NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Contact: Caeli Quinn, Executive Director, Climate Ride, 406.871.5477, [email protected]
100 CYCLISTS TAKE THE MESSAGE OF SUSTAINABILITY AND BICYCLE ADVOCACY FROM NEW YORK CITY TO WASHINGTON, DC
Nation’s Largest Environmental Charitable Bicycle Ride to Begin in New York City
September 20; 100 Green Organizations to Benefit; Finale at Nation’s Capitol September 24
NEW YORK, NY – September 16, 2014: Climate Ride will return for its sixth annual East Coast ride, which will be held September 20 – 24, 2014 and will see more than 100 cyclists pedal through historical towns and along picturesque country routes on their way to the nation’s capital. The 5-day, 300-mile cycling adventure will raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for nearly 100 of the nation’s leading environmental and bike advocacy organizations.
“Every day we see new environmental crises and challenges, but when Climate Ride participants realize they have the power to take action and change lives, they elevate expectations for their communities and for themselves,” said Caeli Quinn, Climate Ride’s Executive Director and Co-Founder. “In 2013, we granted more than $510,000 to groups that our participants selected. This is an incredibly empowering experience to raise funds, ride your bike and see the impact in the areas that you want to support. This bicycle ride has a profound impact on people personally, and helps move the country to a sustainable future.”
The ride begins at 9:00 am on Saturday, September 20, in lower Manhattan at DCTV, 87 Lafayette Street. It’s the start of a 300-mile journey that will culminate with a group ride into Washington D.C., where a finale event will take place on Wednesday, September 24 at 4:00 pm in front of the U.S. Capitol. The complete list of nearly 30 speakers and roundtable leaders for Climate Ride NYC-DC 2014 can be found at www.climateride.org/about-our-events/speakers.
Climate Ride has an innovative beneficiary structure, which allows participants to direct their event fundraising to the organizations of their choice. This structure allows organizations related to sustainability, renewable energy, climate and bicycle advocacy to receive funding from Climate Ride events. In 2014 Climate Ride estimates that it will grant more than $620,000 to nearly 100 beneficiaries. A full list can be found at www.climateride.org/fundraising/beneficiaries.
The ride features some of the best and brightest minds working in the areas of sustainability, renewable energy and bicycle advocacy. On Climate Ride, participants pedal 45-70 miles each day, and then engage in a curated evening program that highlights ideas, advocacy and social entrepreneurship.
About Climate Ride
Climate Ride is a nonprofit organization founded to change lives through sport and provide support for the sustainability movement. Started as a five-day bike ride from NYC to Washington D.C. six years ago, Climate Ride has grown into an idea catalyst and leading funder of the environmental and active transportation movement. Climate Ride now convenes four annual Climate Ride events, which bring together hundreds of people to share knowledge, raise funds and advance sustainability. Climate Ride speakers have included top sustainability thinkers, eco-heroes, and policy experts.
In 2014, Climate Ride’s events include the California Wine Country Ride (May 17-20th, 2014), the Glacier Montana Hike (August 24-28th, 2014), the new Midwest Ride (September 6-9th, 2014) and the NYC-DC Ride (September 20-24th). Climate Ride also offers an endurance program called Independent Challenges, which empowers people to design their own events for the cause. Climate Ride events raise money for a collection of innovative organizations including 350.org, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), Transportation Alternatives, National Parks Conservation Association, Washington Area Bicyclist Association, 1% for the Planet, and more.
Carbon offsets, hybrid or high-fuel economy support vehicles and near zero-waste catering are a few of the innovative measures that Climate Ride has successfully implemented. The ride offers people who share a passion for green living and cycling a chance to make a difference. Each Climate Rider pays a registration fee of $100 and then raises at least $2800 to participate in this 5-day, fully-supported event.
More information on registration for upcoming events can be found at www.climateride.org. 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 evening program. Sponsorship opportunities are available for 2015 Climate Ride events. For more information, please contact Caeli Quinn, Executive Director, at 406-871-5477 or [email protected].
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