The American Dream tells us to grow up, go to school, get a good job, move up the corporate ladder, have a family – 2.5 kids, a dog, and a picket fence, retire.

I grew up, went to school, got a good job, working my way through the ranks, engaged, saving in my 401K…

And it just doesn’t feel like enough.  I’m always working, yet I never have enough money.  I have a career in my field, yet I feel like I’m not contributing to the world around me.

I want to travel, I want to volunteer, I want to spend time with my family and my dog, I want to live off the grid, to make a difference, work in my garden.  I want to have time for the things that matter.  But I get up, go to work, come home, begrudgingly make dinner, go to bed, and am too tired for intimacy.  What kind of life is this?

What am I missing?

Olema to San Francisco – 40 miles

This morning we begin our last day with a hearty camp breakfast before making our way back to civilization. We pedal along the rugged coast to the idyllic seaside town of Stinson Beach, where we’ll enjoy a picnic lunch. Then it’s back along to coast to cross the Golden Gate Bridge into San Francisco. Here we will celebrate your huge contribution to help our beneficiaries fight for sustainability, green innovation, and renewable energy.¹

¹Descriptions courtesy of Climate Ride.

Duncans Mills to Olema – 60 miles

After two days along the coast, we head east to enjoy a taste of California’s epic Wine Country. We depart Duncan’s Mills and ride inland as the redwoods thin out and wineries become more plentiful. A dazzling patchwork of fall reds and oranges, the vineyards will be nearly ready for harvest. Stop in for a tasting, or visit the charming, quaint town of Guerneville- with its boutiques and cafes. In the afternoon, we head back toward the coast over rolling hills to Tomales Bay, where quiet roads wind along the idyllic bay past oyster beds and seafood shacks. Our day ends at our campground home for the night, near Point Reyes Station.¹

¹Descriptions courtesy of Climate Ride.

Mendocino to Duncans Mills – 65 or 100 miles

All day today, we wind along one of the most remote stretches of seaside highway in California. Small twists and turns in the road give way to dramatic vistas of the seemingly endless Pacific with windswept beaches and twisted Cypress trees. We pedal past the scenic lighthouse at Point Arena and historic Fort Ross, through tiny seacoast villages, before turning inland at the mouth of the mighty Russian River where our camp for the night awaits.

If 65 miles is enough for you, you can hop in our shuttle at Stewarts Point, and get a lift to camp. Or if 100 miles is more your style, this is your day to go for a century!¹

¹Descriptions courtesy of Climate Ride.

Richardson Grove to Ft. Bragg – 60 miles

Today’s morning called for a quick problem-solving session on the bike and then brought more redwoods and stunning vistas of the surrounding Northern California countryside before we tackled the famous Leggett Hill with a hearty climb of 1400 feet. Once at the top, we descended through manzanitas and moss-covered oaks to the spectacular coastline, dotted with sea stacks and sparkling azure lagoons. We continued along the rugged ribbon of Highway 1. A few more quick miles and we arrived at our hotel for the evening.¹ Originally we were supposed to camp, but because the day was a total rain day, camping in the rain was just not an option. The views along the ride were beautiful, but only shortly enjoyed due to the dropping temperatures and steady rain. Today was an intense day that took a lot of concentration to complete. About half the riders did not make it and were shuttled to the finish (not me).
After hot showers and dinner we heard from the Green Riders, an Ironman champion, and 1% for the planet.
Tomorrow we have to be ready at 5:30 am!

¹Descriptions courtesy of Climate Ride.

Eureka to Richardson Grove – 61 miles

The charity bike ride began in the heart of Northern California’s Redwood Empire. We pedaled south from ‘The Friendly City’ Fortuna and turned our tires toward the towering redwoods along the Avenue of the Giants in Humboldt Redwoods State Park. Once in the park, we rode past the largest remaining stand of virgin redwoods in the world, and enjoyed lunch in the shady shadow of these rare trees. After lunch, we passed through several small northern California towns that once boomed under the jagged saws of the logging industry. After a hearty first day’s ride, tonight we camp nestled under a soaring canopy of hundred-foot tall redwoods.¹

¹Descriptions courtesy of Climate Ride.

Climate Ride festivities kick off on Saturday morning, with the shuttle ride to Eureka (and all the fun stops in between). Dinner will be at America’s First Organic Brewery!! Camp for the night and start riding by 9am on Sunday!!

After the ride I will head home for 2 days, and then head to Iowa and Nebraska for the following week for work.

So much traveling!! And no time at home! I already miss Brian and Bailey immensely!

Can’t wait for Climate Ride!

Temra Costa – Nationally Recognized Sustainable Food and Farming Advocate

Temra Costa’s recent book, Farmer Jane: Women Changing the Way We Eat is the product of the past seven years she has spent working to promote a more vibrant local food economy in California and beyond. Her previous role as statewide director of California’s Buy Fresh Buy Local campaign, and other positions held with Community Alliance with Family Farmers, worked to engage stakeholders in our food system from farm to table.

Rebecca Calahan Klein – Vice President, Organizational Development at 1% For the Planet

Rebecca leads 1% for the Planet‘s organizational development efforts. During the past twenty years, she has worked with companies including Alcan, Clif Bar, Ford Motor Company, Gap, HP, Levi Strauss & Co., Nike, Target and Williams-Sonoma, Inc. on a broad range of environmental and sustainability issues. She has extensive experience building business networks at the local, state, national and international level and has held leadership positions in organizations including Organic Exchange, Business for Social Responsibility and the Massachusetts Green Business Alliance. These organizations have helped companies adopt more sustainable business practices, and leverage millions of dollars of investment in non-profit organizations throughout the world.

Brendan Brazier – Accomplished Vegan Athlete, Author and Expert on Plant-based Nutrition for Athletes

Brendan Brazier is a former professional Ironman triathlete, a two-time Canadian 50km Ultra Marathon Champion, a bestselling author on performance nutrition, and the creator of an award-winning line of whole food nutritional products called Vega.

Brendan is recognized as one of the world’s foremost authorities on plant-based nutrition for athletes. In an online Cornell University certificate program, Brendan presents a lecture based on his best-selling books entitled: Plant-Based Diet and Elite Athleticism. It is part of a new course presented by eCornell and the T. Colin Campbell Foundation.

Brendan’s intentions of spreading the word of an ethical, environmentally friendly, and healthy lifestyle through plant-based foods have taken him across North America, speaking at events such as the Chicago Green Festival and the United States Humane Society Gala. Brendan was also invited to address US Congress on Capitol Hill, where he spoke of the significant social and economic benefits that could be achieved by improving personal health through better diet. The focus of his speech was to draw attention to the role that food plays in the prevention of most chronic diseases currently plaguing North Americans.

Brendan’s latest book is called Thrive Foods: 200 Recipes for Peak Health and will be published in September, 2011.

Leah Shahum — Executive Director of the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition

Leah Shahum has served as Executive Director of the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition since 2002. For four years prior, she was the SFBC’s Program Director. Leah most recently served on the Board of Directors of the SF Municipal Transportation Agency. She previously served for five years on the 19-member Board of Directors of the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway, and Transportation District. She is also a San Francisco representative to the state Democratic Party.

Ruthie Matthes -- World Champion, National Champion, Olympian

These are a few of the many titles held by Ruthie Matthes. Beginning on the road in 1983, she won a hat trick of three National Road Championships in three disciplines (Road Race, Criterium and Team Time Trial), plus a silver medal at the World Road Race Championships. In 1990 Ruthie traded her slick tires for knobbies and grabbed the bronze medal at the World Mountain Bike Championships. Officially switching to mountain biking in 1991, she won the World Mountain Bike Championship and continued her winning ways over the next decade. Some of Ruthie’s top results include:

• World Mountain Bike Champion – 1991
• Grundig Mountain Bike World Cup Champion – 1992
• 5-Time US National Cross Country Champion-1996, 1997,1998, 2000, 2001
• US National Road Race Champion-1990
• US National Team Time Trial Champion – 1990
• US National Criterium Champion – 1989
• US Olympic Mountain Bike Team Member – 2000 Summer Olympic Games

In 2011, Ruthie remains highly involved in the cycling industry as the brand and product liaison for Magura Direct. She also serves as a cycling advocate and spokesperson for Focus Bicycles USA, who utilize Ruthie’s considerable expertise to further the cause of bicycle awareness, trail advocacy and the overall cycling experience.

Jamie Henn – 350.org Communications and Development Director

In 2009, Jamie coordinated media for over 5,200 simultaneous events in more than 180 countries, landing 350.org on front pages and newscasts around the world. CNN called the events “the most widespread day of political action in history.” As East Asia director for 350.org, Jamie coordinated nearly 500 events across East Asia, including over 300 rallies in China. In 2010, 350.org organized a Global Work Party on 10/10/10, with thousands of events planned across the globe where people got to work on climate solutions. Before co-founding 350.org with environmental writer Bill McKibben, Jamie helped lead the Step It Up 2007 campaign. He is a graduate of Middlebury College and co-author of the book Fight Global Warming Now.

Lauren Van Ham –Interfaith Eco-Chaplain and Sustainability Consultant

Lauren holds degrees from Carnegie Mellon University, Naropa University and The Chaplaincy Institute. She received her ordination as an interfaith minister in 1999 and served as a hospital chaplain for eight years. During her tenure as a healthcare chaplain, Lauren served on the hospital’s Environmental Action Committee where she advocated for more sustainable practices throughout the healthcare system, specifically regarding the reduction of single-use materials used in surgery and creative re-use and recycling for products formerly sent to the landfill.

Lauren also served as Executive Director for the non-profit organization, Green Sangha, a commmunity committed to spiritually-based environmental activism. In June of 2007, with her seminary’s endorsement, Lauren renewed her ordination vows and professed herself an “Eco-chaplain.” Wearing this hat, Lauren worked within corporate America as the Director of Consulting Services for Saatchi & Saatchi S, a sustainability agency providing facilitation and employee engagement retreats for Fortune 100 companies committed to becoming more sustainable in their business practices. Lauren was part of the team that traveled nationally, facilitating sustainability training retreats with the 1.3 million associates of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

She is featured in RENEWAL, an award-winning independent film, documenting America’s religious environmental movement. Currently, Lauren serves as Dean at her alma mater, The Chaplaincy Institute, an interfaith seminary in Berkeley, CA.

Johanna Gregory Partin – Director of Climate Protection Initiatives, Office of San Francisco Mayor Edwin M. Lee

Johanna Gregory Partin serves as Director of Climate Protection Initiatives in the office of San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee, where she advises Mayor Lee on citywide sustainable energy, climate, transportation, green building and other programs promoting sustainability for San Francisco. Ms. Partin served in the same position under Mayor Gavin Newsom from August 2009-January 2011. Ms. Partin is also a Board Member for the Bay Area Air Quality Management District and a Faculty Member for the Climate Leadership Academy.

From 2006-2009, Ms. Partin served as Renewable Energy Program Manager at the San Francisco Department of Environment, where she worked to help the City meet its renewable energy targets, focusing on the residential and commercial sectors. Ms. Partin has over 17 years’ experience in the fields of renewable energy, microfinance, gender equity and sustainable development, and has worked both locally and in more than 15 countries around the world. Johanna has a Master’s degree in Energy & Environmental Policy from the University of Delaware and a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies and Anthropology from UC Santa Barbara.

Nils Moe — Mayor’s Sustainability Advisor for the City of Berkeley

Nils Moe currently serves as the Mayor’s Sustainability Advisor for the City of Berkeley. In this role, he is helping to implement Berkeley’s Climate Action Plan and working with the city staff and the community to reduce their GHG emissions. Nils’ current position grew from a Presidio class project in which his team created a financial model for Berkeley’s innovative solar financing program, which has since become a national model of renewable energy financing (PACE).

Nils is currently a member of the East Bay Green Corridor’s Innovative Policy Committee and a steering committee member of the Bay Area Climate Collaborative. Most recently Nils participated in a United Kingdom Climate and Behavior Change delegation and was selected by the Heinrich Boll Foundation as one of five US representatives to meet with environmental leaders across Europe and the Garrett Institute’s Symposium on Behavior Change. He is currently co-chair for the National Public Engagement Sub-committee for the Urban Sustainability Director’s Network and faculty for the Institute for Sustainability Communities’ inaugural China Climate Leadership Academy Faculty 2010-2012.

During the last ten years he has been working as a professor of Organizational Psychology at San Francisco State University and has also co-founded two values-driven non-profits – Pinch Me Films, with a mission of promoting social change through compelling video and multimedia education; and Senior Surf, a non-profit enterprise with the goal of narrowing the increasing digital divide resulting from the senior community’s lack of exposure and affordable access to computer technology. In the past, he has worked in the private sector as a management consultant, specializing in program evaluation of non-profits and 360-degree feedback for Fortune 100 companies (including The Home Depot, The Federal Reserve Bank and United Airlines).

Peter Lehman – Founding Director of Schatz Energy Research Center and Professor of Environmental Resources Engineering at Humboldt State University

Lehman’s work at the Schatz Center focuses on renewable energy and hydrogen technologies. Under his direction, the Center built and operated a solar-hydrogen energy system for 20 years, designed and built the first fuel cell vehicle licensed to drive in the U.S. along with the first hydrogen fueling station and recently, designed and built a modern hydrogen fueling station on the HSU campus. Peter Lehman

Lehman’s current work includes producing a national hydrogen energy curriculum for high school students in collaboration with Lawrence Hall of Science at UC Berkeley, studying gasification of woody biomass, and photovoltaic module durability and degradation testing.

As a faculty member in the Environmental Resources Engineering Department, Lehman developed the energy resources option of the curriculum and served as department chair, guiding the department through national accreditation. He is the founding faculty advisor for the Campus Center for Appropriate Technology, a live-in and hands-on demonstration center at HSU that provides an opportunity for students to practice “living lightly on the earth.” Peter Lehman

Lehman has a B.S. in Chemistry from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry from the University of Chicago.

Ambessa Cantave — Alliance for Climate Education Educator

Ambessa is a ten-year veteran of the Bay Area’s art, non-profit and environmental justice community. He has extensive experience in youth leadership and workforce development, supporting students with creative solutions to approaching their individual lives or social iniquities. As Co-Founder and Co-Director of Grind for the Green, Cantave used hip-hop as a medium to talk about climate change. Now an Educator with ACE, Cantave has reached nearly 50,000 students in the Bay Area.

Rider-Speakers (5-minute presentations by Climate Riders)

Scott Warner — Scott has worked as a consulting hydrogeologist for more than 25 years – the past 20 with AMEC Geomatrix in Oakland, California – where his focus has been in developing and implementing treatment methods for removing contaminants from groundwater using technologies that are sustainable, require no energy, and are resource conservative. He received his M.S. in geology from Indiana Unviversity and B.S. in engineering geology from UCLA and also is a regular author on cycling related stories for the Marin County Bicycle Coalition quarterly newsletter, Pedal Press – including a recent article on local Marin County geology touring by bicycle. He also is a Vice President of the Marin School of the Arts Foundation and a Director with the San Francisco Bay Planning Coalition. Scott loves talking geology (as well as playing guitar and ukelele – key traits of a geologist) and looks forward to our pedaling adventure along the San Andreas Fault!

The Green Riders (brother and sister Catherine and Oliver Bock) rode electric recumbent bicycles across the country in the Spring of 2010. During their 2 month journey they visited a broad palette of sustainable projects and people dedicated to sustainability. From a wind turbine facility in Tehachapi to an Organic Farm in Kansas to a Green building renovation project in Illinois and to the municipality of Boulder where passionate City employees are creating more livable bicycle friendly communities. In addition, The Green Rider’s goal was to share the fun of electric bicycles and explore sustainability projects across America.

I have been working to raise $2400 for this fundraising event, I have 9 days left and $837 to go! I head to California on Friday September 30 and will arrive around midnight.

“Climate Ride California is a gorgeous cycling adventure that begins in California’s historic Redwood Empire near Eureka, travels along the scenic coast and ventures into the famed Russian River Valley before crossing the Golden Gate Bridge into San Francisco. Climate Ride California is more than a bike trip – it’s an inspiring journey with like-minded people who are united by their passion for sustainability, renewable energy, and bicycles – the ultimate carbon-free form of transportation.”

Climate Ride is a unique charitable event because participants, or Climate Riders, can select a specific beneficiary organization they will be raising money for, or they can select to raise funds for the entire collection. These beneficiaries were selected because they focus on clean energy, sustainability, climate education and/or bicycle advocacy. At the end of the year, Climate Ride tallies all the donations from all Climate Ride events and then grants the funds to these hard-working organizations. These grants are carefully tracked and periodic reports are provided by the beneficiaries.

I’m still accepting donations if you would like to donate to this amazing event! Donate to Climate Ride!