Donna Minter is riding her bike across the county for the next two months because she wants the Earth to be around for her grandchildren.

“That's why this is called a Grammy Ride,” Minter said. “I have three precious grandchildren and I want them to have a healthy Earth to enjoy adventures. And I want everybody's children to have that.”

Minter, an East Bde Maka Ska resident, is currently on a 3,200-mile bike ride to raise money for climate justice action organizations. Alongside her is Becky Bolander, a friend she met on a bicycling trip 30 years ago. The two are riding unassisted along the Southern Tier route from California to Florida at a pace of at least 45 miles a day and camping overnight.

This bike trip was planned for last year but Bolander was hit by a driver while on a training ride in July 2024 and fractured her pelvis in four places. The 71-year-old recuperated fast enough to ride with Minter, 67, starting on April 1 in Ocean Beach, California.

“After an amazing send off with good (California) friends and doing a ceremonial back tire dip in the Pacific Ocean, we covered over 4,000 feet of elevation gain in 36.9 miles,” Minter posted on the Grammy Ride Facebook page about their first day, where she publishes regular updates about the ride.

The ride’s highest elevation gain will be Emory Pass in New Mexico at 8,228 feet. By April 4 Minter reported the two had made it to Calexico, California, headed towards the Chihuahuan Desert. On April 13 they posted a video from the Tonto Basin in Arizona.

A map of the first leg of the Grammy Climate Ride, which follows the Southern Tier bicycle route. Image: Adventure Cycling Association

The Grammy Climate Ride’s goal is to raise $500,000 for four organizations: Climate Generation, Minnesota Interfaith Power and Light, Climate STARR, and Third Act–a climate organization for people who say, “I still have a third act in me,” Minter said. The nonprofit fundraising platform Climate Ride is hosting Minter’s "independent challenge” fundraiser.

To stay fueled for their long riding days, Minter said coffee, apricots, almonds, and freeze-dried meals are all necessities.

“When people ask us, ‘do you have any dietary restrictions?’ We're like, ‘we're not into waffles and pancakes,’” Minter said, describing stopping at places for breakfast. “We eat eggs. Eggs and proteins.”

To follow the Grammy Climate Ride, visit the ride’s Facebook page.