Greetings from The Capitol!

Yep, I made it! The energy (all of it sustainable, I might add) and enthusiasm made the last ride down to the Capitol a really amazing experience. It was a lot of fun. I met a lot of interesting people and learned a lot of new things on this ride. Aside from the sheer accomplishment, the experience was certainly memorable.

Now that the Climate Ride 2009 is over, I don't know how much more I'll be posting here in the future. But, who knows what will come next. . . . .

Climate Ride 2010?????

Down Trail

So after a nice ride down the Capital Crescent Trail . . . .

We are gathering at the Thompson Boat Center, getting ready for our last leg on to the Capitol . . . .

Greetings from Silver Spring MD

Almost 50 miles in just the morning. Interesting ride through the northern suburbs of DC. Some drivers were a little annoyed that this large group of cyclists were messing up their morning commute. But other than that the ride has been pretty easy going and energizing.
Speaking of energy, I should go find some lunch. Then down the Capital Crescent Trail into DC.

On the road on Day Five

So we are on the road somewhere southwest of Baltimore. Legs are still going strong and yet my energy is building as we get closer to DC. Forty-four miles to go!

Day four: Holtwood, PA to Reistertown, MD

So the word for today was HILLS and lots of them. Oh and throw a little wind into the mix and you get a very hard ride for the day. But it was a great ride. Just to give you an idea of the terrain look at these road signs.

Okay, it wasn't so bad. Our photographer, Kip, was always around taking pictures. And when he wasn't laying around in the road taking pictures, he would lend a hand with an extra push over the top of the hill.

But seriously the day was long and hard, and also as rewarding as the previous three. There was a lot of inspiration gained from the shared endeavor. We were even joined by the Embassador to Denmark on our ride today. In the evening he spoke to is about the upcoming COP 15 summit in Copenhagen.
But I also had some inspiration during my ride from the previous evening's talks. In particular Roz Savage spoke about her rowing voyages across both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Something she said really struck a chord with me. She presented the notion that each rowing stroke is a single small effort, but if we all engage in individual efforts that can help our planet then indeed we can cross oceans and bring
about a world that has a sustainable future. If it is possible for me to make one peddle stroke after another, then it is possible to make small
changes in my household's impact on the environment and climate.

Colin Beavan, a.k.a. No Impact Man, spoke about how important it is for each of us who are engaged in conversations about sustainabilty to open up our own minds so that we can find ways to constructively engage the disinterested parties at the local and regional level, because a national movent will not take place unless there is a change in our national culture that also takes place or the regional and local level..

That cultural change starts at home. The last few days have made me miss my home and family, but I am sure that when I get home I will be endeavoring for us to make take some strokes to change the world for the better. And I also want to share that vision with friends and colleagues who just need a small nudge to make a few small strokes of their own.
So today was 57 miles through hill country with the wind in my face. Tomorrow it's 68 miles to the Capitol, the ride is mostly downhill. But there is a lot more work ahead than a downhill ride.

Day three: Phoenixville to Holtwood

So yesterday it was rain.  Today's word is WIND!  And lots of it.  The calm wake up in the meadow below the Phoenixville YMCA was not at all a predictor of the tempest of wind to hit us once we got out of the Hopewell Furnace Valley.  The ride was great, but it was real work just to keep the bike on the road, so I don't have a lot of pictures.  I will try to add some when I get to a place with a little better 3G connection.

The ride took us up to St. Peters and then through Morgantown where the wind really kicked in.  Down through New Holland on our way to Strasburg.  Didn't get a chance to ride on the railroad there, but my Mom did come down to meet me at our water stop.  It's nice to have such family support.

As I was pushing hard against the wind today I had time to think about the things that I have been hearing during the evening talks. One of the things that drew me to Climate Ride was that it was billed as a "climate conference on wheels", and sounded intriguing to the scientist in me.  Indeed I have not been disappointed.  One speaker who stood out last night was Alison Gannett and her method for examining and eventually reducing one's own carbon footprint. I strongly urge people to look into her website at www.alisongannett.com and her method of CROP.  Very intersting suggestions.

So after a short rain shower (yep we were still dogged by rain!), I left Mom and Strasburg for the final push to Holtwood.

And so after about 68 more miles today, I can say that my butt is a little sore, my legs are a little stiff, but I am still full of energy and (almost) ready for another day's ride into Maryland.

Day Two: Princeton to Phoenixville, PA

So today we retraced, in reverse, the path that Washington and the Continental Army took in that winter over 230 years ago. And the word for the day was RAIN. We started out in a steady drizzle, breaking our camp after a steady overnight rain. The ride was damp, but I had strong motivation to keep going, since we were heading to Lambertville where my family was waiting to cheer me on.

Saying goodbye to the family (again) was hard, but it was time to head off across the Delaware River and on to lunch in Doylestown. After lunch, the rain started to clear and we continued west crossing the Schyulkill river eventually heading through Valley Forge.

And just after leaving the park I ran into a heavy downburst and got soaked all over again.
Finally dried out now after setting up camp in Phoenixville.

All told, almost 68 miles. today. Legs still feeling good. Hopefully I can say the same tomorrow!