Organizers are hoping recycling themes take off

YOUNGSTOWN — Dan and Erin Quinlan, founders of Carbon Racing, organized next month’s Tour of the Valley to take place at four different venues in Mahoning and Columbiana counties.

It’s billed as “the largest bicycle race of its type with the biggest purse ($12,500).”

The event is expected to attract more than 300 pro and elite amateur riders.

What makes it one-of-a-kind?

Its carbon-neutral designation and recycling theme.

“We’re tying to make this race a pilot program for other races across the country and create a labeling system that they can copy,” said Dan Quinlan, whose secondary objective to the competitive part of the race is pro-environment and pro-green.

“To do it in an area like Youngstown — change the mind-set from steel and industrial and energy consumer — will, hopefully, spread so that people look at this area as an example. We’re going to be the first event that’s carbon-neutral.”

Quinlan defined carbon-neutral as it pertains to the cycling event.

“Whenever we use any kind of fuel source, we produce carbon dioxide emissions [greenhouse gases/global warming],” Quinlan said, citing those who be driving from Cleveland or Akron or elsewhere. “What we can do is purchase energy from renewable sources that don’t produce those types of emissions and we calculate the energy we use in our Tour and purchase that same amount of energy as renewable energy.

“When people use gasoline driving to the race, that has an energy impact on the environment,” Quinlan said. “What we’re trying to do — if we can buy energy from a solar panel and use it in another location or in some other form — is offset that amount of energy that was just used as fuel.”

Instead of initiating the step in California or some other progressive part of the country, Youngstown is making the move.

“We’re trying to give Youngstown a different approach,” Quinlan said. “We’re trying to not only do something good for the environment, but something low-impact.”

Carbon Racing, a local, non-profit, competitive cycling team, travels the country and, through racing activities, promote ways to converse energy and efficiency.

“We use our Web site or face-to-face interaction with other racers and people we reach, explaining the benefits of car-pooling events and providing more fuel-efficient vehicles.

“We’re an informational source. We also help other organizations — sporting organizations — make their events environmentally friendly. It’s not just about energy and carbons, but it’s also about recycling.”

bassetti@vindy.com

SEE ALSO: Officials gear up for bicycle racing’s Tour of the Valley and Cyclists gear up for tour of Valley.