Falmouth Couple Gears Up for the Inaugural Climate Ride Northeast-Bar Harbor to Boston

This fall, Jean Talbert, 57, of Falmouth, an obstetrician gynecologist, will trade in her white coat and surgical gloves for a bicycle helmet and sneakers to cycle in the inaugural Climate Ride Northeast – Bar Harbor to Boston. She will be among up to 200 cyclists who will pedal 320 miles down the scenic coast of New England to raise $400,000 for more than 100 sustainability, cycling advocacy, active transportation and environmental causes across the country. A self-proclaimed cycling novice, Talbert rides on average 25 to 30 miles along the Cape on weekends in order to train for the event. She was inspired to ride by her husband, Eric Davidson, 59, who rode in Climate Ride NYC to DC last year and had a once-in-a-life time experience, taking in the beauty of America’s landscape.

Helping to create the next generation of citizen-philanthropists for the environment through education and sport, Climate Ride participants have the power to direct grants to a pool of regional and national nonprofits. Climate Ride was the first bike-a-thon to support environmental causes and cycling advocacy, not only by raising money but also through advocating for government change and educating participants as part of the experience. It was the first adventure travel nonprofit to raise funds for environmental causes and awareness about the importance of bike safety and advocacy, thus making the connection that an increase in active transportation will reduce carbon emissions that plague the environment. In the last seven years, Climate Ride has raised and granted $2.28 million.

Talbert will ride and raise money for the UN Population Fund, one of Climate Ride’s 2015 beneficiaries. The nonprofit organization helps women in developing countries adapt to changes within their communities that are a result of climate change. “I chose to support the UN Population Fund because of my work in women’s health,” says Talbert. “I was really interested in the connection between climate change and women’s health. Traditionally, women often serve as the primary food and water providers for their families. This group provides relief when natural disasters strike and encourages women to take leadership roles as communities adapt to climate change related events.” Talbert will ride alongside her husband, who is raising money and awareness for two of Climate Ride’s other 2015 beneficiaries, the American Geophysical Union (AGU) and the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science (UMCES).

Davidson is a two-time Climate Rider who will lead team AGU in the inaugural northeastern event. As AGU’s president elect, he will serve as the team’s captain to raise money and awareness for the organization. AGU is a nonprofit scientific society dedicated to promoting discovery in Earth and space science for the benefit of humanity. AGU’s “sharing science” program includes expanding the science and public discourse around these topics such as natural hazzards, climate change, and resource management. Funds raised by Climate Ride events help AGU support its mission through activities such as student travel grants for presenting their research findings and AGU’s science communication outreach efforts. This year, a portion of Davidson’s fund raising will go to UMCES, where he is a professor, and where funding will also be used to support student research projects on climate and the environment.

Collectively, the husband and wife duo hope to raise more than $5,600 through Climate Ride for their respective designated beneficiaries.

Climate Ride Northeast-Bar Harbor to Boston is one of three charitable multi-day rides hosted by Climate Ride: Climate Ride Northeast, Climate Ride California, and Climate Ride Midwest. The organization hosts Climate Hikes in Glacier National Park and Bryce-Zion and a DIY program: Independent Challenges. For more information about the inaugural Climate Ride Northeast-Bar Harbor to Boston, please see the 2015 Fact Sheet below.

To register to ride or to support a cyclist or team, visit www.climateride.org or call 406-552-0708. Participants can enter the discount code climateride2015 for $25 off their registration fee.