20 Bikes Repaired Free at Kennedy Heights with Lots of Helpers!

This was the 5th time since April we’ve been out to Kennedy Heights to do free bike repairs. Wheels’ volunteer mechanic Alan Crossley organizes our free bike repair events. He observed, “The need for repair at Kennedy Heights is great.  We got sweet thank yous from the kids and genuine thank yous from adults who really appreciate the fact that we keep coming back. The best thanks is witnessing the joy the kids express cruising around the community on their bikes!”

Wheels’ mechanics with youth helpers!

Volunteer Wheels’ mechanics Jamie and Richard

Ride the Drive - 82 Participants Get Free Bike Adjustments From Wheels for Winners During this Fantastic Event!

Wheels for Winners had a bike adjustment tent at McPike Park for Madison’s Ride the Drive on August 11. Eighty-two event participants got free adjustments for their bikes plus 1 Razor scooter. According to Wheels Mechanic Alan Crossley “There were lots of heartfelt thank yous and admiration for what our organization does.   A HUGE success.”  

The event was fantastic and the great weather made it more so! There were great free events at city parks all along the route including Edward Klief, Britingham, Olin, Law, R. Richard Wagner and McPike parks. Five major city streets were closed to automobile traffic so people could enjoy riding their bikes unimpeded.

Madison City Parks Department website describes the event…Ride the Drive began in 2009 as an event celebrating Madison’s commitment to healthy, active living. The event brings thousands of happy people together to experience parks and open streets in a single, one-day, free, community event.

Alan Crossley, Wheels volunteer mechanic

Paul Kleemann, Wheels volunteer mechanic

Lots of activity at the Wheels’ bike adjustment tent

Most Bikes Given Out in One Day at The Wheels' Shop!

An amazing afternoon as described by Alan Crossley, long-time Wheels volunteer mechanic.

OMG - At the end of June, one afternoon between 12:30-4:00, we gave out the most bikes ever during one shift - 30!  Miraculously, every one of the 30 people found a bike.  Only 4 refurbished adult bikes were left. (Our inventory of refurbished adult bikes has since been replenished by our hard working volunteer mechanics.)  Just an amazing day - and a reminder of why we all do what we love to do!  

We had volunteer, community service bike earners from:

• Northport Community Learning Center

• Sustain Dane

• Bayview

• LaFollette HS

• Sennet Middle School

• Boys and Girls Club

• Off the Square Club

Six earners from Northport Community Learning Center who arrived at the end of the shift and were fortunately all small riders so we still had plenty of bikes for them.   They were the sweetest and cutest riders of the day. 

We also had around 13 earners working through Sustain Dane; A family of 5 and a family of 4 that earned bikes; a volunteer from Bayview Community Center and a person who volunteers with the Lutheran Social Services Off the Square Club.  

Thanks so much to Wheels’ volunteers Alan, Jay, Paul, Jamie and Jonny!