Ride General Information
Why we ride
We are riding to use bike touring as a tactic to engage in collective action and social change work. Riding bikes connects us to place in a meaningful way, allowing us to advocate and learn from communities along the way.
Fundraising
The fundraising requirement is $2,000 for the prison ride. You may join for a portion of the ride, in which case, the fundraising is $125/day for as many days as you are able to join.
Where does my fundraised money go?
A portion of the money will go towards paying the overhead costs for the trip itself (everything from food to insurance). What isn’t spent on overhead and organizational funding will go to organizations working on climate justice and prison reform/abolition. At the end of the ride, participants will decide what organizations they would like to donate the money they fund-raised to. Organizations must be explicitly working on the rides cause.
Where will we stay?
We will largely be staying at different community centers, churches and non-profits who open their doors (and floors) to us to house and often feed us. It is with their generosity that we are able to continue doing what we do.
What will we do on the climate ride?
There are five main ways we will do climate related work as we ride:
- Community dialogues -- In the towns we stop in, we will host community conversations about the climate crisis to spread information about the calamities we are facing. We will occasionally host “community listens” as well, as a way for communities most directly impacted by the climate crisis to share their stories and have a vehicle for their stories to spread. We will also regularly meet with organizations working on some aspect of the climate crisis to view examples of everyday people doing good work.
- Activism -- There will be many opportunities for more traditional style activism through out the ride. We will be going to state capitals to call out local politicians accepting money from the fossil fuel lobby. We will join or initiate protests outside corporate headquarters that profit from fossil fuels. We may also participate in phone banking, letter writing and other campaigns that help further the cause.
- Granting -- At the end of the ride, whatever portion of collectively fund-raised money hasn’t been spent on overhead will be granted to organizations of the participants choosing. Organizations must be working explicitly on some aspect of the climate crisis.
- Internal Education -- An informed citizenry is key to implementing social change. With this in mind, a lot of emphasis will be put on furthering education among participants. Prior to the ride, a curriculum will be created to develop comprehensive knowledge on the climate crisis. During the ride there will be documentaries, lectures and facilitated dialogue to continue to expand riders comprehension on the topic.
- Service -- Throughout the ride, we will attempt to tangibly give back where we can. This will look different depending on community needs. Some examples may be: helping to build green homes (yurts, earthships, tiny homes etc.), volunteering on permaculture or organic farms, helping out with bike powered composting projects, helping create or maintain bike lanes, giving bike workshops, litter removal projects, tree planting or volunteering in eco-villages.
What will we do on the prison ride?
There are four main ways we will do prison involved work on our ride:
organizations of the participants choosing. Organizations must be working explicitly on prison reform or abolition.
4. Internal Education -- A powerful way to make change is by having an informed citizenry. As such, a lot of emphasis will be put on furthering
education among participants about the prison industrial complex. Prior to the ride, a curriculum will be created to increase fluency with the topic.
During the ride documentaries, lectures, facilitated dialogue and community conversations will occur to continue this emphasis on education and
information.
- Community dialogues -- In the towns we stay over in, we will host community conversations about mass incarceration to spread information and create local dialogue aimed at social change. We will also occasionally host “community listens” as a way for communities impacted by the prison industrial complex to share their stories and have a vehicle for their stories to spread. We will also regularly meet with organizations working on some aspect of the prison industrial complex to view examples of everyday people doing good work to bring justice and equity.
- Inmate relationship building -- There is much to be said about the way isolation of inmates perpetuates injustice. Having human connections outside the prison walls has been shown to have immensely positive impacts for inmates. As such, a lot of emphasis on this ride will be on creating and maintaining lasting relationships with inmates. This will be done in two ways:
- Riders will begin a letter writing correspondence with one inmate in each of the five prisons we go to on this 18 day ride, beginning at least three months before the ride.
- As we ride, 5 days of the trip will be spent on prison visitation. As we pass each prison, the rider will meet one on one with the inmate they have been corresponding with. Riders are strongly encouraged to maintain correspondence and relationships after the ride has finished.
organizations of the participants choosing. Organizations must be working explicitly on prison reform or abolition.
4. Internal Education -- A powerful way to make change is by having an informed citizenry. As such, a lot of emphasis will be put on furthering
education among participants about the prison industrial complex. Prior to the ride, a curriculum will be created to increase fluency with the topic.
During the ride documentaries, lectures, facilitated dialogue and community conversations will occur to continue this emphasis on education and
information.
What will we eat?
Typically, breakfasts and dinners will be provided by the host. Lunch will consist of mostly carbs to get you through the day. As climate impact is a major consideration, we will also attempt to be predominantly vegetarian and vegan for both rides.
What is the pre-trip process like?
To prepare for one of our trips you will need to:
- Fund-raise the full amount prior to the ride
- Train for 400 miles, including the following specifications:
- ride with the gear that will be used on the trip,
- ride one ride over 55 miles,
- ride at least 1 ride in a group,
- ride at least 1 ride in the rain.
- Participate in pre-ride reading and discussion groups -- To educate ourselves on the topics prior to the ride, there will be group discussions and readings starting 3 months before the ride.
- Engage in a meaningful way in the topic locally
- For the prison ride, this means beginning to pen pal with the inmates you will be visiting on the ride.
How do I apply?
Application process
- Fill out online registration & application below
- Wait up to two weeks to hear back from us. Once accepted, SJT office will send you more information to get started.
Want to participate in one of our rides?
Interested in leading one of these tours? First, read the job description here.
If you feel the job is a fit after reading the description, click "Apply as Leader."
If you feel the job is a fit after reading the description, click "Apply as Leader."