Santa Cruz Green Fondo, Putting Purpose to the Pedal

Few combinations produce better results than an outpour of passion mixed with a good cause.  And if that passion is healthy, fun and shared by others, you may just have discovered the killer brew.  In this case, it’s the Green Fondo, a 56-mile bike race with a name slightly reminiscent of sustainable fondue, but is actually based on the ‘gran fondo’, European-style cycling event.  Held along the gorgeous Route 1 stretch from Santa Cruz to Davenport, through Bonny Doon then finishing at Main St.Garden & Cafe, the course is scenic and diverse.

The race will raise funds for several Santa Cruz non-profits, but that’s not all.  Rather than just offer financial support, the race organizers are using this venue as an opportunity to promote green solutions, healthier lifestyles and a sustainable future.

Intrigued, I wanted to know more.  But reaching Sean Holman, a longtime Santa Cruz resident who works on green energy construction projects around the country, coaches swimming in Scott’s Valley and runs the Velo Cruz cycling club, was no easy task.  This energetic activist and visionary is building the Green Fondo on the success of a similar race he organized last year called the Swanton Loop Challenge where thirty-three riders helped to raise $9,200 for the Homeless Garden Project. Now Holman envisions taking the Santa Cruz model and replicating it around the country.

As Holman explains, “Keeping resources local is both profound and simple, we’re giving community members a chance to vote with their dollars and support local businesses and non-profits by tying them all together into one amazing cause.  Cycling, community, sustainability solutions, it all connects – it’s a closed loop.  If I can align with some of the businesses in town, it becomes a total experience.  Delicious, sustainable food, helping the community, your body feels good after doing the ride, local businesses are participating, good friends, and prizes.  What could be better?”

Proceeds from the race benefit nonprofits Ecology Action, Save Our Shores, Food What?!, Diabetic Youth Foundation and the Santa Cruz County Cycling Club.

Read on for a behind the scenes look at Green Fondo:

EB:    Tell me about the Green Fondo – where did it originate, what is the mission, why is it called Green Fondo?

SH:  The Green Fondo is an idea that I came up with while thinking of combining my two passions: green energy and cycling. I noticed a Gran Fondo movement happening across the country right now, kind of the like the marathon movement back in the 80′s.  These are large mass cycling events based around local communities and designed to celebrate the cycling lifestyle. There is usually a timed portion of the ride and traditionally there is a bike patron backing the event. The Green Fondo is different from a normal “Gran Fondo” in that I’ve added a theme and a particular focus.

The Green Fondo mission came to me at 3 AM, one night. I wanted to put on an event that brought attention to smaller, local non-profits that were doing great work in the community, had an environmental focus, and which could use both the help and the spotlight. I like the fact that the Green Fondo fundraising efforts directly impact these small non-profits through local donations.

I do not know of any other event that is employing this kind of model: providing a custom, high-end experience, partnering with local, non-profits and businesses, building community by rewarding participation, and giving participants an opportunity to learn how they can impact their immediate environment. The Green Fondo does all of the above.

EB:   Sounds empowering!   I like the idea of the bike ride, but I’m not a hardcore rider.   Is it something I can train for and be prepared in time for April 29th?  What if I don’t finish in time? 

SH:  I designed the route to mirror the Tour of California – SC County Stagecourse, but made it a little easier. We will be riding some of the same roads that the pro cyclists will ride on May 14th, but obviously we are not pro athletes and we won’t be racing. In my Velo Cruz cycling community, there are all types cyclists, 130 riders in all.

The time trial up Bonny Doon Road is a totally “opt in” experience. Test your legs on one of the best climbs in Santa Cruz County or enjoy the view as you make the ascent. Either way, I am partnering with three bike shops in the area that will help in offering support on the course if there is any trouble or someone needs to end their day early. There will also be five aid stations on the course, if riders need to take a break, they will not be far from supporters and volunteers.

EB:  Raising $500 is a challenging goal for most of us.  Do you have any fundraising strategies or suggestions?

SH:  My initial thought is to use social media and networking tools that exist today. I feel we all have at least 100 friends on Facebook, why not spread the effort over your friend’s and network with a small donation request. I like to think 100 of each of our friends would postpone their next mocha and give $5 that will help 5 non-profits in our community. That “mocha” can really make a difference in a different kind of way.

I have one Velo Cruz cyclist that puts on a martini party to help her fundraise her amount for the Homeless Garden Project charity ride last October. We had 33 cyclists raise over $9200.00 in just three weeks. Micro-donations and “crowd funding” are the way to go. I do not want anyone involved to think that $500 target is a “2nd job” or impossible.

I am also working on getting the non-profit’s supporters to help sponsor cyclists with small donations. Little donations can add up quickly.

EB:  The Green Fondo sounds like a pretty intense project, and I’m guessing you have other obligations in your life.  What motivates you to do this work?

SH:  For my day job, I develop non-utility scale wind energy projects around North America. I saw a good opportunity in creating a cycling event to help get the word out about the benefits of smaller scale wind energy, green energy, and sustainable solutions, in general.

I started along this path in 2004, when I launched my cycling club, Velo Cruz  and recruited members from all over the map.  It’s grown into a very inclusive and inviting group, open to all cyclists.  The enthusiasm was enough to inspire me to design some cool cycling gear and continue to grow my community.  The missing piece was to tie in a purpose to the Velo Cruz name.  I wanted to add meaning to the mission by asking the question “Who do you ride for?”  It’s an opportunity to give back to the community.  This is a group not tied to a corporation, we’re centered around local community.

Putting on an event for the cycling community, whether it be a training camp, group event or something like the Green Fondo, seemed like the logical next step. I want to give a cyclist a certain experience here in the Santa Cruz area. I want to go beyond just wearing the jersey and Velo Cruz name on your back. It made total sense to tie a social message and meaning to Velo Cruz.

It’s really tough these days for a lot of people. I totally believe that the best way through a time like now, is by helping others. Why not start in right here in our own community? Cycling can be a great megaphone in helping bring awareness to an important cause, especially one within our local community.

EB:  What inspired you to choose the Slow Coast as your site?

SH:  It’s another one of those things that just “clicked”. I had designed my cycling jersey with the phrase “Slow Down, Ride Fast” on the back. After attending a cycling camp in the Pyrenees and Basque County, I wanted to slow my life down, so I could ride my bike fast. I had just completed a pretty long stint in the “rat race”, commuting close to 10 hours a week and I wanted to re-prioritize my life. I was inspired by my time spent in Spain to the point where I wanted to start a cycling business and make some changes in my lifestyle. I wanted to begin to enjoy life in a different way.

Not long after my Spain trip, I began to learn about the Slow Coast here in California. The stretch of coast from Santa Cruz to San Francisco is considered the “Slow Coast”. A region that celebrates a great way of living: organic, sustainable, and with less technology. I reached out to J & Dana Nichols who runslowcoast.org and basically said that I want to put on a cycling event that celebrates this region and way of life. They were totally supportive and offered help and encouragement immediately. HWY 1 is also one of my favorite roads to ride. Making your way back to Santa Cruz, looking over to your right, seeing that big, blue ocean, with the wind at your back, something just happens to you. Life is really good at that point.

EB:  If I’m not able to race, how can I become involved?

SH:  I have the donation process set up to where anyone can follow a cyclists’ efforts in fundraising and support them if they would like. I think it would be great for people to just pick a cyclist and donate a few bucks toward the effort. Volunteering at the event and helping get the word out with social media would really help, too. This first year is really important. I am committed to growing the Green Fondo long term and firmly believe that it can be a great way to help the Santa Cruz Community, as a whole.

Learn More:

WHAT: 56-mile ride after Tour of California route

WHEN: 8 a.m. April 29

INFORMATION: www.greenfondo.com