With its beautiful scenery, bike-friendly roads and shared-use paths, Maine is a great place to cycle. From the iconic Acadia National Park, to the rocky coast and then 360 miles on to Boston, Massachusetts, two of ADAMS Center’s own will bike the 5 day long Climate Ride.
Hafidh Mohammed Hoque, 26, and his sister Fahmida, 19, who is also completing the memorization of the Quran, are Northern Virginia natives. They aren’t avid roadies— “crazy bikers”— but like cycling.
This Bangladeshi American duo is training on local trails, including the ‘Wad’ — the Washington & Old Dominion Trail, a great rail trail through the Northern Virginia counties. The W&OD Trail begins in the Shirlington area of Arlington County, just off I-395 Exit 6. It ends "way-out" in rural Purcellville, VA. Along the way, it passes through towns like Falls Church and Leesburg, and high-tech centers such as Reston and Herndon.
Mohammed Hoque is the team captain for National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA), where he works as a software engineer. Since 1919, the NPCA has ‘worked to strengthen and protect America's favorite places’, our parks. The organization lobbies Congress for funding of America’s parks, clean air, clean water in all the beautiful places in America.
Mohammed has special health challenges. “It’s not going to be easy.” His immune system is weak and he is on a very restricted diet. He is afraid of bonking - biker’s lingo for running out of energy due to glycogen depletion. The Climate Ride organizers have made special accommodations for his home cooked meals of quinoa, cabbage and chicken as he is not able to digest many other foods.
“For those of you who know me, you know that I've been dealing with health issues that have really affected and impacted my life. I'm using this ride to motivate me to train, get stronger, and get ready for the most challenging physical feat that I have ever done. I want to use this ride as a catalyst to regain my strength and feel better so I can do more in the future without my health holding me back,” states Mohammed.
Having his sister beside him puts Hoque at ease. “I believe he can do it, she says with confidence. Fahmida just returned from a backpacking trip to the Californian redwoods in Yosemite where she trekked and survived for 9 days with the 35 lbs of supplies packed in her backpack. “I learned to appreciate things more and am mentally calmer...it was an amazing experience,” she says of her educational trip through NatureBridge.
The game plan is that the siblings will wait for each other. They will stop for salah along the route. Eid Day will be on their road bikes as well.
Climate Ride is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that organizes life-changing charitable events to raise awareness and support sustainability, active transportation, and environmental causes.In 2015, the organization issued $875,011.00 in grants to 125 nonprofit organizations working on climate, conservation and active transportation issues. 28 percent of grants are designated for bicycle coalitions and active transportation work. 72 percent of grants are focused on conservation, climate and environmental work. Since 2008, Climate Ride has granted more than $3.2 Million to its beneficiaries.
“This is an incredibly important time to inspire people and increase philanthropic support for sustainability. Climate Ride is ready to rise to the challenge,” said Caeli Quinn, Executive Director of Climate Ride. “Through our events, we combine fitness, extraordinary experiences and the beauty of the American landscape, while uniting businesses, individuals, and nonprofits around climate, conservation and active transportation. We’ve heard from so many of our supporters across the U.S. that they’d like to see a Climate Ride event closer to home. These new events will increase our national participation and the impact of our grants program on local and national nonprofits. It’s a win for our participants and a win for the planet,” she adds.
“We engage in the Climate Ride events to support a collection of beneficiary organizations that are working to engage citizens in the possibility of a green economy, educate the public about the interconnected web of environmental issues related to the climate crisis, mobilize government and businesses to enact sound energy policies that promote renewables, and raise the profile of green transportation.”
“Muslims should support sustainable causes.” The Muslim community needs to understand that these initiatives need our support, says Mohammed. This bike ride is a way to “raise awareness and do something for y[our] health. There are 70 year olds that ride bikes and this is considered unusual in our community.”
The Hoques have slowly incorporated green choices in their life. From LED lightening to recycling to shopping at their local natural food store. “Our local MOMs [store] has been a major influence and educator. The NPCA team goal is to raise $10,000. And Muhammad’s personal goal is $6,000. “I need to raise at least half of my goal to go on this ride. Your donations will support the National Parks Conservation Association as well as the great initiatives by Climate Ride that help raise awareness for sustainability and environmental causes.”
Help the brother and sister team appreciate the creation of Allah by helping to preserve it by visiting: http://support.climateride.org/participant/fhoque
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