Longtime cyclists refurbish bikes for kids, adults in want

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Longtime cyclists Phil Procida and Dick Swain use their mechanical abilities to refurbish donated bicycles, making them like new again for youngsters and adults in need. About 300 donated bicycles a yr are renovated by volunteers with Wheels For Kids, a nonprofit that works with charitable groups to distribute the bikes and helmets in the Tucson location. There are forty-five individuals in Wheels For Kids, and the institution has renovated and allotted nearly three 000 bicycles. Most individuals are avid bikers who participate in biking activities within the United States and abroad. Some plan holidays around cycling activities for pals, their own family, and biking enthusiasts. Like Procida and Swain, the cyclists need to share their joy of pedaling with kids and adults who cannot have enough money for a motorbike. Some adults use their motorbike for touring to and from work. Both guys also said they need cyclists to enjoy a laugh riding in open spaces on paths in urban or suburban regions, taking in blue skies, lush desolate tracts, or even occurring rides in the pine usa.

Longtime cyclists refurbish bikes for kids, adults in want 1

They also want them to partake in healthy exercise through biking. Procida, a local of Philadelphia, a retired international corporate executive, rides about 150 miles a week at 82. He has gained gold medals in biking activities and competes in El Tour de Tucson, El Tour de Mesa, and kingdom and countrywide Senior Olympics. He just finished organizing biking journeys in Tucson for fellow bicyclists contributors of a Chicago biking club that Procida also rides with, together with within long-distance competitions. He and his wife have been Tucson snowbirds due to 2008, completely moving to Oro Valley for the remaining 12 months. Swain, also 82, rode in cycling competitions for decades; however now rides some 20 miles per week on a trike because of fitness problems, ensuing in surgery that fused vertebrae in his neck.

But, the surgical operation did now not forestall Swain, a retired educator, and businessman who was born in Waukesha, Wisconsin, and now lives part-time in Oro Valley. He started out riding a bicycle as an infant, persevered riding thru university, and as professional commuting by using the bike more than 30 miles round journey to and from work daily. Swain’s adventures additionally have taken him lengthy-distance cycling in five foreign nations. In 2013, Swain-based Wheels For Kids was a nonprofit here. But in 2007, Swain’s supporters, friends, and fellow riders who had been participants of Vistoso Cyclists joined Swain in repairing donated motorcycles initially through Seniors For Kids, a collection that makes toys for youngsters. Swain’s volunteer work became diagnosed in 2012, while he has become a recipient of a Ben’s Bells award for kindness within the network. In 2009, Procida learned approximately Wheels For Kids from Swain, and Procida volunteered immediately, discovering a way to be a bicycle mechanic.

His schooling is ongoing as he gets recommendations from more experienced mechanics approximately techniques in refurbishing bikes. Both men currently worked on repairing a silver Mongoose seven-speed motorbike in Procida’s storage. “First, we ought to make certain the frame is good, and everything else can be replaced,” explained Procida, setting on a black apron. The frame, which sat on a stand, handed the inspection. The guys worked on a tired body, reshaping it to make it perfectly round. The bike additionally wished for a new equipment shifter and crankset. About $40 in new elements have been purchased, and the upkeep and taking the bike aside and rebuilding it ought to take up to sixteen hours of exertions. Procida invested about $250 in equipment, adding that he, without problems, spent as much as $300 a year for music-American his racing bike.

Procida displays his training, racing, and tour motorcycles on the wall inside the garage that he now can repair. When prepared to hit the road, the Mongoose will serve a youngster the men worked on. “I can’t describe the feeling while you see a tear on a younger boy when he sees a motorbike like this and thought he could by no means have one,” explained Procida. He also stated he’s moved “from the gratitude of a mother who can now get to work with a purpose to feed her family” via using a motorbike. These instances encourage Procida and others to write down grants for investment for Wheels For Kids. The agency’s annual price range is about $9,500, the majority coming from presents. A part of the price range is also used to shop for bicycles for youngsters around Christmas, filling requests from the charity organizations Wheels For Kids works within the course of the 12 months.