From September 21-25, 200 bicyclists will pedal 300 miles from New York City to Washington, DC for the 5th annual Climate Ride. CCAN national campaigns coordinator Ted Glick is on the road with them, raising awareness of climate change and raising funds for CCAN’s critical advocacy work.

I’m sitting at a picnic table on the Princeton campus after finishing the first 50 or so miles. All around this grassy area tents are springing up. It’s a beautiful, sunny and warm late afternoon, though showers or storms might be coming tonight.
Today’s ride was harder than I remembered it being last year. There were more hills that were steeper than I remembered over the first half of today’s ride.
There are about 200 of us, coming from a lot of different places. Incredibly, one rider is on a big unicycle with a wheel that is maybe four feet in diameter. He hasn’t arrived at camp yet, but two people on a tandem bike just pulled in.
It’s amazing and wonderful how people who don’t know each other, but who have important beliefs and commitments in common, can bond so quickly. The Climate Ride really feels like a second family almost for these five days.
75 miles tomorrow — our longest day. I hope I sleep well!