Loading up in Muscatine

At the high school in Muscatine, Iowa. Got here a little early, but we'll be able to sleep on the bus. The airbnb was great, no trains in the middle of the night this time. It's hot... And muggy. It will still be fun though. We'll take the bus to Glenwood and see the madness that ensues there!

Journey to Iowa 7/21

We're still on the road, in Illinois on I-80. The bikes on the back of the car make me a little nervous, but they're hanging in there. The closer we get to Iowa, the more corn we see, and also soy beans? Landscape is really flattening out here now too.

Climate Ride Northeast!.

The biking continues... After getting back from the bike trip I started working for Next Step Living, performing energy assessments.  This required driving to peoples' houses with a car full of light bulbs and advising them on how they can save money by completing retrofit projects on their home.  The work was great but the driving part was a big down side.

About a year ago, I started designing solar systems, again, still for Next Step Living and this allowed me to bike to work again.  And this time the commute is much shorter; 6.5 miles each way as opposed to 18 or 30 each way.  So, much less time commuting, which is good for allowing time to cook meals or join an ultimate frisbee team.  This also allowed me to become more involved with the biking community at NSL and all over Boston.  There are a ton of organizations that encourage biking. Being involved in the advocacy side has been a great experience.

Another way that I'm getting involved in the advocacy side is by joining the Climate Ride with Next Step Living.  We're raising awareness about the need for sustainable transportation and raising money for SAHA global, a non-profit organization currently bring access to clean water and electricity to rural areas of Northern Ghana.  Both of these are important issues, so I'm raising money to support them.  The money I raise will go to both organizations and the goal is $2,800.00 by September 17.  If anyone is able to contribute please clink on the link and it will take you right to my page on the Climate Ride website.

I appreciate any support I can get.

Happy Riding!

Officially made it to SF!

The trip has officially ended and im just spending a week in SF to have some more fun and see my friends.  It has been great but i am sad that the trip is over.  We are all still really good friends, because we've heard that some groups end up not talking to each other after a trip like this but we're doing really well. I wish we could keep riding but it does feel good to say we finished it. 

The Pacific!

Our first view of the Pacific!

Sonoma, CA

Hanging out at the Sonoma Springs Brewery and Crisp bakery watching the bakers and brewers.  The Roche Winery was a nice stop last night too.

Napa Valley

Having dinner at downtown joe's in Napa Valley.  Ok, so it's not a winery but the beer is pretty good and we'll hit up the wineries tomorrow.  We made it to Nevada City, CA after leaving Reno and stayed in Carmichael along the way with a couple very generous hosts. Last night we stayed at a co-op at UCDavis and slept under the fig tree. Apparently thats where the guests sleep but it was still awesome.  I dont think we'll find any fig trees here to sleep under.