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Free BicyclesNovember, 2006by David Meek, CBC President 2006(Read the fine print)The Chattanooga bicycle club has been building an impressive inventory of bike shop quality bicycles. These bikes are internationally recognized name brands. We have Trek, Schwinn, Cannondale, Raleigh and GT just to name a few. The majority if the bikes are road racers, recreational and mountain bikes. These bikes are in safe storage awaiting their lucky recipients. I do not know the exact quantities at this time because they are in multiple locations. I would feel safe to say that we have two to three hundred bikes, enough for one for every club member. We would stock pile more but we have run out of room. We need to clean out these storage areas to make room for the latest models coming in. You may be asking yourself where could we have been quietly collecting and storing all these bikes without attracting attention. The answer is in your garage. You as members are the club and that old iron horse that you put out to pasture in your garage or basement needs to be set free. It is still a good bike but just not up to date with the latest high tech components and color graphics that we cycling enthusiast demand. You need to face the fact that you have better equipment now and will not ride that bike anymore. Year after year it hangs there when it could be put to good use by someone else. Remember one persons trash is another persons treasure. We as active cyclist can do our part and help the less fortunate or introduce others to our sport by giving our old equipment away. We all know of friends, neighbors or youngsters who just need that little help and motivation to get started with this recreation that can become addictive and even life changing. They may have questioned you with where do you ride, how far do you go or do you think I could ever do that. Please take a few minutes of your time right now as you read this and personally select someone who you feel could benefit the most from your gift. These are the little things in life that we can do that can leave a lasting impression and possibly improve the lives of others. If you do not personally know of anyone who would appreciate your bike then donate it to one of the many charities who will see that your old bike gets to a youngster as a Christmas present. If your bike is to large for a needy child or young adult then it will make a great source of transportation for the less fortunate. Your old bike may end up providing transportation to work or school to someone that just needs a lucky break on life’s bumpy road. So do not procrastinate, put away that selfish thought that the bike may be worth a hundred dollars. One thing for sure is after it hangs there a few more years it won’t be. Put your old bike back on the road where it belongs. Your gift or donation today will make someone’s life a little better and you a better person for it. David Meek
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