Did you know that April 22 marks Earth Day, a global celebration dedicated to honoring and protecting our planet? Since its first observance in 1970, sparked by Senator Gaylord Nelson and activist John McConnell, Earth Day has grown into a powerful movement for environmental awareness and sustainability.
What better way to pay tribute to Mother Earth than through the very act of cycling—one of the most environmentally friendly modes of transportation? Whether indoors or out, riding a bicycle connects us to the planet in a deeply meaningful way. This April, bring that connection into your cycling studio with an Earth Day–themed ride that celebrates the breathtaking beauty of nature and reminds us why protecting it matters.
We’ve created two bucket playlists to help you craft the perfect Earth Day ride, with over 500 songs to choose from (ICA members can find those at the end of this post):
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Earth Day/Nature/Trees (~300 songs): Includes classics like Joni Mitchell’s “Big Yellow Taxi” and Michael Jackson’s “Earth Song,” along with deeper cuts like Jack Johnson’s “The 3 Rs,” the Pixies’ “Monkey Gone to Heaven,” and Radiohead’s “Idioteque.”
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World/Change the World/Top of the World (~210 songs): A collection that stands strong on its own but also complements an Earth Day theme, filled with powerful messages of unity, hope, and global awareness.
And don’t forget—this is also the season of renewal. Consider adding a few songs from our Springtime and Flower bucket playlists to reflect the blossoming of life that surrounds us this time of year. Tracks about flowers, sunshine, and new beginnings can enhance your ride and help riders feel even more connected to the rhythms of the Earth.
Design a Ride That Brings the Earth into the Studio
Since we simulate the outdoor experience when we ride indoors, Earth Day is the perfect time to bring the beauty and diversity of our planet into your studio. Paint vivid pictures with your cues and let the music transport your riders. Use terrain, imagery, and emotion to evoke awe and gratitude for the world around us. Here are a few ideas to inspire your profile:
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Glide over rolling hills through golden farmland, where the breeze carries the scent of wildflowers and freshly turned soil.
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Climb long, winding ascents beneath towering trees, their canopy offering cool shade as the sun filters through the leaves.
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Ride along a rugged coastline, where waves crash below and sea spray mists your face.
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Feel the resistance of a headwind as you push across open plains, only to be gifted a tailwind on the way back that lifts and carries you forward.
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Descend into a lush valley beside a bubbling brook, the sound of water mingling with birdsong and the rhythm of your pedal strokes.
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Traverse sun-scorched desert roads, where heat rises off the pavement and the horizon shimmers with promise.
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Wind through alpine meadows bursting with wildflowers, snow still clinging to the mountaintops in the distance.
Let the music enhance the sensory experience—some songs may evoke the sway of tall grasses, the warmth of sunlight, or the quiet strength of ancient forests. Engage all five senses with your coaching: the scent of pine, the coolness of mountain air, the sound of chirping birds, the color of a sunrise.
This kind of ride doesn’t just honor the Earth—it reminds your riders of why it’s worth fighting for.
No Earth Day profile would be complete without a reflective cool-down. Marvin Gaye’s “Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)” is a poignant choice to bring your riders back to the present and reflect on how far we’ve come—and how far we still have to go.
Whoa, ah, mercy, mercy meAh, things ain’t what they used to be (ain’t what they used to be)Where did all the blue skies go?Poison is the wind that blowsFrom the north and south and eastWhoa mercy, mercy me, yeahAh, things ain’t what they used to be (ain’t what they used to be)Oil wasted on the ocean and upon our seasFish full of mercuryOh Jesus, yeah, mercy, mercy me, ahAh, things ain’t what they used to be (ain’t what they used to be)Radiation underground and in the skyAnimals and birds who live nearby are dyingHey, mercy, mercy me, ohHey, things ain’t what they used to beWhat about this overcrowded land?How much more abuse from man can she stand?
This song’s haunting lyrics are as relevant today as they were in 1971.
Let us know how you’re celebrating Earth Day with your riders! What songs or terrain metaphors are you using to honor our planet? Drop your ideas in the comments below—we’d love to hear from you.
🌎 ICA members can access the two Earth Day bucket playlists below:
👉 Earth Day/Nature/Trees
👉 World/Change the World/Top of the World
Let’s keep pedaling toward a cleaner, greener, more sustainable future—today and every day.