Bicycle hoarding really can be for the greater good...

[woohoo]

In 2004 our Scout group went to Germany for 2 weeks, about 45 of us. For months and months before the German Scouts we were visiting had hoarded bikes, scouring local ads and freemarkets, and fixing them up. When we arrived they had made sure that every one of us could borrow a bike and a lock (we brought our own helmets!) The bike collection was eclectic at best: some had brakes that were big rubber pads which pressed onto the running surface of the tyres, many were pedal backwards to stop, and many were bodged together with incredible skill. Almost all were older than me! We absolutely loved it though, and for 2 weeks were able to zip around en masse in the sun, able to explore loads of places we'd never have been able to get to without bikes. It was absolutely phenomenal, and I'll always have a great appreciation for the benefits of bike hoarding!

L

P.S. Mine was a mixte which was down to one functional gear and which rode over on the rim every time I leaned over too far, but continued straight on whenever you turned the handlebars! By the end of the trip I could ride it on grass or gravel with confidence though; bikelove at its best!

[Geonz]

I was able to get several members of a family visiting from Europe on bikes from my fleet. I think it's one way to spread the infection

[Cataboo]

woohoo, that's awesome.


The person who has our "loaner" road bike has had it for almost a year now, without mentioning it.

[JennK13]

I've had my girlfriend's mtb since the summer. I borrowed it for a race I did in August. She doesn't ride it and said I could "keep" it for now It's a custom made Norco that she rode maybe a half dozen times (it's like 15 years old!) The shifter needed to be rebuilt, so I had that done, and it's going to need new tires as they're pretty dry. I appreciate using it and not having to buy another bike (i already have 3 and DH has 2); she won't sell it because she'll never get what she paid for it and is just happy someone is using it and that she still has it around should she ever want to ride it again. The fact I work at a bike shop and take really good care of my stuff helps
We also loaned a couple of our bikes to DH's boss's son and girlfriend when they came to visit....and the circle continues......

[smilingcat]

Not to be mean to Dave or to Cataboo. Poor Dave seems accident prone.

Please let us know when he gets a drivers license to drive a motorized vehicle and where he may be driving. Occasional bike accidents, I can sympathize deeply; but Dave is extremely unlucky, not maintaining situational awareness...

And my wholehearted sympathy to Cataboo for having to endure Dave's continued misadventure.

Please tell Dave that you can't win against a car, never drive beyond your headlights, do wear a pair of gloves and foremost WEAR A HELMET!! if he does not.

Wish you the best,

smilingcat

[Cataboo]

Poor Dave has a driver's license, but no car. Oddly enough, I've never offered to let him borrow one or any of the good bikes.

I will probably give him the spare front wheel, but will make him suffer riding his old huffy for a bit in the hopes that he stops crashing the other bike.

He's been wearing one of my helmets since August now. The 2nd or 3rd wreck taught him to wear gloves (despite me telling him).

And I've told him to stop riding with his headphones in, all in black, and without lights. I'm surprised he's not dead yet.