In the midst of their journey from Bar Harbor to Boston, a large group of sustainability-minded cyclists stopped by the shores of Damariscotta Lake in Jefferson last week.
The group, Climate Ride, which has embarked on its travels to raise awareness of the need to deal with climate change, was made up of 125 cyclists traversing a 390-mile route through the coastal regions of Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts.
The riders arrived at Wavus Camp in Jefferson during the late afternoon hours of Friday, Sept. 18 on the second day of their five-day journey.
After traveling from Bar Harbor to Hope on the opening day of the ride, the cyclists moved down the Midcoast via one of two routes.
According to Climate Ride co-founder and Executive Director Caeli Quinn, riders had the choice to arrive at Wavus Camp via a 52-mile route or take part in a longer 72-mile trip featuring a 20-mile loop and a stop at Oxbow Brewing Company in Newcastle.
Quinn, a former international biking and hiking event leader who has traveled from Patagonia to Beijing, helped found Climate Ride in 2008.
She said the impacts of environmental degradation in and around Beijing helped spur her to get involved.
“That was my ‘aha!’ moment. I came back to the states and knew I had to do something,” Quinn said.
Those traveling with Climate Ride took part in the journey to help raise money and awareness for regional and national nonprofits working toward a more sustainable future.
Quinn said participants can choose to donate to a number of different organizations focused on various aspects of environmental advocacy.
“If you care about the environment, there is not a single silver bullet,” Quinn said.
She also said some of the funds raised by Climate Ride will return to Maine to organizations including the Bangor Land Trust.
Quinn was particularly proud of the impact younger members of Climate Ride have had on the organization.
“30 percent are 30 or younger. That is really unheard of for charity rides or philanthropic events,” Quinn said.
She said she was optimistic that youth advocacy for sustainability could show dividends in the future.
“They are proving we can increase giving to the environment,” Quinn said.
Another feature of the inaugural Climate Ride Northeast was a variety of guest speakers. Business, policy, public health, and science experts engaged the ride’s participants on topics of conservation and sustainability.
During the group’s journey from Bar Harbor to Boston, several presentations were delivered, in addition to “Ignite Nights,” where presenters had three minutes to engage their audience, and a number of roundtable discussions on sustainability.
David Shaw, a managing partner with the Black Point Group, presented on ocean conservation, while Jean Talbert, an obstetrician gynecologist from Falmouth, spoke on the topic of climate change and women’s health.
Eric Davidson, a professor at the University of Maryland and also a resident of Falmouth, presented on climate change mitigation.
Following their stay in Jefferson, the cyclists moved south to Ocean Park on their third day of biking and spent their fourth day traveling down the coast of New Hampshire before spending the night in Amesbury, Mass. and concluding the trek in the Boston Common.
The event’s goal is to raise $400,000 to support more than 100 sustainability, cycling advocacy, active transportation, and environmental causes.
In addition to the Climate Ride Northeast, the group organizes rides in California and the Midwest, in addition to hikes in Glacier, Bryce, and Zion national parks.
To date, Climate Ride has raised and contributed $2.28 million to a variety of environmental causes.
