Quote Originally Posted by mary9761
Since she was a gift basically as being paid out of layway by an anonymous donor, I kind of like the thought of paying it forward that way.
Exactly. I passed on the rusty old Schwinn that I fixed up and rode all over town the first summer I was riding. I told the girl I gave it to that she was welcome to pass it on to someone else when she could afford a better bike.

Here in Chicago there's a shop called Urban Bikes. The owner scours the alleys for bikes and parts, and accepts donations. He has a summer clinic in which he teaches kids how to fix up bikes. At the end of the session, they get to keep the bike they've fixed up, and they've got some money-making skills in bike repair. I suggested she pass the Schwinn on to them when she's done. Bikes are remarkable things...there's a midwife in Mali who saves lives with a bicycle ambulance she's rigged up...well, I'm preaching to the choir here!

Mary, you and I know what a transformation was started when we first pushed those pedals down. To help somebody else find this way of life is incredible.

Take care, Lise