This June, Planet Aid hosted and celebrated the 10th Anniversary of the Friends Biking for Change event. This remarkable function's starting point was at Ransome's Chesapeake Retreat in Church Creek, Maryland; however, the events' true beginning goes back to when two friends undertook a 100-mile journey to celebrate a birthday. It was conceived as a unique way to honor life, friendship, and the great outdoors.
Over the years, the event has grown from its humble beginnings into a collective movement that promotes cycling as a means of enhancing personal health while also raising environmental awareness. Today, it has become an annual tradition with a legacy that spans three states: Maryland, Georgia, and Illinois.
What makes Friends Biking for Change special is reflected in its name—it's all about camaraderie. Planet Aid invited long-standing industry and community partners, personal friends, neighbors, and family members to come together for a weekend to engage, meet new and old friends, rest, ride, and support the cyclists.
Christina Jones, Planet Aid's School and Community Partnerships Manager, was blown away by the congeniality on display at the three-day event. "This is an event where businesses come together to get to know each other, but it didn't feel like that. It felt like a group of people coming together to connect...so even though we had all these different companies, I didn't hear much about that, " she noted. Further attesting, "I heard about people. I heard about where they were from, and everyone was so willing to help."
The June 14th event had over 65 riders and almost 100 participants. The textile reuse community was well represented, including wholesale clothing resellers such as Garson & Shaw and textile collection organizations like USAgain and Gaia Movement. In addition, Biking for Change also welcomed friends and partners from across the U.S. and countries like Costa Rica, Mexico, and Belgium.
In its 10th year, the event returned to Maryland’s Eastern Shore at the expansive Ransome’s Chesapeake Retreat in Church Creek. Planet Aid CEO Fred Olsson opened the event with remarks that highlighted its relaxed nature; it wasn’t about networking, but rather about engaging in the beautiful landscape of nature and with one another as a team of cyclists and supporters.
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The Scenic Routes of Dorchester County
This year's ride took cyclists through the picturesque landscapes of Dorchester County. Riders could choose from 36, 56, 80, or 100-mile routes, and each option promised something captivating to see.
Participants were treated to sightings of turtles crossing the road, rabbits hopping through the fields, and eagles soaring overhead. The area's rich biodiversity and serene scenery made it an ideal location for an event dedicated to appreciating and preserving nature.
Planet Aid's Climate Adaptation Partnership Officer, Timothy Houssand, brought his wife and newborn out to enjoy the event. Houssand rode the thirty-six-mile route. Admitting he had never ridden more than 20 miles, he remarked, "This is definitely a new experience for me, but it was a lot of fun. It was good to be out here on a beautiful day and see some of Maryland nature and the Chesapeake Bay." Referring to Planet Aid CEO's opening remarks, he said, "We talked a little earlier about preserving and recycling, and you see out here in the natural environment how important it is that we keep these areas pristine, and free from human pollution or intervention."
Laetitia Goncalves, an International Sales Manager at Garson & Shaw, traveled from Atlanta to support the bike ride along with her teen daughter and co-workers. Gonclaves chose to ride with the 56-mile cycling group. The June 14 ride marked her second time coming to Maryland for the event. "I was really looking forward to coming because we talk on the phone, but we don't get a chance to see each other that much. so it's always a fun time to get together and suffer while we ride a bike," she laughed.
Those who completed the 100-mile route had the incredible opportunity to experience Hoopers Island, an area rich in historical significance on the Eastern Shore. However, this coastal region faces imminent threats due to rising sea levels, causeway degradation, tidal flooding, erosion, and storm surges. Founded in the mid-17th century, Hoopers Island has long been a hub for watermen and farmers. The area's local fishing and crabbing have been central to the local economy for centuries.
At the end of the Friends Biking for Change event, everyone returned to the retreat, from the cyclists to the volunteers. Some cyclist met their goals, and others gave it a valiant try, looking forward to the next opportunity to try again. Nonetheless, there was conversation, swapping stories, and developing the kind of solidarity only fostered through a common experience.
Mission accomplished.