Pedaling for Climate

Diverting from Austen into Death Valley

This is only tangentially about Austen. I am turning to all of my subscribers with a request. Trust me, hat-in-hand is not my style. However, I take a page from Lawrence O’Donnell and his annual campaign raising money for school desks in Mali.

Yes, Elizabeth Bennet was a prodigious walker, and Darcy found that vigorous exercise brightened her eyes and gave her a healthy glow. But would either do what I am hoping to accomplish?

I have been known to engage in vigorous exercise, although less now with age and the whole post-covid thing. Today, I find myself on the precipice of my 70th birthday, sort of “now-or-never” land.

Even now, I wonder if I can still do it…you know, strap the bike on and do a century, let alone a multi-day charity ride. In years past before knees and hips became sketchy, I would gleefully do the MS Ride in DeKalb, IL (Tour de Cornfields), the AIDs Ride from Minneapolis to Chicago, or the Make-A-Wish ride from Traverse City to Brooklyn, MI. I will not go into Bike Psychos.

Memories.

Now, I am coming to grips with the fact that I am closer to being the SAG van driver than one of the riders struggling to finish 45 miles and 5,000 feet of altitude.

And, here we are.

I have signed up for the multi-day Death Valley ride to support Climate Change research. Yes, it is in November, so I will not turn into Don-jerky.

But, this is a charity ride. I must raise $2,800 by October 10 (oh there are deadlines throughout) in order to be able to participate. I am asking you to contribute what you can. Every little bit helps get us closer to the line. I am reaching out because you have been gracious enough to see worth in my musings.

I have added incentives (minimum donation required) which you will find on my participant page.

This is my participant page (incentives at the $50/$250/$500 levels) which will allow you to donate fixed amounts (yes, there is “other” so, if you want to donate $61.23, you may).

https://support.climateride.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=donordrive.participant&participantID=11503

This is my Facebook donation page address that offers more flexible donation options.

https://www.facebook.com/donate/1719491338473990/

I truly appreciate your support. I will continue to reach out to you over the next five months as my training regimen takes hold.