Several (well, two) of the readers of this blog have messaged me asking how to contribute to my ride. I really appreciate that, and I encourage folks here to give generously.

Just not to me.

While you are in the giving mood, though, let me make a couple of suggestions.

The Rails-to-Trails Conservancy has done work all over the country that is near and dear to my heart.  The organization provides funding and other resources in seeking to preserve abandoned railroad rights-of-way as multi-use trails.  Bicyclists are a primary beneficiary of the RTC’s efforts, and its website [linkie] is a wealth of information about and links to the growing network of rail-trails out there.  If you would consider giving to the RTC, click here [linkie] or on the logo above.

The Nature Conservancy, despite the fact that I couldn’t get a job there after graduating from law school, is another favorite of mine.  I like the way it does business- instead of knee-jerk opposition to land development and the use of tactics like lawfare and back-door lobbying to tie the process up and to make things so expensive that the developer finally just gives up, if TNC sees something worth preserving, the organization buys it or buys the development rights.  Over the years, it has compiled an incredible track record of preservation of some of the key remaining natural places all around the country.  If you would consider giving to TNC, click here [linkie] or on the logo above.

Shifting gears (subtle bike pun, sorry)-

My grandchild Aidan died of an aggressive cancer of the brain in 2011 two days short of his second birthday.  He was treated at the Stollery Children’s Hospital in Edmonton, Alberta, where he received incredible care from some of the most compassionate doctors and medical staff in the world.  While the situation ended so very sadly, we know that the SCH is on the forefront of work that will give some future child and her or his family hope for a normal life that is cancer-free.  If you would consider giving to the SCH, click here [linkie] or on the logo above.

The Massey Cancer Center is part of my grad school alma mater: Virginia Commonwealth University. A great friend from those days participates every year in the Massey 10K fundraising run with Aidan’s name on her T-shirt along with that of her husband, who also died of this terrible disease. Massey is one of the leading cancer research institutions in the country.  If you would consider giving to the MCC, click here [linkie] or on the logo above.

No pressure, folks.  I’d be really pleased to know that my ride has resulted in even a single donation to any of the places I have listed.  Or you pick a worthy place.  And thanks for doing that.

David Edgren