ClimateRide Midwest: September 27-30, 2015
There is a ClimateRide planned to take place in the Midwest connecting Grand Rapids, MI and Chicago, to inspire and empower citizens to work toward a new energy future.
Climate Ride Midwest spans three states and connects two vibrant cities, while exploring some of the best cycling in the country. From the exciting trip start in Grand Rapids, MI – one of Bicycling Magazine’s Top 50 Bike-Friendly Cities, home to the world’s largest art competition, and known as the “Beer City” due to its many craft breweries – to the triumphant arrival in Chicago, the new Climate Ride Midwest will challenge, inspire, and surprise you as you pedal and connect with 100 other interesting climate and bicycle heroes.
On Climate Ride Midwest you’ll spend four days cycling through Michigan, Indiana, and Illinois on a scenic journey that explores the back roads of Lake Michigan. You’ll discover amazing scenery, stay at comfortable retreats and classic summer camps, and experience the thrill of touring by bicycle with a community united by their passion for sustainability, renewable energy, and bicycles – the ultimate carbon-free form of transportation.
During the trip, we’ll travel on Michigan’s 2,600 miles of multi-use trails, riding past historic lighthouses, blueberry farms, quaint artist villages, wineries, cider houses, and craft breweries. We’ll also visit Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore before pedaling on paved rail-trails to a bicycle path on Lake Michigan that affords stunning views of Chicago’s dramatic skyline. This last 6-mile stretch leads us to downtown Chicago’s lakefront – for the ride end. Evening programs and dynamic speakers combine with world-class cycling to make this charitable event exciting, informative, and fun.
Climate Ride events raise money for a collection of innovative organizations including 350.org, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), Green America, Climate Counts, 1% for the Planet, San Francisco Bicycle Coalition, Washington Area Bicyclist Association, and Transportation Alternatives. For more information, or to support a participant, visit www.climateride.org.
