Two days ago, on Saturday morning, Bill and I met a group of riders at North Church in Boston and began our journey across the United States. Reverend Patricia von Handloss of North Church said a blessing for our journey, and then symbolically presented us with two lanterns to symbolize the lanterns that were lit for Paul Revere during the Revolutionary war. The large group of cyclists, organized by Bike Rides for Ordinary People, joined us and we cycled out of the city.
A few more people, mostly friends of Bill and I, joined us in our two-day ride to Amherst. Arriving into Amherst, another group of cyclists, this time the North Hampton Cycling Club, rode out to meet us, and escorted us to the South Amherst Common, where even more cyclists waited to bike with us into town. So many people in Massachusetts support action on global warming, and seeing such groups makes me optimistic about what the state can do.
Amherst, where we arrived, is my hometown — I grew up here, and it felt strange, after biking for a year and a half, to arrive somewhere I have actually lived. Arriving at the South Amherst Common, I had another realization. Every snow day in high school, my friends and I would converge on this common and play ‘snow football,’ where we tackled each other (almost) without consequences. In a global warming world, however, New England would be without snow, nixing skiing, snow forts, and, of course, snow days and snow football. Everything else would be different as well. Trees that change colors in the fall may be replaced by less intense southern species. According to one study, in a ‘a business as usual’ scenario, the climate in Massachusetts will look more like South Carolina, with over 60 days a year hotter than 90 degrees and almost no snow by the end of the century. This would also be accompanied by more variable weather — both more storms and more droughts. New England would be unrecognizable.
Part of me has the feeling of ‘you can never go home again,’ but, another part of me asks ‘why should we accept these changes?’ We can solve global warming — why not do it? Why not take major action?
We are in Amherst today, where we are staying with my parents. I visited my old Elementary school and gave a talk this morning, and Bill and I will be giving a talk tonight at my old church. Tomorrow we will bike to Hartford, and then, from there, to New Haven and then New York City.
Hey guys. Glad you got off alright. It sounds like the initial events worked out pretty well. Looking forward to seeing more posts (and more comments in the blog).
Yay Dave and Bill – it looks like you have a great team and are off to a wonderful start! Was that Bryan and Michele P in that start photo?? Glad to see OEP representing and supporting such an important cause. Peace to you both. 🙂
Carry on! Keep up the good work, and thank you for your inspiration!
Go Bill! How exciting that the ride has begun. It must feel wonderful to be actually doing what you have planned for so long. We will be thinking about you and wishing that your trip goes well all along the way. Can’t wait for your arrival here on the west coast.
We had the great pleasure of spending time with Dave and Bill in Wilbraham MA last night. I met the two well informed gentleman while they stopped to refill their water bottles at a local store. Our discussions lead us to a casual dinner at our home and the two enjoying a night camping on our property. We found their well balanced approach to what is seen as a contorvertial issue by many refreshing. Alternatives and solutions were the topics and our children had an outstanding learning experience. We hope more families will extend hospitality and take advantage of a rare opportunity. My wife who is a teacher was disappointed their stay could not be extended to visit with her class. She encourages all who read this to contact their local schools and get them on the agenda. In closing we wish Dave and Bill the best on their important journey! Please welcome them into your home.