Check out what our friends and Riders One community members Sue Rigler of AdVinyliyze and Dana Prieto are doing to try and raise disaster relief funds for victims of the quake in Haiti. (From the event promo flyer.)

Cycle for Haiti
Saturday, Jan 23 2010
12:00-2:00

Spectrum Club South Bay members want to do something to help the victims of the recent tragic earthquake in Haiti.

On Spectrum club member, Carmina Coello, travels to Haiti doing missionary work for an organization called Child Hope International. They will the the direct beneficiary of all the proceeds collected. For more information on the organization and updates on the earthquake go to: childhope.org, or to donate directly to Child Hope click here.

On Saturday, January 23rd we will pack the spin room to capacity, crank so great tunes and cycle for 2 hour in an effort to raise funds for this cause. Our goal is to raise $5,000+. We can and will do this! All 49 spin bikes will be in motion for the entire 2 hours! The ride will be lead by Sue Rigler. (Friday 8:30am cycle instructor).

Donation requested is $100/bike. If you can't ride, we are also accepting cash donations of any amount. Make checks to Child Hope International. Child Hope International is a 501(c)3 organization.

To reserve your bike, contact Sue Rigler @ballyhoosee on Twitter, at (310) 722-5066, or by email at sue@yourpromoplace.com.

Google has put together a great resource for crisis response resources in Haiti including:

• Free Google Voice Calls to Haiti
• Donation Options
• A Person Finder Tool
• News and Update Links
• Post Earthquake Imagery from GeoEye
• Videos

I started Riders One because:

• I am a dad.
• I want my son to live in a better world than the one I grew up in.
• I want to leave behind a legacy that I am proud of.
• I believe that the world would be a better place if the same freedom and joy that you felt when you first learned to ride a bike could be revisited daily - guess what, it can.
• I believe that businesses that respect people, planet and profit should be rewarded with my dollar and loyalty.
• I believe in making influential decisions with my dollar.
• I believe that consumers (you) wield the greatest power.
• I believe that understanding concepts of sustainability adds value your life and lifestyle.
• I believe that sustainable businesses will be the greatest driving force for improving society in the future.
• I want cars & bikes/cyclists & motorists to peacefully co-exist.
• I believe that most cyclists are inherently sustainable, but may not fully understand what sustainability is.
• I believe that living sustainably is an ongoing and creative endeavor with many opportunities.
• I want to provide a learning environment and networking opportunity for cyclists.
• I want to build a community that can influence positive change.
• I am committed to a sustainable lifestyle.
• I like to ride bikes!

If any of this resonates with you, please join, follow, or get involved.

Opportunity (Green) knocks and has given me the excuse to get lost along the way to Ojai for the day. Can't believe I am chalking this one up as a business trip.

Here is the route:

Section 1: Escape from LA: http://www.ridedog.com/routes/view/los-angeles/mp-to-mulholland-start-593
Section 2: Stay High: http://www.ridedog.com/routes/view/united-states/california/los-angeles/mp-to-ojai-no-coast-592

Section 1 is my best guess at getting to the "start". If anybody has any suggestions for a better route, please let me know.
Section 2 is dirt, paved, up, down, curvy and will be painfully fun.

Leaving Monterey Park at 7am, if anybody would like to join, the more the merrier. I will try and tweet my progress. Follow @ridersone

PS. The dope is all natural. Heading up for a retreat and networking weekend with the Opportunity Green folks.