Grab your bike, let's go for a ride

"We've made a big impact on the communities we live in." 11/15/18 This Sikh Motorcycle Club Rides for Compassion After a gunman killed six worshippers at a Sikh temple in 2012, Gurinder Singh Basra knew he needed to do something to fight deadly stereotypes about his faith. Sikhs, who believe in equality for all and service to others, increasingly had become the targets of hate crimes after September 11, 2001. So Gurinder started the Sikh Riders of America, a motorcycle club dedicated to fostering dialogue and visibility, while also fundraising for charities.    A huge thanks to our guest editor this week, Portland Trail Blazer CJ McCollum. All week, he handpicked stories celebrating mentors inspiring the next generation. Sailing the World With Renewable Energy In 2013, veteran boat racer Victorien Erussard ran out of fuel in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. There were energy sources all around him—the tide, the sun, the wind—but he had no way of harnessing them. This moment of chaos gave way to an idea: the world's first hydrogen-powered boat. Now, his Energy Observer is sailing around the world, setting a precedent for how we might revolutionize energy production and consumption.   This Great Big Story was made possible by Shell.  The Best Stargazing is at the Northern Tip of India For some of the best stargazing in the world, many make the trek to Ladakh at the northern tip of India. The region is home to the Indian Astronomical Observatory, specifically situated for its unique geology. For visitors of the observatory, the summer months give way to a perfectly clear sky. As soon as the sun sets, visitors are treated to a blanket of extraordinary stars and light.   This Great Big Story was made possible by Incredible India. The Artist Behind Ski Trail Maps When you're strapping on your bindings and preparing to hit the slopes, you probably aren't focusing on the artistry that goes into ski maps. But for Jim Niehues, that's life. The ski map artist paints every tree, shadow and mountain peak on trail maps for some of the world's major ski resorts. Thirty years ago, Jim decided to start a career as a ski map artist. Now, nearly 200 maps later, he still loves guiding people down mountains.   We caught up with Jim Niehues to see what he's been up to lately. Read about his next adventure and the ski family that's trying to capture it all. Support their campaign here. View this email in your browser.  Copyright © 2018 Great Big Story, LLC, All rights reserved.You are receiving this message because you subscribed to the Great Big Story newsletter. Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list