NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Contact: Caeli Quinn, Climate Ride Executive Director, 406.871.5477, [email protected]
MORE THAN 100 CYCLISTS TO PEDAL 300 MILES BRINGING THE MESSAGE OF SUSTAINABILITY AND BICYCLE ADVOCACY IN FIRST-EVER MIDWEST CLIMATE RIDE
Nation’s Largest Environmental Charitable Bicycle Ride from Grand Rapids to Chicago to begin Sept 6; Sustainability Leaders from Local and National Organizations to present at Nightly Speaker Series
GRAND RAPIDS, MI – September 2, 2014: The inaugural Climate Ride Midwest will be held September 6 – 9, and will see more than 100 cyclists pedal Michigan’s top-rated cycling routes and bike trails, along Lake Michigan’s shores, and into the heart of Chicago. The 4-day, 300- mile cycling adventure will raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for more than 100 of the nation’s leading environmental and bicycle advocacy organizations.
“We are thrilled to bring the excitement and impact of Climate Ride to the Midwest for the first time,” said Caeli Quinn, Executive Director of Climate Ride. “We’ve heard from so many of our supporters in Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, Wisconsin, and Minnesota that they’d like to see a Climate Ride closer to home, so we’re delighted to roll out this new, exciting 4-day ride from Grand Rapids to Chicago. With this event, we’ll see our grants program impact local communities in the Midwest while shining a light on innovative green projects in the Great Lakes Region and beyond.”
The ride will begin in Grand Rapids, Michigan on Saturday, September 6, the start of a 300-mile journey that will culminate with a group ride along the Lakefront Bike Path to the heart of Chicago. Like the organization’s other two national events, Climate Ride Midwest 2014 will benefit nearly 100 hardworking environmental and bicycle-related nonprofits including: Greater Grand Rapids Bicycle Coalition, 350.org, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), Active Transportation Alliance, Citizens’ Greener Evanston, 1% for the Planet, Climate Cycle, League of Illinois Bicyclists, National Parks Conservation Association, and West Michigan Environmental Action Council (WMEAC).
“WMEAC is excited to be riding alongside so many incredible organizations from across the region and helping raise awareness about the effects of climate change on the Midwest,” said Mary Robinson, Director of Development for WMEAC. “We expect the partnerships and friendships we’ll create during this event will help Michigan and the whole Great Lakes Region become more climate-resilient into the future.”
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 its beneficiary collection and regional groups working in Chicago and every major American city. A full list can be found at www.climateride.org/fundraising/beneficiaries.
“There’s great potential for Climate Ride to have a real impact in the Midwest through supporting the hard work of its local beneficiary partners,” said Tim Frick, Climate Ride Board Member, and Owner of Chicago-based Mightybytes. “Having a Climate Ride event here means participants can ride locally and raise funds for their favorite local environmental organizations, which advocate on their behalf for environmentally-friendly legislation, clean and renewable energy solutions, sustainability, and active transportation. Our team is ready to ride!”
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 has granted more than $1.5 Million since 2008 and that amount is expected to exceed $2 Million in 2014. 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), the Glacier Montana Hike (August 24-28th), the new Midwest Ride (September 6-9th) and the NYC- DC Ride (Sept 20-24th). Climate Ride also offers an endurance program called Independent Challenges, which empowers people to design their own events for the cause.
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 4-day, fully supported event.
Registration for Climate Ride’s other 2014 events is open 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 events. For more information, please contact Caeli Quinn, Executive Director, at 406-871-5477 or [email protected].
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