They keep coming out of the woodwork. Appearing when most needed and least expected. Amazing individuals that are willing to go the extra mile, unprompted and unrecognized. These are my unsung heroes. Who are the heroes in your life?

Everyday Heroes

My list of heroes has been growing exponentially over the past few weeks of my Ride the Talk campaign; a cycling adventure to raise funds for need-based sustainable design scholarships. As I attempt to leap over last minute obstacles, they have been arriving on the scene. Before I hop on my bike to trek 1000 miles from Montana to Minnesota, I wanted to take the time to recognize these generous individuals who are as quiet about their superpowers as they are about their superhero outfits. Every once in a while, if the light is just right and I use my peripheral vision, I can catch wink of a cape tucked under regular clothing or a golden lasso tucked into a brief case. I challenge you to notice the superheroes in your life and thank them for all they do to make your life better in some small way and to help us all live more sustainably on this planet we call home.

Thanks to all these folks who know who they are (in no order of preference!):

• The bicycle mechanics who have answered every question I have thrown at them (happily) and helped me to get my circa 1982 bike into tour-ready shape.
• My husband who has unwaveringly supported my trip despite gruesome tales from all walks of what could go wrong.
• The fireman who is determined to have all fire stations on red alert for me as I cycle through their towns.
• The friends who unflaggingly encouraged me to make the trip and have given me send-offs to remember.
• My “I’m okay” relay chain and “bicycle trip doula”: for standing by for my daily check-ins.
• My social media side-kick, who will be sure to keep the trip pulsing with digital activity.
• The blog editors that have showed their earnest support by picking up my posts.
• The outdoor adventure leaders who helped me through a last minute liability debacle.
• The peeps that have offered to pick me up, schlep my stuff, and help me make connections.
• My MCAD colleagues that have gone to bat for this adventure in dozens of ways and will continue to do so.
• The perfect strangers that will lend pieces of lawn and warm showers all along my route.
• All of the sage riders that have offered tips and words of wisdom that will make my trip lighter – both physically and metaphorically.
• Each of you that have given time, money, gear, and shared the word to help me get Ride the Talk off the ground and on the road.
• For all the superheroes that are waiting to be called into action that I will inevitably meet one day!

Campaign Update:

THANK YOU TO MY GENEROUS CAMPAIGN SPONSORS

We are nearly to the $3000 mark with over 60 generous donations. THANK YOU!

THANK YOU TO MY GENEROUS GEAR DONORS

Adventure Cycling: Missoula, MT

Alchemy Goods: Seattle, WA

Backcountry Boiler: Pittsburgh, PA

Baladeo: Bagnolet, France

Bike Doctor: Missoula, MT

Bike Fixtation: Minneapolis, MN

Good Food Store: Missoula, MT

Hellgate Cyclery: Missoula, MT

Julie Kies: Missoula, MT

Mike McDonald: Corvallis, OR

Nice Ride: Minneapolis, MN

Pacific Outdoor Equipment: Bozeman, MT

Teko: Boulder, CO

Cindy Gilbert is faculty, student advisor, and directs MCAD’s Sustainable Design program which currently offers an 18-credit Professional Certificate in Sustainable Design (just launched!) and a 30-credit Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Sustainable Design. The program emphasizes small classes (capped at 18 students) at the graduate-level that foster interdisciplinary and cross-cultural collaborations, global innovation, and creative leadership – all taught by a diverse faculty of practicing professionals. Learn about systems thinking, biomimicry, life cycle analysis, sustainable product, packaging, and graphic design, as well as design for social change and sustainable business practices. Interested? Contact us to learn more; we’re always happy to answer questions.

Superhero crossing image courtesy of Flickr CC @Brett Jordan.