Nation's Largest Environmental Bike Ride Gears Up For May 2011 - NYC To DC

Online, October 28, 2010 (Newswire.com) - Climate Ride is returning for its fourth ride this May, with Brita Climate Ride NYC-DC. Registration is now open to 150 cyclists. The five-day, 320-mile cycling fundraising adventure is designed to raise awareness of climate change and renewable energy. The ride will take place from May 13-17, 2011, and will once again showcase bicycling along beautiful country roads from New York City to Washington, DC. Participants can register online at www.climateride.org.

"After the successful ride in California earlier this year, we're shifting to the big chain ring and organizing two rides for 2011 - one on each coast," said Caeli Quinn, Co-Founder and Director of Climate Ride. "With recent environmental disasters and the climate bill stalled on Capitol Hill, we need more Americans directly involved in this conversation. Climate Ride brings together environmental leaders and everyday people who care about clean energy for five days of inspiration, community and amazing cycling. Climate Riders have the opportunity to recharge, connect and bring a green message back to their own communities."

Last month, from September 21-25 2010, during Brita Climate Ride California 2010, more than 100 exuberant cyclists rode from Eureka, Calif. to San Francisco. This was the thrilling end to a 320-mile bike ride that began in the heart of California's Redwood Empire and meandered along the stunning Pacific Coast to the finale in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park. Each night at the campsites, Climate Ride featured after-dinner lectures from artists, scientists, and activists who share their personal efforts to address climate and energy issues.

Climate Ride is especially unique because of its expert speaker series, says co-founder and director, Geraldine Carter. "This is the first climate conference on wheels. Our riders pedal all day and then have the opportunity to hear from some of the brightest minds in conservation, climate change and renewable energy in the evening. Our riders finish Brita Climate Ride with new understanding of climate issues and are inspired to rally friends and family to help resolve the most important issue facing humanity."

Climate Ride is also the first multi-day, multi-city bicycle tour where pedal strokes help raise money and awareness for a future powered by renewable energy and a green economy. This year's event raised funds for a collection of hardworking non-profits, including Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, Green America, and 1Sky. The ride offers people who share a passion for green living and cycling a chance to journey toward making a difference.

Full carbon offsets for the participants, hybrid support vehicles and zero-waster catering are a few of the innovative measures that Climate Ride has successful implemented. Like the Climate Riders, Brita, once again the title sponsor, is dedicated to making the Earth a greener place. Thanks to Brita, there won't be any empty bottled water containers along the route; the riders are supplied with Brita filtered water in special FilterForGood bike bottles. To learn more about Brita's FilterForGood movement to reduce bottled water waster and inspire other simple changes that are better for the Earth, visit www.filterforgood.com.

Registration for Brita Climate Ride 2011 NYC-DC is now open at www.climateride.org. Registration includes a personal fundraising web page, training/logistical support and access to a nationwide network of Climate Riders. The ride includes a cycling jersey, campsites, luggage transfer, road support, meals, bike mechanics, bike guides and the nightly expert speaker series. Each Climate Rider pays a registration fee of $75 and then fundraises at least $2,400 to participate in Brita Climate Ride 2011 NYC-DC. Climate Ride California will return next September 2011 from Fortuna, Calif. (near Eureka) to San Francisco.

About Climate Ride
Climate Ride was founded by Montanans Caeli Quinn and Geraldine Carter to inspire and empower citizens to work toward a new energy future. Climate Ride events raise money for innovative organizations that are working to educate Americans about the impacts of the climate crisis, engage citizens in the possibility of a renewable energy-based economy, and to mobilize government and businesses to enact meaningful climate and energy policies. In 2010, Climate Riders represented more than 30 states and a variety of cycling abilities from novices to competitive cyclists. For more information, please visit www.climateride.org. Videos, photos and blogs can be viewed at www.climateride.org/rides/experience-the-ride/. For more information or to support a participant, please visit www.climateride.org or call 406.871.5477.

About FilterForGood
Each year, Americans purchase billions of plastic water bottles. Aside from the environmental impact of all that waste, Americans are spending a great deal on bottled water. Brita partnered with Nalgene to launch the FilterForGood campaign, which encourages people to reduce their bottled water waste by switching to reusable bottles filled with filtered water. Since the campaign launched in 2007, more than 212,000 people have taken the pledge to reduce their bottled water waste, keeping an estimated 220 million disposable bottles out of landfills. Visit filterforgood.com to learn how you can make a difference.