SF from Marin

On a bike ride in the Marin Headlands today. Perfect day!

SF International Day of Climate Action - 350.org

Here we are blocking traffic on the Embarcadero. Most of the motorists weren't too happy with us :-) I don't know if blocking traffic creats much sympathy for our cause. But, I have say it still felt kinda cool that we were getting a reaction. Some motorists actually beeped in solidarity with us and waved as they went by. Others weren't as sympathetic.

Today, I went to the SF International Day of Climate Action. This was one of 1000's of events around the world organized by 350.org and Greenpeace to bring the world's attention to the fact that we must reduce the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere down to 350 ppm to avoid the worst effects of climate change. We are currently at 389 ppm and rising. Check out 350.org to see the picture of all of us on the ground spelling out 350! I was somewhere in the 5.

Storming the Hill

What an amazing journey. sorry to keep these post so short for now. A lot going on... will post more later!

Making Our Approach

All the Climate Riders assembled to make our approach to the Capitol building a few blocks away.

We made it!

300 miles from NYC to the Capitol!!

Danish Ambassador on Climate Ride

Here I am with the Danish Ambassaor to the U.S., Friis Arne Petersen after having dinner with him at the end of day 4. Being Danish myself, we shared we shared a common heritage and had some interesting converstions about our cultures and how our two countries are each addressing climate change (or not addressing it).

We are now on the last day... only about 20 miles left to go! Today is a 68 mile ride to DC. Even though it's a long ride and we're all tired from the last 4 days, everyone is eager and excited to make the last push into our nation's Capitol to make a statement to our elected officials that we urgently need effective climate legislation!

No Impact Man

This is Colin Beavan in the middle and Geraldine Carter on the right. Colin is an author and creator/star of the documetary film 'No Impact Man.' The show is the real life story of Colin and his family as they attemp to live one year with as little impact on the enviroment as possible. It's very well done... you should see it. Geradine is one of the amazing co-founders of Climate Ride. She has been working hard to make sure everything is organized and that the is ride going smoothly, and doing a fantastic job!

The Lazy Environmentalist

Here I am at the beginning of day 4 with Josh Dorfman, star of the Sundance Channel TV show 'The Lazy Environmentalist.' He's been riding with us since day 1. You wouldn't know that Josh is a TV celebrity hanging out with him on the ride. He is very down to earth and personable, always willing to chat and take photos with his fans. It's been a pleasure riding with him on Climate Ride!

Challenging Day 3

Sorry for not posting for a while... the phone died and needed a charge.

The sun returned today - temporarily, anyway. Then another downpour in Strasburg, PA just a couple blocks before the ice cream stop. A bunch of us hung out there inside till the storm passed.

What a brutal day - rain, wind and hills! After training in the Oakland hills, I thought the hills on this ride would be easy... I was wrong. PA has major hills... Long and steep, and windy! The legs and knees got a little sore. But, I made it to our next camp without too much difficulty. Tonight we have bunk beds in cabins! What treat after two wet days and nights. I can finally dry out my stuff!

The ride has been amazing. I'm meeting so many awesome people. Everyone is friendly and in great spirits despite some difficulties along the ride... quite a few flat tires, some scrapes, pulled muscles and twiqued joints. But, no major accidents or injuries, thankfully. We have some presentations... gotta run for now.

After riding about 65 miles today, we arrived at our camp at the Phoenixville, PA YMCA. Today was wet, but all in all not a bad day. No major accidents. A few riders took some minor spills on the wet roads. I took my time and stayed safe. Dinners almost ready... I can't wait to eat!!

Shelter!

We had a short rain burst going through Valley forge. This tree provided temporary shelter for a few minutes. Only about 10 more miles till we reach our camp in Phoenixville. Too bad the rain couldn't wait! It's been pretty wet most of the day.

What gas?

No fossil fuels needed for this ride!

Lunch Break

We stopped for lunch in Doylestown, PA at our halfway point to Phoenixville... yes PBJ! It finally stopped raining... now hopefully I can dry off! We rode through some beautiful wooded country with great New New England charm.

Repairs!

A few flats on a rough section of road. Been rainy all morning... just a gentle mist. not bad. Feeling good today.

Rain! - Day 2

We arrived in Princeton last night after riding 60 miles. The weather was perfect - around 70 and partly sunny. My legs were a little tired at the end after a long uphill through the Princeton campus. But what a beautiful campus it is. We all set up our tents to create a lttle tent city. Then it rained all night. just a slow drizzle. but a lot of folks complained of getting water in their tents. Luckily mine stayed dry. Now I'm packing for another day of riding to Phoenixville, PA.

Lunch Break

After our visit at the CBS studio to be on the Early Show, we rode a few miles through Manhatten to the ferry boat. We stopped for a quick lunch break after our ferry ride to New Jersey. After lunch we were off for Princeton!

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Early Show

Climate Ride at the CBS Early Show (I think) in NY this morning.

Day 1 - Morning

Getting ready to start the ride from Central Park Zoo.

Ready to Ride!

I made my final adjustments to the Jamis yesterday. New seat, tires, chain and a tune up... I think she's ready for Climate Ride! Now I have to disassemble and get her into the box to take on the plane to NYC. I hope it all fits!

I will be leaving for NY early Friday morning (9/25) to meet up with the other Climate Riders. There's a kick off party Friday night. Then, we start riding for DC Saturday morning from Central Park! I'll be making updates here along the way till we arrive in DC Wednesday Sept 30. You can also follow the entire ride at http://www.climateridelive.org/

Bike Shadow

Most of my training this summer for Climate Ride is done in the Oakland hills behind my apartment in Rockridge. The hills are great for strength training and an intense cardio-vascular workout. But, since they wear me out pretty fast, I fear I won't have a lot of endurance for the long rides ahead from NY to DC.

I took this shot from my cell phone one night riding up Tunnel Road in Oakland as the sun was setting over the bay... the view of the entire Bay area from the Oakland hills is awesome, and made training a little more bearable! (guess I should have gotten a shot of the Bay... next time :-)