Contact: Ashley Hunt-Martorano, 631-525-2382, ash.hunt@gmail.com
or Caeli Quinn, Co-Director, 406-871-5477, caeli@climateride.org

LONG ISLAND LOCALS TO PEDAL FROM NYC TO WASHINGTON, DC ON BRITA CLIMATE RIDE

Long Island, NY—April 30, 2012: Two Long Island residents will participate in the annual Brita Climate Ride, a multi-day cycling fundraiser and ‘conference on wheels,’ with more than 200 cyclists traveling 300 miles from Manhattan to the US Capitol in Washington, DC. The event will take place from May 19 to 23, 2012, and is designed to raise awareness about climate issues, renewable energy, and bicycles. Ashley Hunt-Martorano of Medford NY and Marie Rose of Deer Park, NY are pedaling to raise funds for East Hampton based not-for-profit Renewable Energy Long Island (reLI).

“This will be my second time participating in Climate Ride,” said Ashley Hunt-Martorano, Supervisor of Program Operations for Conservation Services Group (CSG), the leading provider of residential energy efficiency programs in North America. “Last year’s ride was an amazing experience which allowed me to make connections with incredible people who are bike enthusiasts and climate activists, but even more importantly, I was able to bring attention to our climate crisis and raise over $4000 through support from friends, family, and local businesses for a deserving not-for-profit organization.”

Joining Hunt-Martorano for her first Climate Ride experience, Marie Rose is employed by an educational agency on Long Island and is a wife and mother of three children. "I want to make a positive change to impact future generations and this is my way to show my support to the non-profit organizations and to raise awareness of the climate crisis. I can't think of any better way of seeing the beautiful planet we live on more than by bicycle."

Hunt-Martorano and Rose met and became friends last year through a local bike group, Suffolk Bicycle Riders Association (SBRA) and have spent many miles on their bikes together since. “I look forward to sharing this amazing adventure with a friend this year. There is nothing like riding through Amish country playing leapfrog with a horse and buggy while on your bike!” says Hunt-Martorano. “Marie and I have been training really hard, riding several times a week and increasing our distance and pace each week. Last weekend alone we both put over 110 miles on our bikes!”

This May, Hunt-Martorano and Rose will join 200 other riders who each raised at least $2400 to benefit one of forty non-profit organizations. They have chosen to support Renewable Energy Long Island (reLI), a regional not-for-profit organization that battles climate change through promoting energy efficiency and renewable energy to consumers, and by supporting local, regional and federal policy changes.

“Despite current political debating, science continues to inform us of the serious threats posed by climate change,” said Gordian Raacke, Executive Director of Renewable Energy Long Island. “We hope that the same effort and dedication that Ashley and Marie are putting into the Climate Ride rubs off on our elected officials.”

The Brita Climate Ride NYC-DC 2012 is the first multi-day bicycle ride to raise money for and awareness of climate change, renewable energy and bicycle advocacy. Participants will cycle approximately 60 miles a day and spend nights at group accommodations and campgrounds. Along the way, guest speakers will educate and inspire Climate Riders about the science, the policies and the solutions to the current climate crisis. Topics will include climate science, sustainable living, and the environment.

Registration for Brita Climate Ride 2012 NYC-DC is full but Climate Ride California 2012 is open at www.climateride.org. Registration includes a personal fundraising web page, training support and access to a nationwide network of Climate Riders and eco-heroes. The ride includes a cycling jersey, accommodations, luggage transfer, road support, meals, bike mechanics, expert guides and the nightly expert speaker series. Each participant pays a registration fee of $75 and then raises at least $2,400 to participate in either ride.

To make a tax-deductible donation and support Hunt-Martorano and Rose on Team reLI, visit http://tiny.cc/reliclimateride There you can make a general team donation or choose either rider to support.

About Climate Ride
Climate Ride was founded to inspire and empower citizens to work toward a new energy future. Climate Ride events raise money for a collection of nearly 40 innovative organizations, which can be viewed at http://www.climateride.org/beneficiaries/beneficiaries/. In 2010, Climate Riders represented more than 30 states and a variety of cycling abilities from novices to competitive cyclists. For more information, please visit www.climateride.org. Videos, photos and blogs can be viewed at www.climateride.org/rides/experience-the-ride/. For more information, please visit ClimateRide.org or call 406.871.5477.