Cross-country ‘Climate Ride’ slated for summer 2021

by EMU communications

At the end of May, 17 cyclists will hit the pavement in Seattle, Washington to begin a two-month, 4,000 mile journey. They’ll pedal through the northern Rockies of Montana; Yellowstone National Park; the midwestern plains; and the Ohio Amish countryside en route to Washington DC. Their goal is simple: get folks interested in saving the world.

The trip, dubbed the “Climate Ride,” was organized by the Center for Sustainable Climate Solutions (CSCS) — a partnership between Eastern Mennonite University (EMU), Goshen College, and Mennonite Central Committee — to raise awareness about climate change and connect Anabaptist environmentalists all over the country.

The latest ride update includes a map of the group’s route from the starting point in Seattle, Washington, to Missoula, Montana. The colors symbolize paved and unpaved paths and paved roads.

Seminary student and assistant cross-country and triathlon coach Joanna Friesen will lead the trip, with David Landis ’05, the founder of Village to Village Press, which publishes adventure travel guides and develops walking and biking trails. The group includes seven EMU undergraduate and graduate students, and a staff member.

The best way to stay up-to-date on the riders’ preparations, and make sure you don’t miss the kick-off on May 31, is to subscribe to Climate Ride updates. The updates include participant profiles and more information about scheduled events and visits along their route.

The following climate riders from EMU …

  • Anna Paetkau, senior,  
  • Vanessa Gardiner, first-year,
  • Elizabeth Miller, senior, 
  • Thomas Guadalupe-Johnson, junior, 
  • Micah Buckwalter, junior, 
  • Isaac Alderfer, senior, 
  • Caleb Schrock-Hurst, seminary student, and 
  • Tyler Goss, assistant director of student programs,

… will be joined by:

  • Samantha Lioi, alumna of Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary,
  • Toby Bartlett, Fresno Pacific University, 
  • Sierra Richer, Goshen College, 
  • Loren Friesen, Fresno Pacific University,
  • Denver Beck, Goshen College, 
  • Miriam Huebner, Canadian Mennonite University, and 
  • Greta Klassen, Goshen College.

Discussion on “Cross-country ‘Climate Ride’ slated for summer 2021”

  1. I see the route from Seattle to Missoula, and it is marked with different colors. What do the different colors signify?

    1. Great question: The colors correspond to paved and unpaved rail trails/paths and paved roads.

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