Past and current Team LACBC members came together to share reasons why you should join Team LACBC on why you should join the team. As we’ve covered before, Team LACBC is in its 4th year of participating in Climate Ride, and we’re back to field another strong team May 22-26. If you’ve been on the fence, perhaps you need a little convincing as to why you should join Team LACBC on Climate Ride this May! Read on, then learn more at our Climate Ride Meet & Greets on Wednesday, February 3rd!
Ten Reasons to Join Team LACBC on Climate Ride
1. Contribute to a cause you believe in. All the funds team members raise will go to LACBC and other environmental causes. That’s more money to advocate for bike lanes, educate road users, and do outreach to local communities.
2. Devour excellent snacks. Do you like to eat while you ride? If so, this is the ride for you. First off, the Climate Ride staff makes sure water and snack stops are well spaced along the route—but going rogue is even better. Stop in at North Coast Brewing Co. for a fresh brew while in Fort Bragg. Trinks Cafe & Bakery provides a beautiful view and great food in the middle of the century ride. And Day 4 is a foodie’s delight. Dozens of Russian River wineries along the route. Sample fresh Oysters at Hog Island Oyster. And a few miles before the campground, stock up on fresh bread and local cheese at Cowgirl Creamery in Pt. Reye’s Station.
3. Engage in friendly rivalries. Whether we’re talking about rivalries between teams (we see you, Bike East Bay) or rivalries between individual team members (Eric Vs. Alek and Hyeran Vs. Colin) or rivalries between individuals on other teams (Greg Laemmle versus whoever else is competing for the top fundraiser spot), Climate Riders’ competitive spirits show. And in the end, everyone’s a winner because we’re all raising funds for our organizations and the environment.
4. Soak in the gorgeous Northern California scenery. Every day has scenic wonders. Riding through the Avenue of the Giants on Day 1. The first glimpse of the ocean after Leggett Hill on Day 2. The Mendocino Coast and the mouth of the Russian River on Day 3. Tomales Bay on Day 4. And riding across the Golden Gate Bridge on Day 5. It just doesn’t get more beautiful than this. You’ll be riding parts of Northern California that most people only see in scenic calendars and on TV!
5. Hang out with amazing people. Who wouldn’t want to hang out with the amazing members of Team LACBC (plus all the other great folks from all over California and beyond)? Last year, we connected with a former LACBC intern who rode for Team Bike East Bay. Blake Holiday, of the Climate Ride staff, is a hoot. He’s always telling jokes and giving us updates every day at breakfast and dinner. Plus, he’s got some fun hats that he wears. What sort of hat will he wear today?
6. Conquer new challenges. Climate Ride presents both fundraising and physical challenges, and we’ll help you overcome them. Our training rides start out easy and build over the course of March and April. By the time May rolls around, we’ll have you fit for the ride. Carrie Ungerman, an LACBC board member, met her personal challenge of riding all 320 miles with the support of her friends, family, and a “cycling village.” Team LACBC cheered as she rolled in on day 4, as the very last rider, completing her first ever century! They gave her a good toss in the air and lots of hugs. Go, Carrie, go! And if you are concerned about the fundraising, we at LACBC (and Climate Ride), will provide mentors to help you unlock your hidden strengths as a philanthropic emissary.
7. Learn new things. Every night includes a presentation from a local group or guest speaker from afar. On the first night, all the participating teams give a short presentation about their work, and it’s fascinating to learn what they do. There’s also a daily newsletter packed with local information and a profile of someone on the ride. Last year, our paths also crossed with small group of riders that started in Florida and ended in Alaska dubbed “Keys to Freeze!”
8. Stick together, forever. You get lifelong buddies who share the same cause, love to ride, and care for each other. Team LACBC’s friendships last long after the ride. You’ll be surprised how close we get after riding 5 days together.
9. See LACBC board and staff let their hair down. It’s OK. We can admit it. Bike advocates can be a little wonky… and intense. But when we’ve showered off after a day of riding, and we’re a beer (or two) into recovery mode, you might see how fun we can be. By the way, taking a shower at the end of a full day of riding will be the best shower you’ve EVER had, and you’ll feel that great every day!
10. Join a team committed to looking like Los Angeles. Los Angeles is not a city of white MAMILs (Middle Aged Men in Lycra). And Team LACBC shouldn’t be that way either. We want to have a team that reflects all the diversity of our great county, so we need people of all ages, genders, ethnic backgrounds, sexual orientations, religious persuasions, gender identities, and well, you get it L.A. is for everyone. LACBC is for everyone. And Climate Ride is for everyone too.
So what are you waiting for? Join Team LACBC on Climate Ride along the Northern California Coast on May 22nd through May 26th! If you know someone who might want to join us, send them our way. We’ll be holding 3 local meet and greets on Wednesday, February 3rd, so RSVP and come to one of them to meet Blake Holiday from Climate Ride and Team LACBC members.