By Andy Hanshaw, Bike Coalition Executive Director
Having heard about the Climate Ride the last couple of years but unable to participate, I was excited to have the opportunity this year. What’s better, as one of the designated beneficiaries of the ride this year, my ride was also supporting the SDCBC! I have many friends and donors to thank for supporting me and helping me surpass my $2800 fund raising goal (yay!) but I also wanted to share a few thoughts and reflect back on what was an incredible week of riding, networking, thinking and advocating (not to mention a little wine tasting too).
My
journey started before Climate Ride even began on what was supposed to be our
annual Bike to Work Day here in San Diego County. As irony would have it, due
to local wildfires burning in and around the county, the decision was made the
day before Bike to Work Day to postpone the festivities in order to allow
maximum attention and resources to go to the greater need of controlling
the fires and saving area homes. A well-made decision from SANDAG in my
opinion, one that we at the SDCBC supported 100%. So as I flew to San
Francisco later that afternoon for the start of the ride, I couldn’t help but
think about how the issue of climate change truly effects all of us and this
was a rather unfortunate reminder that was literally too close to home.
Extra motivation and much to think about for the ride I was facing over the next
four days.
I
arrived in San Francisco, bike in box, on Friday evening and made my way via
cab to the staging are at the Presidio, an historic military base turned into a
national park site with housing and mixed use development right near the Golden
Gate Bridge. I was reminded of Liberty Station here at home in San Diego.
After checking in, unpacking, assembling my bike (with some great help
from the ride support team) and dinner with new friends in the city, I was set
to take off for my Climate Ride adventure.
Over
the next four days, I would ride with 140 others who were supporting so many
worthwhile environmental and bicycle advocacy organizations. The beautiful
250-mile trip through the Napa wine country would take us to evening stops in
Petaluma, Calistoga and Napa where camp was set up each night and an
evening program was held covering a range of topics from powerful and
insightful speakers. The first evening include brief presentations from
participants in the ride who were also beneficiaries of Climate Ride, Including
the SDCBC. I enjoyed sharing all of the great work we have been doing with many
of my professional colleagues and others of like-minded, mission-oriented
organizations.
The
actual rides were at times challenging with their rolling terrain but the
amazing scenery and near perfect weather all throughout the trip made the miles
go by rather easily. Well, that and destinations that also included a couple of
wineries and a local brewery (Lagunitas!). Great people to ride with all
along the way too. I’ve often felt that some of my best work-related thinking
has come on my bike saddle and I’ll now add some great networking to that too.
With bountiful rest stops and lunch stops each day, I’m not sure that after 250
miles, that I didn’t actually gain weight on the trip…very tasty!
On
the final day of the ride, the group set out on the longest leg of the trip; a
75-mile pedal from Napa to the finish in Sacramento. As we approached the city,
we all gathered at a nearby park to finish and celebrate the ride together at
the steps of the Capitol in Sacramento. We were greeted by a cheering
crowd and we heard from a few of our state elected leaders who are supporting
and sponsoring important legislation to fight the effects of climate change.
After several group photos and final goodbyes, our trip was complete. An
exhausting, exhilarating and unforgettable ride!
My
time in Sacramento was not over yet however as I was able to participate on the
next day in the statewide Bicycle Advocacy Day organized by our friends at the
California Bicycle Coalition, www.calbike.org . Two others joined my on the
Climate Ride supporting the SDCBC and they were also on hand to meet with our
state legislators as we advocated for protected bikeways, road safety measures
and increased funding for bicycle infrastructure. Thanks to my fellow Climate
Riders Nicole Burgess (yes, she rode the entire trip in her flip flops!) and
Judi Tentor for joining the ride and supporting the SDCBC.
And
thanks to all of you for supporting the SDCBC. Keep pedaling!
Andy
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