MTB for a soldier

[SouthernBelle]

There is a soldier in Iraq who is looking for a mountain bike to ride around "in the walls" He is 5'6". He used to race back in the 90s.

Anybody have anything?

[mimitabby]

what does "in the walls" mean?

[SouthernBelle]

On post. Within the protection of the walls.

Not too safe to ride through downtown Bagdad. ;)

[mimitabby]

sounds to me like there are lots of bikes he could get on Craig's list; when I put a "want" ad in a while back for a coworker, cheaper MTB's were available. I imagine the cost would be shipping!

good luck

[SouthernBelle]

I'm planning on covering shipping. I suspect he is trying to buy one. But I don't see any reason to let that happen if I can avoid it.

[Trek420]

Do you have his military adress? Shipping it to Iraq does not save him time or money and costs you much more. It's plopped onto the same plane or rowboat over, gets there the same time. So troops have a "local" stateside address, with zip code and all. Ship it there and notify him it's on the way.

I bet you could post to local Craigs and get a bike donated :) And tell him I wish him safe rides and hope he rides home soon :D

[SouthernBelle]

His APO address is the same as domestic shipping. I am checking around to see what I can find.

[Trek420]

Does he need power bars, jerseys, GU? :) I bet we could get something going here.

Trek-hates this &*^% war but loooooooooves our troops-420

[KnottedYet]

My brother is in the military. He has a bike over there with him. I think the bike keeps him sane, even though he can't ride much.

What else does your friend need? Lets fill the bike-box with goodies! (hey, they'll help protect the bike during shipping, right?)

[SouthernBelle]

Probably spare tubes, a good lube (sand you know), any other maintenance type stuff.

[SouthernBelle]

It looks like we've found a bike. It will be heading out of North Carolina. When I have more info I will let you know. I think I will end up being the collection point for a separate package of stuff.

[Trek420]

I think I can put together a few things and get them to you in the mail this week. :) My people will pm your people for an address.

JK, I don't have people. :rolleyes:

Thank you for doing this. And thank our soldier for serving.

[onimity]

I am in touch with a solider in Iraq who posted to a MTB forum about his bike commute there. He helps the other soldiers with bikes maintain them, but they have a shortage of tools and (especially) tubes:

We can always use tubes! 26X1.75-2.35 or equivalent will fit
everything >we have, and we prefer presta valves. Some wax-based chain
lube or some >grease would also come in handy, although I can get
generic grease from >work and I still have some chain lube left. What we
really need are >some bike-specific tools (BB tool, chain whip,
shimano-type cog >lockring tool, ect.), just general bike shop stuff. I
have a multi-tool >with about every hex wrench I need, and any other
wrenches/sockets I >can get from work. But I can't get into bottom
brackets or freehubs to >service them without those special tools.
Cabling would also come in >handy, both brake and derailleur. A floor
pump that does presta and >schrader valves would help, as we're
currently using my hand pump. And >if you're really feeling generous, we
could use a good bike work stand, >but I understand they are pretty pricey.
>
>Thanks a lot for your support. It's nice to know people are thinking
>about us over here. And it's great that cycling has this kind of
>community; it makes the sport so much more enjoyable!

If anyone has anything to send, I'm sure they'd be willing recipients as well. Please PM me if so. I am planning to get a work stand. (anyone have a recommendation for what to buy?)

I am trying to collect things from a local group but the bureaucratic process is driving me bonkers. People want to discuss whether it is a pro-war or anti-war stance, and I just don't think it matters. We are all cyclists.

Anne

[KnottedYet]

SB - the more efficient thing for me to do might be to send you a little money so you can buy stuff you know he needs and fill the gaps. Do you have an LBS that might give you a discount if you go in with a shopping list for him?

[SouthernBelle]

I plan on going by my LBS tomorrow to see what I can scrounge anyway. I'll see.

[Trek420]

I am trying to collect things from a local group but the bureaucratic process is driving me bonkers. People want to discuss whether it is a pro-war or anti-war stance, and I just don't think it matters. We are all cyclists.

Anne

We're cyclists and I think we all love our troops.

This just fries me to no end and sorry for the thread hijack and what may come off as a rant.

My lefty resume takes second fiddle to very few, likely not the people on your local group (how's that for mixing analogies?).

My first memory at about 3 years old in a little red wagon behind my parents in an anti war march, or it might have been civil rights because I'm 51 so that might have been early for Vietnam.

Sonoma County then might as well have been in the South or Midwest, not the Blue state wine country it is today. That was not easy for them to take a stand. The risk was intense. I do not know if I would have the courage.

And I still feel wars won't solve world problems and this one most of all.

So, if you would be so kind as to tell those kids (and they are probably are compared to me so ...) you say you want to be anti war?

Sure, I'm right there with ya'. Do a vigil each Friday night in the town square as my 85 year old Mom and her peace group do, or an informational picket or brochure, or here's a really good idea.....vote!

I take the week off before elections and primaries to volunteer for the candidate of my choice. I've done that since oh...McGovern?

So I'll see you walking or biking the precinct, right? :rolleyes:

Meanwhile denying a request for the simple pleasure of a bike ride, even a card, the knowledge that people here care does not bring anyone home any faster.

Fact is it may extend the war if people see progressives as anti-soldier. That could not be further from the truth.

I think we all support our troops.

I've gathered up a few things, will be sending them off including a large poster of world champion racer Dede Barry

www.dedebarry.com/pages/photos_full/19.htm

It's a bit more intense than this shot, feels like she's about to run you over. :D Should inspire the guy ;-)

[KnottedYet]

Bike stuff is a good thing to do, regardless of politics.

I just found out my brother will be home on leave and I get to see him this weekend! We rarely know where he is or what he is doing, and he's not allowed to tell us. It will be good to know exactly where he is! (at the dinner table!)

He and SKnot are amazingly alike.

I'll ask him about bikes.

[Tuckervill]

The most important thing in all this, no matter how you feel about war, is that no one likes to be forgotten. Believe me, I would like nothing more than to forget that there are soldiers over there AND that their wives, husbands, mothers, fathers and children are back here doing WITHOUT them. 2005 was the worst year of my life, while my son was deployed, and I'm eternally grateful that the worst thing didn't happen. One of my husband's employees was called up last week, for his second tour, and we said goodbye to him on Friday. They're expecting their third child. After 2 years, I'm finally able to look a soldier in the eye without bursting into tears.

I would love to forget and it's easy to do when you're not personally affected. The day my son came home I said how I'd like to forget. My normally very reserved son said, "You can't." I took it as an edict. Don't forget them. And while you're not forgetting, maybe remembering their families will make it more real for you.

Would someone please send me a paypal address so I can send some money for the Baghdad Bike Shop?

Karen

[onimity]

Trek, I couldn't agree more. The group I've been trying to work with is a non-profit and there are some that are concerned that it would be taking a political stance to do anything, which just fries me.

I feel very strongly about the war on a political level, but that doesn't really matter does it? I mean, it does when I'm voting, it does when I'm choosing which products I purchase, which modes of transportation I choose, the decisions I can make, but supporting our troops, and our fellow cyclists, goes beyond that. The way I look at it, if I think the war is wrongheaded, that's more reason, not less, to support the people our government has sent over there.

If anyone wants me to pick up parts to send on their behalf, I'd be happy to. My LBS will give me 20% off, and I'm trying to get other stores to donate items on their list. My paypal registered email is anne at annedirkse dot com.

Please send me a note if so and let me know if there is anything in particular you'd like your money to purchase. For those that have tools/parts/care packages to send, PM me and I can give you the military address to send to. SouthernBelle, I'd be happy to send some stuff to your friend as well...

Anne

[Trek420]

Southernbelle,

My former boss used to be a chef in the navy. She just handed me 2 great water bottles (the hard plastic type, don't know what they are called).

The poster and bottles are in a tube along with a small hex set.

The hex set is wrapped in a "breast power" red bandana because every cyclist needs a 'dam*bana :p :cool: We both signed it and you and anyone else who wants to join in the gesture please sign the dam*bana. This goes off in the mail tonight or early tomorow.

To either of you: I have a planet bike saddle, haven't been able to sell or give away otherwise. Nothing wrong with it just not my fave saddle. But if you think either guy could need a spare let me know and can send in box #2.

Thanks for doing this. I'd love to be a fly on the wall when he gets these :D

[Xrayted]

I love this forum!! Ok, I'm in. SB, I'll PM you for some details.
Onimity - what can you use yet or is it better to just send some $$ your way?

I'll look through our bike goody box tonight after work and see what spares I can come up with. :D

Thank you for doing this. :cool:

[onimity]

Hi Xrayted,

Thanks for being willing to help. I'm sure these guys will appreciate it.

I don't have any of the tools from the list I posted earlier, nor do I have brake/derailleur cables. I do have tubes & chain lube, as well as a floor pump to send. I'm planning on buying a stand for them & so will put any money I get toward the tools. I'm also planning on sending along some spare parts/tools that I've collected here, saddles, pedals, etc.

I think that the biggest thing to consider is that they are riding pretty rugged bikes, and doing a lot of maintenance work thanks to the sand. So anything that you have that would help to that end would most likely be well-appreciated. If sending money is easier, I'm happy to use that to buy things of their wish list.

Southern Belle,

Thanks for the address, I'll send a portion off the things I collect your friend's way as well.

Anne

[ChainsOflove]

I have been wondering about this as I have a gorgeous Dahon full size 650MM folding bike I may donate.

Do you know of any resource to find someone who would want it?

I was thinking maybe something like Operation Homefront?

[SouthernBelle]

For those who want to send directly to my guy, his address is:

SFC Bruce L. Hall
HHT, 3-17 CAV
43418
APO AE 09322-3418

For figuring cost, should be the same as mailing something to NY.

Chains, I've asked him if he knows of someone who could use the Dahon.

[SouthernBelle]

Chains,

Bruce's bunk mate would like the Dahon. You can send it to Bruce. If you need help on the postage, let us know. If you are sure you want to send it.

[Trek420]

Belle,

Because you can't ride allllll the time, do you think they'd want my Bicycling Magazines? Sometimes a guy just needs something to read :cool: :rolleyes:

[SouthernBelle]

Trek,

Yep they would like the mags!

[Trek420]

Trek,

Yep they would like the mags!

Done. I'll get them out. :D

[SouthernBelle]

Trek,

I got your tube! Cool. However did you get those bottles in there? I had to use a broom handle to push the 2nd one out. :p

It was like Christmas. I plan on getting a package out next week.