Mia Green Hermine

Jason Trager Bikes to BECC Campaign

Trager with BECC program manager Mia Yamauchi at
the 2011 event in DC (he flew, but purchased offsets)

Disappointed Armstrong fans can now turn to a new cycling hero. 100% sustainably-powered, organically grown man riding for charity all the way from his starting location in Berkeley (where else?!) to the Behavior, Energy and Climate Change Conference in Sacramento.

Trager, or simply "Rager" as he is known in certain circles, believes in putting his pedals where his principles are. He's the guy who walks up to you in a tweed jacket over tie-dye twirling his wildly twisted mustache to issue you an "eco-citation" for the disgusting offense to nature that is your disposable coffee cup.

Before labeling Trager as a preaching hippy, consider that he has also put in elbow grease as an active leader of the Graduate Assembly Sustainability Committee, served as the sustainability chair of the "co-ops," Berkeley's cooperative living association, slaves towards a PhD in mechanical engineering with a focus on energy efficiency and demand response management, traipses wildly across bridges and tunnels leading packs of rowdy cyclist in the monthly East Bay Bike Party, marshals millions to fund new sustainability fellowships and lives in unwavering lock-step with every principle he touts. In shoes from the free pile.

The Tragerian whirlwhind of eco-insanity evokes Alan Paton's image of someone who does what is right and speaks what is true not claiming courage or honesty, "but because is it the only way to end the conflict of [one's] deepest soul," because he is "no longer able to aspire to the highest with one part ... and to deny it with another," so he is turning all systems green and charging full speed ahead. I'm going to borrow from one of my favorite bloggers and use this opportune moment to apply the word "baddassitude" to the undertaking. 

And of course, the sustainable transportation statement isn't enough. Trager's supporters are rallying to donate to the Graduate Assembly Sustainability Award Fund in an attempt to raise $15 for every mile he rides. 

Weather concerns? Not an issue. When asked if he had plans in case of rain he said, "bike faster."

Root for the Rager Click to donate to Sustainability Fellowships

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