We got to sleep in this morning for a leisurely start at 9 am. This would be a good warm up day for us as most of the route would be relatively level. We launched in small groups to begin our 320 miles journey to San Francisco. For the next five days most of the group would not be getting in a car. The highlight of this day was the 28 miles ride through the Avenue of the Giants, the largest remaining stand of Redwoods in the world. Once, these majestic giants covered the northern coast of California. But massive logging in the 19th and 20th centuries has confined these elders to the protected groves such as these. I noted as I rode beneath their shade, that these trees are crucial for sequestering the carbon that is overheating our planet. Humboldt Redwoods State Park covers over 51,000 acres ands stretches for 40 miles. The park has more than 17,000 acres of old growth redwoods. The oldest recorded redwood tree, more than 2,200 years old, still lives in the park. I’ve driven this road many times but I’ve never experienced it the way I did this day. You just don’t get to see the forest for the trees when you’re looking through a windshield of a fast moving vehicle. At the steady pace of 15 mph with nothing obscuring my views, I got to experience the scenery up close and personal. The Eel River runs through the area – who knew? Ok, I knew that the river was there before, but I didn’t get to see it as it wound its way south. The water was down to a trickle, a veritable eel snaking its way through its broad banks. This would be normal in September, but in May, it should have been gushing from winter rains. But his was a draught year so no rains to swell its banks. Is this draught the result of Climate Change, I wondered as I pedaled through. No one weather event can conclusively be attributed to the warming of the planet. What we do know is that Climate Change will cause an increase in frequency and intensity of hurricanes, tornadoes, draught, wildfires, and super storms. We ignore the signs at our own peril. A sobering thought to an otherwise beautiful day among the ancients. That evening we heard from a few of the folks who are doing something to turn this culture green. Lisa Daniels, Founder and Director of Windustry was biking the ride with her husband John and college aged daughter Caroline, who is studying environmental studies in Maine. Windustry has provided high quality wind energy information to varied audiences of farmers, rural landowners, elected officials, utility representatives, community planners, farm management educators, and bankers since the mid-1990s. They help small rural communities to wade through the obstacles to develop wind power rather than rely on the large corporate wind farms. Another rider, Trina Peterson is development director for 1% for the Planet. Since 2002, 1% for the Planet has inspired members of the business community to contribute 1% of sales to environmental groups around the world. In return, this growing alliance of companies is given the opportunity not only to see their self-worth rise, but their net worth climb as well. Other speakers talked about promoting cycling routes throughout the country and helping companies form public benefit corporations – something now available in California thanks to then Assemblyman Jared Huffman.
www.climateride.org
Wendi’s donation page
Speaker information
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