Climate Ride benefits Bicycle Coalition

The Sonoma Bicycle Coalition is one of  25 nonprofit beneficiary organizations  sharing in more than $300,000 in donations from Climate Ride, the national bike ride for sustainable solutions. Ten riders from the local group took part in the second California Climate Ride last October, helping to earn $12,424.18 for their organization.

“They really jumped on board this year,”  said Ride Director Blake Holiday, “We’re really happty to support them.”

The donated funds were raised during two cycling events in 2011 – Climate Ride NYC-DC last May and Climate Ride California last October. In all, 217 cyclists pedaled more than 620 miles to raise awareness of sustainability, renewable energy, climate solutions, and bicycle advocacy.

“We’re very proud to reach this threshold of $300,000 in grants for the year because it represents a 262% increase over last year’s grants, without an increase in staff costs, which means we worked harder and smarter this year,” said Caeli Quinn, Co-Founder and Director of Climate Ride.

The grants for 2011 range from $1,291 to $34,265. The grant amounts vary because participants are allowed to direct their specific fundraising dollars to a list of pre-approved nonprofits.

Additional nonprofits that will receive the 2011 grants include: 350.org, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, Natural Resources Defense Council, San Francisco Bicycle Coalition, Green America, 1% for the Planet, Transportation Alternatives, East Bay Bicycle Coalition, Solar Living Institute, Walk San Francisco, Environmental Working Group, Climate Protection Campaign, and Sierra Club California.

Plans for the third epic Climate Ride California were announced recently. Some150 Climate Riders are  expected pedal more than 320 miles from Eureaka to San Francisco in 5 days, from September 9-13, 2012. The California ride begins under towering redwoods along the Avenue of the Giants in Humboldt Redwoods State Park, before turning west toward the coast for two full days of some of the most scenic cycling in America. After a quick spin through the Russian River Wine Country, Climate Riders pedal across the Golden Gate Bridge to finish at a rally at City Hall in San Francisco. More information about the event –and its east coast counterpart--can be found at www.climateride.org.