Pedaling for the Planet: Donna’s Cross-Country Climate Ride

Donna Minter is a Third Actor based in Minneapolis who is embarking on a 70-day bicycling journey to raise $500,000 for Third Act and other climate organizations. We spoke with her to learn more about her adventure and how other Third Actors can support her.

Tell us what you’re up to in April.

Starting on April 1, I will be biking across America, starting from just west of San Diego (Ocean Beach) and taking 70 days to cycle to St Augustine Beach, Florida. [I’ll be joined by] my friend Becky—we’ve known each other for almost 30 years, and we have done a lot of bicycling adventures together. I’m 67 and she is 71, and we were like, You know, we’re not getting any younger, so if we’re gonna do this, we can do it soon. We’ve been planning this trip for probably about two and a half years.

What does your journey look like? How many stops will you have along the way? 

The plan is to average about 50 miles a day, and [every five to seven days] we will have a rest day—and we’ll just figure that out as we go. The farthest north we get on this route is Phoenix, Arizona, and our husbands are going to fly in and be with us for two full days of rest. And [again] when we reach Austin, Texas, as well as New Orleans. The final destination will be the Atlantic Ocean, but we don’t know the exact date—[probably] about June 6 or June 7. I’ve always wanted to do this, and felt like, now’s the right time—you’re at a certain age, you’ve been talking with your best friend about it for so long.

I’ve always wanted to do this, and felt like, now’s the right time—you’re at a certain age, you’ve been talking with your best friend about it for so long.

What inspired you to embark on this adventure?

I did some of my first long distance cycling when I was 18, with a church youth group, and I fell in love with it—I met people that were biking across the country back then, in the 70s. And I knew I wanted to do it someday. So it’s been in my heart and my soul and my mind for a long time.

Tell us about the fundraising component. 

Becky told me that she had been involved with her local Habitat for Humanity for about 40 years, and wanted to do [the ride] as a fundraiser for Habitat. And she said, You should think of something to do it for, as a fundraiser. I have three precious grandchildren, ages 10, 8, and 5, and over time, like many of us, I’ve become more and more aware of issues around climate change. A couple of years ago, my oldest grandchild looked at me and said, “Grammy, I want to do adventures with you.” And I said to her, “You do not have to ask me twice.” That’s when I knew I needed to up my game.

A couple of years ago, my oldest grandchild looked at me and said, “Grammy, I want to do adventures with you.” And I said to her, “You do not have to ask me twice.” That’s when I knew I needed to up my game.

I grew up in a family that was all about environmental stewardship, giving back, and taking care of the earth, so that’s how it all came together. I decided I wanted to raise funds for climate action organizations. I learned about a nonprofit called Climate Ride, which is based in Missoula, Montana; [they plan] bicycle trips that raise funds for climate-related nonprofit organizations. Becky and I did a ride with them in Joshua Tree National Park, and met the [Executive Director]. I asked if I could partner with them, and she said yes and told me I could choose the organizations to fundraise for. So I started identifying nonprofits that I wanted to raise money for, and I found out about Third Act. I’d read some of Bill McKibben’s books, but I hadn’t heard about Third Act, and when I learned of it, I was like, Oh my gosh, this is perfect for me. I’m over 65! 

How much money are you trying to raise? 

Becky told me that when she decided to raise money for Habitat, she wanted a big goal—half a million dollars. And I was like, Well, you’ve thrown down the gauntlet, you know? And then I thought, this is what I’m going to do, too, because climate change is a big problem. It’s going to take more than a half-million dollars to solve it, but this is what I can do to do my part. 

It’s going to take more than a half-million dollars to solve [climate change], but this is what I can do to do my part. 

How can Third Act support you along your journey? 

Telling [my] story and inviting other Third Actors from across the country to share the story with others—and, of course, to give if they can. I’m not going to turn down any really big donors, of course, but look, if 10,000 people give 50 bucks, all the money is there. 

I think the other thing people can do is follow me on Facebook. I’m hoping to post some short videos as I meet people and get into conversations with them along the way.

Any final reflections before you hit the road?

People have told me that even if they’re never going to do this, it inspires them to become active and take care of themselves, and also to be generous. And those are all things that are values of mine. And I think when we do that, good things can really happen. That’s my experience in life: you start out with a small group of people and then it just grows from there.