Six Hundred Mile Bike Ride For Animals

I'm going to ride my bike 600 miles to raise money for and awareness of farm animals. I am undertaking this ride to mark my 10 year vegan anniversary and to benefit Farm Sanctuary, a group who was a big inspiration and influence on my decision to go vegan.

When I went vegan I didn't know how I was going to do it, or what I was going to eat but my heart was speaking so loudly to me I had to listen, no matter the inconvenience, doubt, and social awkwardness I might have to go through. What I was asking of myself was the least I felt I could do for the animals.

That decision changed my life in ways I never would have imagined. That decision put me on a path away from cynical apathy to doing my part to make the world a better place. It led me away from not caring about anything outside of my own comfort to caring deeply for the well being of animals and humans alike. It led me away from the pessimistic idea that I couldn't make a difference to dedicating my life to trying.

Over the years I've met the most dedicated and caring people I'll ever know, all because of veganism and animal rights. My partner and I are raising a beautiful vegan kid who loves animals and the farm. She loves coming to "take care of the animals." She also loves to ride bikes, as it turns out. The work I do with Herbivore and the Let Live Foundation never would have happened had I not made this choice. And this choice might not have stuck had it not been for Farm Sanctuary.

All those years ago Farm Sanctuary was a big inspiration and help on my new path of living cruelty-free. Now, as I mark my 10th year, I want to give back to the farm and the animals by marking this personal accomplishment and by raising money and awareness for the farm.

I'm going to leave Portland the first week of May and spend the next still to be determined number of days riding South to the farm. My plan is to average around 80 miles a day on the road. I intend to arrive on May 15 and will Emcee the Annual Hoe Down over that weekend.

I've been to both Farm Sanctuary farms, in Watkins Glen, New York, and Orland, California and have met the most amazing people and animals at both. These are animals who were doomed to live and die horribly were it not for a small group of people who care enough to take them in, nurse them back to health, and provide them with a wonderful place to live out their days. I've met weeks old piglets rescued from floods, animals dumped on the side of the road, and animals abandoned by farmers who found it more cost effective to let the animals starve to death than to find them a new home or euthanize them when the farm went bankrupt. Farm Sanctuary helps every animal it can and gives many of these animals the only affection and care they have ever received. It is a very special place for the animals and humans who visit. Meeting these animals and people has touched me every time.

So I will not be shy asking you to support them by sponsoring me on this ride. Details on how to donate coming soon!

-Josh Hooten