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...)

The Brita Climate Ride is a five day bike tour from New York City to Washington D.C. to promote solutions to global warming. But it is also much more. The ride is a fundraiser for the non-profits Clean Air – Cool Planet and Focus the Nation. Clean Air – Cool Planet works with cities, campuses, and businesses to reduce greenhouse gas pollution. Focus the Nation partners with legislators and colleges across the country, and recently staged the largest national teach-in in history. Both organizations understand the urgency of the problem, and our need for immediate action. Our riders will support these non-profits by asking their friends, family, neighbors, and themselves to donate. Each rider will raise $2,250. The ride is also a scenic five-day bike tour that will challenge and reward our riders. From September 20th to 24th, our riders will cover 320 miles, pushing themselves to show what is possible on bicycles. We at the Brita Climate Ride are thrilled how scenic our route is. There are excellent low-traffic roads linking our nation’s largest city and our nation’s capital. The route passes through rural New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Maryland, passing through wooded rolling hills, equine estates, and the pastoral scenes of Amish country. (more...)