Rider profiles – Click on the rider to find out more about who’s making this epic journey!

See a video compilation of comments from the riders on why they’re doing this ride, and why they care about climate change.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Isaac Alderfer

“I love wildlife and appreciating delicate balancing acts in nature, and the thought of those unraveling and even disappearing is where I feel some of the most pain.

Having the chance to do that while also advocating for action and policy changes for the climate is an incredible opportunity I couldn’t turn down.”

 

              

              

              

              

Isaac Andreas

“My biggest concern is how disproportionately climate change affects the poor.”

“I saw what kinds of people were applying for it and I wanted to be more like them.”

 

 

 

 

Toby Bartlett

“I get hope from the people who are picking up trash from the oceans. I get hope from the people who choose to recycle and the people who turn off the lights after they leave a room. I get hope from knowing there’s people out there who do care about the planet, and it’s not just me by myself or you by yourself trying to fix this mess that we’re in.”

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Denver Beck

“When I first heard about the (Climate) Ride, I thought it was a great opportunity to combine two things I’m really passionate about… being outside, being active, and climate action.” 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Micah Buckwalter

“I’m really looking forward to this trip because of the goal of bringing awareness to climate change.”

        

        

        

        

Loren Friesen

Mass change are a challenge, and an opportunity to “make our cities greener and our public spaces more intimate with the earth.”

See Loren’s youtube video on preparing for the ride here!

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Vanessa Gardiner

“I wanted to bring more awareness to climate change and challenge my mental and physical abilities.”

 

 

 

 

 

Tyler Goss

“This bike ride, for me, is not about reducing my carbon footprint or even really about encouraging others to be more “green.” Instead, this Climate Ride is about falling in love with the land and people that make up this “home” of ours.”

         

         

         

         

Thomas Guadalupe-Johnson

 “This opportunity,” he said, “puts me in a position to better myself, (and) hopefully better others, which would better our world.” 

 

 

 

 

Miriam Huebner

“When I read the news I get really scared and anxious, but then I go for a walk and the trees ground me and remind me that the reason I care about climate change so much because of how strongly I love this world.”

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Greta Lapp Klassen

“I think there’s no better way to understand what climate is doing to our earth than living super rooted in the earth and our bodies for two months.  If we can foster positive relationships with our bodies in nature, I think we can go out and change the world.”

 

 

 

 

 

Samantha Lioi

“I feel a lot of grief about the ways we human beings have damaged and in some cases obliterated ecosystems.  I am motivated by a love for the immense beauty of the earth and its creatures.”

Read Samantha’s website on the climate ride here!

 

 

 

Elizabeth Miller

“I don’t think that a cross country trip is feasible for everyone, but I think that the idea of cycling as alternative transportation…that’s something that can be incorporated into all of life. I hope that that inspires me and my fellow teammates. I hope that inspires those who we engage with in different communities along the way. I hope that that can become a lifestyle choice for me and those around me.”

 
 

Anna Paetkau

“The western way of life is a lot of consume, consume, and I think a lot of people, because it’s so ingrained in their minds, have accepted that as natural for humans.  It’s terrifying to think that it is because how do we change that? But I don’t think it is at all.”

             

                

             

             

Sierra Ross Richer

“This planet isn’t just a planet of humans.  So it makes me sad that we’ve gotten to this point where we’ve created this big disaster for the entire planet because we weren’t looking out for any of the other members of the community.”

 

 

 

 

Caleb Schrock-Hurst

“I think that raising awareness about climate change and raising awareness about alternative modes of transportation is incredibly important as we move forward as a global society.”

Our Leaders

                                  

                                  

                                  

                                  

                                  

                                  

                                  

Joanna Friesen

                        

                        

                        

                        

                        

                        

                        

David Landis

Our Support Crew

                                  

                                  

                                  

                                  

                                  

                                  

                                  

Mary Ann Conrad

                        

                        

                        

                        

                        

                        

                        

Dan Conrad

Mary Ann and Dan Conrad love to ride their tandem bicycle around the streets of Albuquerque, New Mexico, but this summer, they are leaving their bike at home to drive the support vehicle for the Climate Ride.  Mary Ann is a retired teacher who works part-time as the Children and Youth Ministry Associate at Albuquerque Mennonite Church.  Dan, who retired from his job as a psychiatrist last August, has since become an artisan bread baker. Both Mary Ann and Dan describe themselves as out-door enthusiasts and are looking forward to exploring new areas of the country this summer and getting to know young people who care about the planet.