustry 

Lisa is the executive director and founder of Windustry, which has been providing wind energy information and technical assistance to farmers, ranchers, elected officials, rural utilities and other interested groups since 1997. Currently, Lisa leads Windustry in contracts with the US Dept of Energy and US Dept of Agriculture and in the past with National Renewable Energy Laboratory on the Wind Powering America initiative. Nationally, Lisa serves on the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) Community Wind Work Group Steering Committee. Lisa is also a founding member and on the Board of Directors for Women of Wind Energy (WoWE). She was recognized in 2004 by the US Dept of Energy Wind Powering America program, with the Chicago Regional Office Wind Advocacy Award for regional leadership, creativity, and commitment to wind energy development, and honored again in 2005 for her work with Wind Powering America’s Agriculture Outreach Team. Lisa received a B.S. in Business Management from Bentley College in Waltham, Massachusetts. She loves to canoe and kayak, and enjoys horseback riding and Nordic skiing with her family.

Amanda Riley - Adventure Cycling Association

Amanda will speak about the progress of Adventure Cycling Association's U.S. Bicycle Route System - the largest official cycling route network in the world.

State of the Air 2013 - California tops the chart for air pollution in American cities. See the list of the top cities to hold your breath while visiting.

We've highlighted German advances in green tech at several Climate Rides - Now the pressure from fracking operators and and shale gas exporters is heating up. Can they fight the pressure?

On the heels on NYC's new bike share, Chicago is ready to roll out a bike share program this summer!