Climate Cycle News

You're invited to the Climate Cycle Soiree

2011-12-08T17:17:31Z

Join us on Saturday, February 25, 2012 for an evening of cocktails, hors d'oeurves, live music, silent auction, and a riveting student showcase!

]]> We'll begin the celebration by unveiling seven student-led initiatives that will illustrate how the eco-imaginations of our youth are being taken to the next level. We hope to see you there!

Go here for more information.

Climate Cycle's Student Leaders

2011-08-19T01:50:59Z

Climate Cycle is thrilled to announce the formation of our Student Leadership Board seeded through a generous grant from the Motorola Solutions Foundation! take the lead on issues related to climate change in their schools and community. With schools spending more on utilities than textbooks and computers combined, the time for students to master the tools of a sustainable future is now. Through this initiative, Climate Cycle and our partner schools can work together to ensure we are adequately building a diverse pipeline of critical thinkers and addressing the most pressing needs around youth education. Stay tuned for more exciting updates as Climate Cycle's inaugural Student Leadership Board takes flight.]]>

Join the Clean Energy Movement

2011-08-19T01:38:36Z

By galvanizing grassroots efforts, Climate Cycle inspires students to green our world. Our impact is focused on the health of both people and the planet, while helping our youth develop cutting edge skill sets. So far, we've installed solar energy in eight schools, seeded bike and camping clubs, and supported urban agriculture and a variety of curricular initiatives and green school projects. Heroic community efforts and the support of corporations who care are the driving forces behind our accomplishments. To date, 1200 riders have raised $250,000 in our first three Recharge Revolutions, fundraising bike rides that support Climate Cycle's schools-based sustainability initiatives. Through this support, students are being put at the forefront to usher in a new green era. We are like tenant farmers chopping down the fence around our house for fuel when we should be using Nature's inexhaustible sources of energy--sun, wind and tide. I hope we don't have to wait until oil and coal run out before we tackle that. -- Thomas Edison

Summer Rocking Supports Climate Cycle

2011-08-18T02:00:34Z

Many thanks to those who have downloaded Umphrey's McGee's "Hajimemashite" from iTunes, part of Patagonia's Music Collective Volume 2 which benefits environmental groups.

]]> Proceeds from Hajimemashite, generously donated by the band, support Climate Cycle.

A shout out to the finest jam band in the land!

Aveda supports us!

2011-07-18T01:05:28Z

Aveda has generously awarded us $1,000 to support what we do to care for the earth. Thanks, Aveda!

Solar Schools Application Opens!

2011-06-01T18:13:40Z

We are excited to announce that interested schools can now apply to be a solar school recipient. Participation in the Solar Schools Ride. How many students, teachers, administrators, and parents joined the school team and rode? How much money did the team raise? How many volunteers supported the ride? 2. Curriculum integration. How will the school integrate solar panels into the curriculum? 3. Best practices sharing. How will the school share best practices of environmental education to other schools? Go here to learn more and download the application. The application is due on Tuesday, July 5th. Good luck!]]>

Sport a Climate Cycle jersey this summer!

2011-05-06T19:34:12Z

Nothing says "Clean. Energy. Movement." more than wearing your Climate Cycle jersey as your bike around town.

]]> Purchase a limited edition 2011 Climate Cycle jersey for $60 (25% discount) to wear this

Pick up your packets, Riders!

2011-05-05T00:06:48Z

From May 16 - May 19, 2011, our pals at ING Direct Cafe will be hosting Climate Cycle's packet pick-up. Packet pick-up will be available for all riders who signed up by May 14 at 12 pm noon.

]]> Packets include a rider bib (so we can identify you on ride day), a cool Climate Cycle t-shirt, a jersey (if you purchased or earned one!), a water bottle, and fun stuff from our sponsors.

You are not required to pick up your packet, but you won't have to wait in line on ride day. Just remember to wear your rider bib and Climate Cycle t-shirt!

If you want to pick up your team members' or loved ones' packet, please go here, print out the rider waiver, have them sign it, and give it to the friendly folks at ING when you pick up your packet. They'll have you sign a waiver too. If you rather print and sign the rider waiver yourself, feel free to do to this.

Please bring your ID when you come. Here are the details.

What: Packet Pickup
Dates: Monday, May 16th - Thursday, May 19th
Time: 12 pm - 7 pm
Location: ING Cafe - 21 East Chestnut Street, Chicago, IL

Make a little outing of it, meet your friends at ING Cafe, get your packets, and have some coffee!
We hope to see you there!

Let's rally, riders!

2011-05-01T16:10:32Z

Come meet other riders and get useful fundraising tips on Thursday, May 5th.

]]> This is a great opportunity to bring your teammates together and get pumped for the ride.

Invite friends who are in the fence about riding. Getting to know us and listening to schools share the impact that Climate Cycle has made on their school will help encourage friends and co-workers to ride! Drinks and snacks are on us.

Details are below.
Date: Thursday, May 5th
Location: ING Direct Cafe - 21 E Chestnut
Time: 6 - 7:30 pm

We hope to see you there!

The team captain from SoCore Energy wins

a sweet handlebar back in the

raffle at our first Rider Rally in March.

Thumbs up to that!

World Give Day

2011-05-01T06:05:12Z

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.
- Margaret Mead

GiveForward.com, an online fundraising tools for individuals, challenged us and others to speak to the idea that small scale donors are the backbone of philanthropy.

]]> And we believe that Margaret Mead's words say it as well as it can be said. Very often we see a large challenge in front of us and quickly surmise what a large solution may be needed to solve it. But when we step back, we realize that a large solution often takes the form of many small solutions joined together. Like the links on our bike chains that keep our wheels moving, Climate Cycle's success is in very large part the sum of our small scale donors.

Climate Cycle was started to bring environmental education to students and to empower them to change the way they and their schools (and the community around them) view and use energy. The work of these students drives and complements the strong effort of our Riders, which harnesses the generosity of our donors, who are our friends, our family and our communities. One student at a time, one pedal at a time, one dollar at a time. Some of our supporters may consider that their donations of time, effort and money are of a small scale. But we don't see it that way.

We see the power of a community that pulls together, behind a common cause. We see strangers working together to help students they haven't even met but whom they care a great deal about. We see people giving what they can, whether commitment to environmental education, their physical contribution on the Ride to Recharge that inspires us all, or the dollars that go directly toward difference-making solar panels. However you've given to your favorite cause, whether Climate Cycle or another effort, please know that you are the backbone of philanthropy.

To donate or ride, go HERE.

This post is part of a blog series inspired by World Give Day (May 4th) and hosted by GiveForward. To find other posts in this series please visit www.worldgiveday.com or follow the hashtag #giveday.

3 Ways to Win a Bike!

2011-04-25T18:36:44Z

Thanks to the generous donation of ING Direct, we have FOUR Marin Kentfield bikes to award to Climate Cyclists! From now until April 29th, register to ride or fundraise the most, and maybe you'll be a winner of a sweet bike! 1) Register to ride between April 21 - April 29 and get entered into a raffle to win the bike! 2) Fundraise the most money between April 21 - April 29 and win the bike! 3) Fundraise, fundraise, fundraise. The more you raise, the higher your chances of winning the bike. For every increment of $500 you raise, you get a raffle ticket to win the bike! You'll get up to noon (12 pm) on May 19 to fundraise. The drawing for two bike winners will be made on May 22 - ride day!]]>

Earth Day Flash Mob!

2011-04-15T21:02:52Z

Join us for a beatbox harmonica flash mob on Earth Day, Friday, April 22! Yuri Lane, world-famous beat boxer, is going to lead us in the charge.]]> Ride to Recharge at the Earth, Wine, and Fire event at the Nature Museum. Go HERE for more details. Check out our flash mob promo video. We'll end the night with a drink special at a nearby bar. It'll be a blast! Hope you can join us!

Join us at the Green Metropolis Fair

2011-03-30T20:09:51Z

We are excited to be a sponsor at this fabulous, FREE, family-friendly event that promises to be great fun for all ages!

]]> Mindful Metropolis magazine and Green Parents Network have joined forces to produce a spectacular event this year.

Learn how to compost effectively in the city with the Urban Worm Girl, Stephanie Davies, get information on keeping backyard chickens, growing and preserving fruits and vegetables year-round in small spaces and participate in interactive workshops. Suppliers and contractors will showcase tips to make your home energy-efficient and sustainably beautiful, while children will get an opportunity to pet goats, rabbits and other furry critters!

Along with the interactive experiences, the festival will screen two films: Dirt! The Movie, narrated by Jamie Lee Curtis, this film focuses on the wonderment of the soil, and, Vanishing of the Bees, which explores the lives of honeybees and the phenomenon known as Colony Collapse Disorder associated with the mysterious disappearance of honeybees across our planet.

The festival also features a retail marketplace where vendors from all over the Chicago area will be selling their wares. Admission is free, but a non-perishable food item donation is requested. All are welcome regardless of ability to donate.

We'll also be doing a flash mob at the event as well!!

Event Details
Date: Saturday, April 16th
Location: Irish American Heritage Center - 4626 N. Knox, Chicago IL
Time: 10 am - 4 pm
For more info, go here.

We hope to see you there!

Sprint Into Spring & Register Today!

2011-03-15T02:01:40Z

For anyone who has registered by March 21 (first day of spring!), you will be entered into a raffle to win one of two fabulous prizes:

]]> 1) Two hour couples massage from Allyu Spa, a consciously operated, luxury day spa in River North Chicago.

Allyu Spa is built sustainably with reclaimed barnwood cabinetry, adobe cob seating in meditation tent, and cork flooring in all massage rooms. Rest assured in your massage as they don't use any products with parabens or harmful chemicals. Allyu Spa also gives back to the community by hosting a free monthly meditation.

OR

2) Six bottle in-home wine tasting from Wines for Humanity for up to 14 people with a private wine advisor for 2 hours.

Wines for Humanity is dedicated to introducing the public to the joy of fine wines while raising funds for charity. Their delicious wines are sourced from award-winning vineyards from all over the world. Proceeds go to preventing homelessness among families with children.

A fun get-together for a group of friends or maybe your Climate Cycle team!

Register now and jumpstart your fundraising today!

We "Rock n Roll" In The Patagonia Music Collective

2011-03-12T03:19:17Z

We love synergy in the environmental community, and we love exciting new ways to support Climate Cycle.

]]> We're very pleased to announce that Patagonia has arranged for some of the world's best loved and most eco-conscious rockers to donate songs to environmental causes, and Climate Cycle is the beneficiary of Chicago's progressive rocking jam band Umphrey's McGee!

Proceeds from the sale of a new studio version of their fan favorite HAJIMEMASHITE will benefit us directly, so please check out this awesome and socially-conscious band and support Climate Cycle!

The complete album includes tracks from Pearl Jam, Toad the Wet Sprocket, Ziggy Marley, Maroon Five and many more. Thanks, Umphrey's McGee and Patagonia!

To buy HAJIMEMASHITE at Apple's iTunes store, click here.
To learn more about Patagonia's project, click here.