Wheels for Winners

Bucky Books

2009-08-14T09:23:00.001-05:00

Buy a Bucky Book and give the proceeds to
Wheels for Winners! Just choose our name
when you buy online at www.buckybook.com

Holiday Hours

2008-12-23T14:02:00.000-06:00

Closed for holidays:
Dec 23, 2008-Jan 4, 2009
also maybe Jan 6th

Good Press

2008-12-03T10:47:00.001-06:00

A nice article in the Willy Street Reader

Open for Business

2008-05-23T10:02:00.001-05:00

Hey...we're open for business!

Shop hours are
M/W 12:30-4pm
T/TH 6-8pm
some Saturdays

Hours are regularly updated at http://my.calendars.net/wheelsforwinners

ALSO...we're having an open house!

Wednesday, June 4, 2008; 6-8pm
Food, drink, and tours of the new shop. Stop by!

Official Moving Days Information

2008-01-24T09:18:00.000-06:00

Following the tragic flooding of our shop on Pennsylvania Avenue, Wheels for Winners Earn-a-Bike Program has successfully signed a lease for an exciting new location. We would love all of our friends to come out and help us to spruce up the new digs and to help us move in. We have two work days set up for general mass volunteer help.

Saturday, February 2: WORK DAY! This will be the day for building/reconstructing racks, installing a shop sink, adding electrical outlets, etc. It would also be a fine day to start moving smaller items, such as parts bins, and office equipment. Especially need those who have expertise in plumbing, electrical work, or construction. We may also begin deconstruction of bike storage at old shop if we have enough volunteers.
Meet at the new shop at 10am at 229 S Fair Oaks Ave (At corner of Atwood and Fair Oaks in same building as the clothing shop. Our entrance is around back by the giant garage door.). We will go until 5pm or later depending on interest. Drop-ins welcome for however long you'd like to stay.

Saturday, February 9: MOVING DAY! This is when the bulk of the move will occur. We need all hands, all vehicles, and as many strong backs as we can muster.
Meet at the old shop at 10am at 2310 Pennsylvania Ave (Near Oscar Meyerâ€¦between 1st and 6th Street). We will go until 5pm or later depending on interest. Drop-ins welcome for however long you'd like to stay.

The wish list:
- Lumber: 2x4's and 2x6's for racks, framing lumber and subfloor
- Bike hooks
- Shop sink, faucet, and plumbing supplies
- Shop lights, 4-socket wall outlets, electrical wire and nuts
- The talents of a plumber
- The talents of an electrician
- Replacements for any office supplies that were damaged/destroyed.
- People with power tools and hand tools on Feb 2nd
- People with trucks, vans, and trailers on Feb 9th
- People willing to carry stuff on Feb 9th

If you have questions, drop us a line at wheelsforwinners@gmail.com (phone coverage will be spotty in the coming few weeks). Updates on volunteer needs and scheduling at http://www.wheelsforwinners.org/ and/or http://www.wheelsforwinners.blogspot.com/

Thanks in advance for your help and supportâ€¦the kids of Dane County appreciate it!
-The Wheels for Winners Board

Move Schedule and Wishlist

2008-01-17T16:23:00.000-06:00

Tentative Moving Schedule:

Tuesday, January 22: Sign lease and get keys

Between January 22 and February 2: Gather resources

Saturday, February 2: WORK DAY! This will be the day for building/reconstructing racks, installing a shop sink, adding electrical outlets, etc. It would also be a fine day to start moving smaller items, such as parts bins, and office equipment. Folks who have offered to help out can help this day, especially those who have expertise in plumbing, electrical work, etc. Begin deconstruction of bike storage at old shop.

February 3 – February 8: Board members and limited volunteers continue to move a load or two and continue deconstruction/construction.

Saturday, February 9: MOVING DAY! This is when the bulk of the move will occur. We need all hands, all vehicles, and as many strong backs as we can muster.

The wish list:

- Lumber: 2x4’s and 2x6’s for racks, framing lumber and subfloor if we decide to finish off the platform area over the bathroom.
- Bike hooks
- Shop sink, faucet, and plumbing supplies
- Shop lights, 4-socket wall outlets, electrical wire and nuts
- The talents of a plumber
- The talents of an electrician
- Replacements for any office supplies that were damaged/destroyed.

Shop Water Damage

2008-01-17T09:46:00.000-06:00

In early December 2007, a leak in the roof developed at the shop. Massive water damage resulted and generally unpleasant work conditions, so we have temporarily closed the shop and are seeking to relocate. We are close to signing a lease at a new location and should be making an announcement very soon. We hope to begin moving by January 19th and are committed to completing the move by February 15th.

We are seeking financial and volunteer assistance with the move. You can signup by emailing wheelsforwinners@gmail.com and you can mail contributions to our temporary forwarding address:
Wheels for Winners
c/o
1937 E. Dayton St.
Madison, WI 53704

Thanks to everyone who has already offered help and support. If you've given us your email and expressed an interest, we will be sending out an email soon to let you know about the moving plan. Wheels for Winners IS YOU! We are our volunteers.

Here's a news story that was featured on Channel 3 on the leak:
http://www.channel3000.com/news/15007997/detail.html

And photos:

Article in WSJ

2007-07-30T10:52:00.000-05:00

http://www.madison.com/archives/read.php?ref=/wsj/2007/07/27/0707270155.php

Kids, Bikes Benefit From Wrench-a-thon
Wisconsin State Journal :: DAYBREAK :: D1
Friday, July 27, 2007
Jill Klosterman jklosterman@madison.com 608-252-6180
CORRECTION: Correct phone number for Wheels for Winners\ A story on Page 1 of Friday's Daybreak section contained an incorrect phone number for Wheels for Winners, which is hosting its Wrench-a-Thon bike-building event this weekend. The correct phone number is 249-2418. (Published on 7/28/07)

Gear up for cycling and charity.

Saturday at noon, the Madison-based non-profit group Wheels for Winners will kick off its second-annual Wrench-a-thon.

For 24 hours, WFW will dismantle and rebuild bicycles for children in Dane County who have completed 15 hours of community service.

"It's a fantastic way to reward children for their hard work," said Ruth Ann Schoer, WFW founder.

The event is open to anyone willing to turn a wrench-no experience necessary-and authorized bike technicians will certify the safety of every refurbished bicycle on the lot.

"Everyone is welcome to come and amateurs will be shown how to tear down bikes and save the parts," said Charlotte Marshall, WFW office manager.

"We will salvage parts from unusable bikes, redo the bearings and add new parts as needed."

Now in its 15th year, Schoer said WFW continues to provide charity to Dane County's neediest children-most bike recipients represent Dane county's poor, disenfranchised and racial/ethnic minority populations.

"It began as a way to get bikes to kids who maybe would not otherwise be able to have a bike," said Kim Slava, WFW board president.

A social work project in the spring of 1992 inspired Schoer to develop a service that would reconcile the bicycle disparity between Madison's communities.

"I was working in a low income neighborhood and there was a problem with children stealing bikes," she recalled.

"I understood that every kid wanted a bike in the summer and that when it was turnover time for the university, students would just leave their bikes."

Schoer decided to "hook this together" by inviting the community to donate unused or abandoned bikes to the budding WFW organization.

"By the time I was done with that first day I had about 110 bikes and people wanted to know where to deliver them."

This weekend, donors and volunteers can deliver their services to WFW's location at 2310 Pennsylvania Avenue.

"I would like to stress that what (WFW) needs is bicycles for children-not adults-and volunteers," Schoer said.

Slava emphasized that the program isn't about hand-outs-children must earn their wheels under the supervision and consent of a parent.

"They have to do their 15 hours, and someone has to vouch for it," he said.

Safety is also paramount-WFW requires parents to arrange a City of Madison Bicycle Safety Training session for their child.

Once children earn their hours, they "get a lock and helmet, then the city provides a license for them," according to Marshall.

Since its creation, Slava said the organization has donated more than 1,500 bicycles, averaging above 100 per year.

"It promotes biking, keeps cars off the street, keeps kids fit, helps keep abandoned bikes out of landfills, and offers an incentive to help out at community centers," Slava said.

But while the group formed in response to a bicycle shortage, Marshall said the group now has a surplus of repaired bikes ready to be earned.

"This year we have quite a few bikes so we're trying to get the word out," she said.

Still, Marshall said the group has high expectations for 2007.

"We're hoping to give out 200, but we've given out 46 right now," she said.

Slava said volunteers repaired about two dozen bicycles at the 2006 the Wrench-a-thon and he expects a similar outcome this year.

"It's going to be a little different than last year because we're going to have live music," Slava said.

Wrench-a-thon 2007 will also feature grilling, games, prizes and bicycle races for kids.

"They said (WFW)would never last more than three years," Schoer said, "but I think it has absolutely been successful in reaching the kids in the neighborhoods who need it most."

\ If you go:

Location: 2310 Pennsylvania Avenue

Date & Time: Saturday, July 28 at noon through Sunday, July 29 at noon

Event type: Volunteer work (no skills necessary)

Event Details: fix bikes, strip bikes, race kids' bikes, play games with bike parts, learn about WFW Phone: 608-249-3418

Website: www.wheelsforwinners.org

Wrench-A-Thon 2007 Photos

2007-07-30T09:23:00.000-05:00

Charlotte's Birthday...

2007-05-31T09:56:00.000-05:00

Wed., May 30 was Charlotte's Birthday.

We had a wonderful carrot cake and lemon squares.

- Kim

Wrench-a-Thon

2007-05-17T10:43:00.000-05:00

Second Annual WRENCH-A-THON
July 28 - 29
24 Hours - Saturday noon to Sunday noon
Free Food and Beverages!
Live Music!
Come turn a wrench or give moral support.
More bikes for kids!
Co-Sponsered by CSW (Community Shares of Wisconsin)

All bikes removed from Ironworks

2007-03-25T08:31:00.000-05:00

Fred, Julie and I showed up 8 a.m. Saturday morning and moved the last two trailerloads of bikes from the Ironworks to the shop. That's a relief. The Mon/Wed folks will probably take a trailer load or two to recycling.

Thanks Julie and Fred.

Sat., March 10th at the W4W shop

2007-03-11T11:19:00.000-05:00

Fred Appleton and I showed up at 9 a.m. on Saturday, hooked up the trailer and made another run to the Ironworks. Consequently the bikes are starting to come out of the woodwork there at the W4W shop. We've got well over a 100 bikes ready to roll! We likely need to ramp up on some outreach to community organizations.

I also cc'd or bcc'd some of you in regards to the fellow from Dane Co. Transitional School (?) coming by on Monday, Mar. 19th to drop off some bikes they refurbed and take a look at our repair shop. So that will be another 10 bikes either ready or near-ready to go.

Ryan Scheurman (sp?) showed up towards the end of the day...he would like to start volunteering on Saturdays, which'd be a great thing. If anyone can followup with him that'd be great...I made sure he signed up his e-mail address on the roster there at the shop. He said he filled in a volunteer app some time ago, so that should already be on file.

Which brings me to my next topic. On short notice I've got to go to Austin to help my aunt. That means I will miss the board meeting on Wed., and my shop shift on Thursday (6-8). I contacted Mark & Micah Buffat who often come in on Tursday nights, gave Mark a shop key to let himself in if no-one is there to open the shop. Further, this coming Sat., Mar 17th is not covered as far as someone opening the shop.

That's it for now.

-Kim

Backyard Hero

2007-02-21T11:39:00.000-06:00

FYI: The board nominated Charolette for Community Shares backyard hero...but because she had already been honored by them, they couldn't honor her again. Instead, they will honor Walt Brinkman.

Thanks to both of then for all of their hard work for Wheels over the years.
-Dar

DCBA Grant & thanks to Sat. volunteers

2007-02-19T08:39:00.001-06:00

DCBA (Dane County Bicycle Association) has given Wheels for Winners a grant.
We'd all like to thank Jessica G. for attended the DCBA meeting.

I'd also like to thank Don Schantz, our steadfast 3rd Saturday fo the month volunteer.
As well as Richard Castelnuovo for his continual showing up to help and also opening the shop Sat., Feb. 10.

Thanks everybody.

Party....

2007-02-19T08:36:00.000-06:00

Charlotte has suggested reserving a shelter in some park and having a 'Party in the Park' as soon as the weather is warm enough to warrant.

There is a shelter in the park across from the W4W shop.

Charlotte and the Mon/Wed crew have been setting aside the proceeds from recycling for this purpose.

-Kim

Moved some bikes from Ironworks...

2007-02-19T08:27:00.000-06:00

Last Saturday, Feb. 17th, Mark Evans and I moved a load of bikes from the Ironworks to the W4W shop. 95% of these bikes were bikes that were refurbed by W4W some time ago and stored offsite. Hopefully the Mon and Wed afternoon folks can check these bikes over, pump up tires, etc.

There is a huge pile of scrap bikes outside the shop, thet need to be taken to the recycler.

Mark and I will hopefully make another run, moving bikes from Ironworks to the W4W, next Sat., Feb. 24th.

We could really use help hauling scrap bikes to recycler.

Good news is that we've got a bunch of bikes ready to hand out.

Would also be good to ramp up outreach to community organizations that would be receiving bikes in the future.

-Kim

Moving bikes...

2007-02-11T10:35:00.000-06:00

We've got to vacate our storage space at the Ironworks by sometime in March (I forget exactly when). I'm hoping that this coming weekend we can make a 'first pass' at moving some bikes from the Ironworks to the W4W shop. Anybody want to help? Contact me. Kim (doctorsax@charter.net) Thanks.

Saturday in the shop 1-6... Clearing out Everything!

2007-01-08T13:53:00.000-06:00

Another Saturday in the shop... another humorous session with Richard Castelnuovo... if anyone wants ot have a fun AND educational time... volunteer on Saturdays.

In light of our high inventory of repaired bikes PLUS a load of bikes (repaired and otherwise) at the IRONWORKS, AND the impending loss of that space for storage,I took it upon myself to REDUCE our stock of old, rusty, unuseable bikes at the Wheels shop. Since we have a new recycle guy -- who can take the bikes without needing them disassembled, we can now 'trailer' bikes whole. I went thru the pile just behind the repaired bike area, and also thru some of the hooks. Many bikes still have a 1-1-04 inventory tag on them... which means they have been hanging for over 3 years and not selected as a repair candidate.

Criteria I used for bike disposal/recycle:

AN adult bike in deplorable condition (appears to have been out in the rain for 2 years)
An adult bike in mediocre condition and having a name like: Huffy, Roadmaster, ACME, no-name
A kid bike missing parts
A kid bike in poor shape, rusty, repainted. dinged up
A kid bike that looks REALLY old (kids don't like OLD things). of course if it is a decent Schwinn, it's kept
A kid bike that we already have 20 of that kind (e.g. the 'barbie' bike)
I also culled thru the parts bins, taking out no-name rear derailleurs, drop forged crap brakes, and other junk. Despite all that, I only cleared maybe 25-30% of the stuff there. I also got a few collectible parts for the SWAP (3-speed hubs, Simplex Derailleurs, etc)

I basically cleared out the middle of the shop so you can walk back to the 'cage' (that metal structure against the wall.

Thinks I kept:

Decent youth bikes that appeared to be new in lat 2-3 years
Decent adult bikes with the intention of posting them for donation sales or SWAP
The key here is if they are being kept for sale/donation, we have to get on that, and price them to move (space... we need space!)

I also harverted some parts (reflectors, pedals, cable clips, etc)

As brutal as this is, I think it is CRUCIAL as we are running short of space and short of time when it comes to relocating the stored bikes

Organizing the SWAP volunteer shifts is a trick! We need volunteers!

Mark

Ironworks storage ends March 1, 2007

2006-12-14T11:31:00.000-06:00

W4W storage at the Ironworks has to be cleared out by March 1, 2007.

They will be starting demolition at that time.

It would be nice to find other nearby, accessible, cheap storage to replace that.

- Kim

Winter Projects: Gettin' the shop ship shaped

2006-12-04T11:17:00.000-06:00

Hey Wheelies

As mentioned in a BLOG-GO-Riffic entry by Kim, the shop has become a wild and crazy place with stuff all over. Heck, I worked on Tuesday night, took note of the influx of donations and what-not (what-not has got to be an official entry in Websters now), and then I came back on Saturday and there were piles more stuff -- inside and out. Moving about has become more like an obstacle course.

I set aside a couple old steel roadies (and that HUGE Schwinn... like Shaquille O'Neil huge) and posted them on Craigslist...to recycle them back into the biking community, get them off the hooks, and put a few bucks in the donation jar. Two takers for the frames already, and they paid more than the modest amount that I posted. There is a taker for the GARGANTUAN schwinn who is coming Tuesday. (I think this thing is like 67CM! 36" stand-over height)

A cool side effect of the posting and moving of these humble frames is... a new way of getting the word out and getting Volunteers. I post in a generic way, but if they reply to me, I reply with a brief description of the mission and purpose of W4W, including the web page. All reply saying how cool it is, that they were unaware of W4W, and about half want volunteer apps so they can get in the shop and help. Of course getting the app and getting them in the shop are two different things, but the ones that do come in are enthusiastic. One fella even looked at our hours, and figured when he could help (he'd come in during the day!) So I'm hoping this subliminal method of recruiting volunteers will bear fruit.

Shop Organzation Ideas:

Since it is Winter, and we have a large inventory of fixed, ready-to-go bikes, I think we should turn out shop tasks to making the shop more useable (vs. repairing bikes)

1. Reduce Stockpile of parts
We have a HUGE pile of crummy-ish saddles and seat posts, crapola Ashtabula cranks, and no-name derailleurs (and brakes, and on and on). I think we need to get realistic about how many we need to keep (I know... as soon as we pitch that 40 year old, ashtabula crank, here comes the bike that needs one... NOT!) There is precious little room left in the washbasin closet because the saddle crates are taking over.
I don't see why a couple workers can't go thru and be brutal about ditching a few crates. Saddles with tears, ugly, etc. Cranks that are cheapo pressed steel junk (w/o crank bolts, etc) Ditch 'em. We are getting so many bikes that are in great shape that we are seeing less need for a DEEP parts inventory. Nuts and bolts? Okay. Crappy no-name gear changers and cheesy brakes, cranks, saddles... away!

2. Tires
I think we used to pile the used, worn out tires outside the door, and they would be hauled to the street on garbage night. I have done this, only to see them hauled back in, now taking up space in an ever growing pile of 'gray matter' near the front of the shop. We have several crates of 20, 24, 26, 27" tubes, new, in their boxes. We have also received a great many tire donations, new, un used tires, of all sizes. I question the need to save worn out tires any more.

3. Wheels
We have gotten quite a tide of (mostly old steel) wheels in the back aisle (who is afraid to go back there anymore? Raise our hands). With the number of bikes arriving, we get additional useable wheels from bikes that are parted out. I don't see why we need to save the old steel wheels anymore (or at least as many). They can be recycled whole, and we can focus on saving alloy (aluminum) wheels for replacements (an upgrade)
Also on the Back Aisle: Perhaps we need to make some brutal assessments of those bikes back there... they've been there a while.

4. Bikes
I see a posting in Craigslist
Freewheel Kids Bike donation link
Where they want donations of kids bikes. Perhaps we should share the wealth and by doing this, opening up new avenuse of communications with Freewheel

5.Bikes
It's hard to come up with solid criteria for what is a repairable bike and what is junk, but maybe we need to.

6. Moving Bikes
I think we need to maybe move some stuff to ironworks (I think Kim covered this)

Okay... that's enough rambling for me. My quest for something else to do goes on. I'm working on my holiday wood-cut card. it might get done by the end of the holidaze.

More Bikes 'N Stuff...

2006-11-29T13:46:00.000-06:00

I hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving.

Charlotte just called me (Wed., 11/29) and said some Police Dept. just brought in some bikes and also some Bike Shop from Green Bay (!?) brought down a bunch of new bike parts and stuff. She went on to say that there was another contact of someone wanting to donate stuff. Yoicks!

As a consequence, the shop is, like, jam-packed. We need volunteers to convey stuff from the shop to storage at the Ironworks, etc., etc. Kinda the same old story.

Charlotte also said that there is a new volunteer who may be starting Thursday night.

Kim

Sweet 16

2006-11-16T15:46:00.000-06:00

Time to clean the shop, call the volunteers, load up the car and head to the SWAP! This is one of our biggest events of the year, so clear yer schedules for January13th, 2007.

The Brazen Dropouts have again, generously donated two tables to our cause. We need folks to help us price items, clean the shop for the Open House we usually hold right after the event. We also need assistance getting the parts to and from the swap and staff the table from 8am-4pm. PLEASE HELP US if you are available. Later y'all...

Saturday in the shop: Clearing out old road bike frames again

2006-10-30T09:41:00.000-06:00

Saturday 10-28

By 11Am the door was thrown open to let in the ever lower shafts of sunlight to warm the shop. I realize that this may be one of the last warm ones of the season, and with daylight savings or CST or whatever, the light for the night shifts is all but done now.

I spent most of my shift making hard decisions about the piles of junk and junk bikes and the lack of space for new (perhaps better, up-to-date) donations. I appropriated some of the hooks in the closet with the sink for potential SWAP meet classics (the Collegiate, the aforementioned 'Kensington' etc.), and also for some saleable adult frames (for our 'Fixed gear' brethren who swarm the streets in ever increasing numbers). I broke down 3 old adult steel road bikes that have been eating space, and on Saturday posted them on Craigslist as 'donation' frames (a Panasonic, Gitane, and a beat-to-heck Schwinn World). All are typical steel frame choices for singel/fixed riders. Already I have gotten a nibble on two of them... expect to see donations in the jar by midweek.

During the clear out of the sink closet, I rearranged some of the overflowing crates of parts to make passage easier. I also cleared out most of the dinged up steel wheel rims to the recylce trailer (we have enough aluminum wheel rimes of similar sizes; if we are going to replace a wheel, better to put a light weight rim on vs. the heavy steel).

From there I moved to the claustophobic back rows, pulling more stacked up and stashed steel rims, removed rotted rubber and piled them on the recycle trailer. I made some dent in the piles. Much work needs to be done here, and we can talk more about this at upcoming board meetings.

On Friday, after dropping off the Trek donations, Kim and I spied a wrecker backing up to take a wrecked car away from Bills Auto. I joked, "so are you here to haul the trailer of steel bike parts?" the driver replied, "sure, I can toss a bunch of those parts in the junker for you... make yer pile a little shorter." Kim and I looked at each other and said "Sure!" so the pile is a bit shorter now on the trailer.

The stalwart Richard Castelnuovo arrived around noon, riding one of his fixed up bikes to the shop. Richard is a great guy and a great mechanic, and he has the habit of picking out a bike that has potential, getting the crank in shape to ride, and then rides it home to work on during the week... then returns with it the following saturday. it is always a lively shift if Richard turns up.

Iliterally blew home on my bike that afternoon, buffeted by very strong NW winds.

Couple of old school bikes...

2006-10-30T08:54:00.000-06:00

Some guy dropped off two bikes:

1) Schwinn (Chicago) "Collegiate Sport 10", shorty chrome fenders, white on black paint. "Positron" drive train wherein the 'freewheel' is up front at the crank (pedal) instead of on the rear wheel. This means you can shift even while not pedaling...just as long as you're moving.

2) The sweetest Huffy I have ever seen...'Kensington'...really nice purple/brown paint, full matching fenders. I'm not much of a Huffy fan, but this is the nicest I have see. Mixte frame. The color of the tires matches the handlebar grips and seat.

Field trip to Trek in Waterloo, Fri., 10/27

2006-10-27T18:28:00.000-05:00

So, Marian, in the Warranty dept. of Trek, had five bike boxes of new parts, wheels and frames for kids bikes. We would have dilly-dallied around, but her boss said they had to be gone by Monday, so Mark and I drove out early Friday (10/27) afternoon and picked up the booty and conveyed it to the W4W shop (where it sits now).

Lots of nice folks out there. I e-mailed Marian a thank you note.

REI Gift Wrap...

2006-10-27T18:24:00.000-05:00

This is from Ambra Baldwin at REI:

We would like to invite you to participate in a winter fundraising effort for our local non-profit partners. During the week prior to Christmas, we would like to coordinate a gift wrapping schedule at our store for you to raise some money for your organization. We encourage you to bring personalized gift wrap from your organization, as customers often prefer that over generic gift wrap. For example, you can have kids stamp blank paper, purchase gift wrap that is 100% recycled, recycle old maps for gift wrap, etc. We will provide extra gift wrap, tape, and boxes if you provide the staff to wrap gifts for our customers. The more gifts you wrap, the more money you will raise.

Here is a tentative schedule. Please let me know if you would like to take any of these dates and times.

Saturday, December 16^th 11 AM to 1 PM and/or 1 PM to 3 PM and/or 3 PM to 5 PM

Sunday, December 17^th 11 AM to 1 PM and/or 1 PM to 3 PM and/or 3 PM to 5 PM

Monday, December 18^th 2 PM to 4 PM and/or 4 PM to 6 PM and/or 6 PM to 8 PM

Tuesday, December 19^th 2 PM to 4 PM and/or 4 PM to 6 PM and/or 6 PM to 8 PM

Wednesday, December 20^th 2 PM to 4 PM and/or 4 PM to 6 PM and/or 6 PM to 8 PM

Thursday, December 21^st 2 PM to 4 PM and/or 4 PM to 6 PM and/or 6 PM to 8 PM

Friday, December 22^nd 12 PM to 2 PM and/or 2 PM to 4 PM and/or 4 PM to 6 PM and/or 6 PM to 8 PM

Saturday, December 23^rd 9 AM to 11 AM and/or 11 AM to 1 PM and/or 1 PM to 3 PM and/or 3 PM to 5 PMand/or 5 PM to 7 PM

You are more than welcome to sign up for multiple time slots. I will send out a final schedule when I have heard back from everyone. The schedule will be posted online as well as in our clinic flyer so that members of your organization or those interested in your organization can come and support your fundraising effort. I encourage you to put your own personal spin on your session and get your organization excited about spreading holiday cheerJ

Please RSVP to me no later than November 15^th.

Help remind me to put this on the Agenda for next Month's Board Meeting, Nov. 8th (three days ahead of the deadline for the above).

Stuff list and Sat. volunteers

2006-10-27T08:19:00.000-05:00

Here's some stuff that Fred and Charlotte figured that we need at the shop:

Hardware type stuff:
- Hack Saw blades (2 or 3)
- Tire chalk (something to write sizes on tubes)
- File (like an 8" Mill Bastard)
- 5-1/2" or 6" vise
- We'd need four 3-1/2" bolts with nuts and washers for mounting the vise

Other stuff:
- Paper towels
- Tags, for tagging bikes (2-3/4" x 1-3/8" with string loops)
- Dish soap (not sure why...but Charlotte requested this)

Alsoooo....we'll be looking for Sat. volunteers for November. I assume we will be closed Thanksgiving weekend.

Saris Gala a Hit

2006-10-26T17:28:00.000-05:00

Thanks to Jessica for coming to the Saris/BFW Gala...there were over 600 people there and we raised $35,000 to fight for better bicycling in Wisconsin.

Oct 7th shop

2006-10-02T11:04:00.000-05:00

So...I've never actually opened the shop before. I might be willing to do this coming Sat (Oct 7th), but can someone give me the crash course? How do I give out a bike, for instance? What volunteers ought I to expect (names)? What hours (how long) do I need to be there?

Manuals and Multi-tools

2006-10-02T11:01:00.000-05:00

Repair manuals and multi-tools for the REI (and Cap Times?) kids should be arriving asap to the shop. Somebody let me know if/when they arrive (Fed Ex was having some trouble getting the stuff there)

October Saturdays...

2006-10-01T08:59:00.000-05:00

Oct. 14 - I (Kim) will open the shop
Oct. 21 - I assume Don S. will open
Oct. 28 - Mark E. will open

That leaves Oct. 7th...next Saturday hasn't been claimed yet....any takers?

W4W featured in RSVP Newsletter

2006-09-28T07:47:00.000-05:00

Wheels for Winners is featured in the most recent RSVP newsletter. We are on the back cover, and the article was continued inside. The newsletter is not yet online (I think you can click on the title of this blog entry to go to RSVP website), but I assume they will eventually post it there.

There is a picture of yours truly working with Clarey, and a picture of bikes and a W4W graphic on the inside.

Saturday, in the shop... definitely not the 4th of July

2006-09-25T09:20:00.000-05:00

Another nice Saturday in the Wheels Shop.

The Crew was the awesome father-son combo of Jay and Erick, plus the old timer, yours truly, Mark E. (gee... I think I'm coming up on my first anniversary in the joint!)

Here we are perusing the acres of bikes (kidding)

Weather was pleasant enough to raise the garage door. No crowds around the stadium to battle on my way in... and I brough a few carrot muffins we made... hope they aren't drawing flies on Charlotte's desktop!.

Erick, who is part of the Mentor program, is a cracker-jack mechanic. He has a sharp eye, and did a great job on the bike that I saw him working on. There were a few odd-ball issues (like a bent brake arm and non-original bearings, front and back, that weren't quite the right size to start with), and he tweaked them out just fine. He even figured out out how to tighten bearing sets while the wheel was Still mounted on the bike (hats off to Chuck Strawser for that trick!). I won't be surprised if he shows up in the back of Budget bike's repair shop someday.

Jay was hard at work, cleaning up some of the crate mess in one of the closets. He carved out a path to walk, and then sorted the helmets into sizes. Organization is key to keeping things under control.

Since our inventory is up (thanks in large part to the retrieval of some nice looking bikes from the barn in Marshall), organizing and breaking down bikes is a logical task. We broke down some of the rusty, gas-pipe road bikes that are accumulating in the racks. Jay is really a bull dog when it comes to getting the aluminum apart from the steel (going at it with hacksaws and everything). The trailer is ready to go with what looks like a well sorted mess-o-steel. We also have a large pile of trash tires. Is it Tuesday that is garbage night??

No bike earners this saturday. The season is definitely turning. On tuesday, I'll definietly need a headlight heading home.

Repaired Bikes Retrieved from Marshall!!

2006-09-16T12:38:00.000-05:00

Sat., 9/16, 8 a.m. - Fred and Mark and I rendezvoused at W4W repair shop, emptied the trailer of scrap, hitched it up, drove to Marshall, WI, and retrieved 30 'repaired' bikes.

Half the bikes were taken to W4W where Mark and Don started cleaning them up and checking them over. 17 of the bikes were taken to to storage at the Ironworks.

So...if kids are looking for bikes, we should have 'em!

Ryan, a new volunteer showed up around 11 a.m.

So...Thanks to Fred and Mark and Don and Ryan. This has been hanging over our heads for many moons

Thanks too to Vance McCaw for storing the bikes for lo these many months. Bet he won't do that again soon.

A Note In Regard To Storage at Ironworks -

I talked to a woman named Megan. There is going to be some sort of art installation at the Ironworks and they want to use our space there. They are willing to move our bikes to a different, less-accessible area of the Ironworks from October 6th through October 29th. The bikes wouldn't be totally inaccessible, just harder to get to.
I don't see a problem with it...how about anyone else? Megan's ph. number is 852-3280, email is makatz@wisc.edu.
The bikes are kinda sorted out. If anybody wants to see the bikes and the space, contact me and we can go over and maybe tag the bikes to keep the groups cohesive.

UPWARD AND ONWARD!

- Kim

Richard opening this Sat., Sept. 9th

2006-09-08T13:29:00.000-05:00

I forgot to give a public 'Thank You' to Richard Castelnuovo for opening the W4W shop this Sat. , 9/9. Hooray!

I assume Don Schantz will open the third Sat. of the month, 9/16.

I will open Sept. 30.

Can anyone open the shop Sept. 23rd?

Thurs., Sept. 7 at the Shop...

2006-09-08T10:22:00.000-05:00

The mosquitoes were fierce in the shop! What's up with that? I wanted to light the citronella candles that Dar left, but no-one had any matches. These bikers are such health-nuts.

Jay Fruehling and Richard Castelnuovo and I were in attendance. Jay is now a keyholder to the shop.

Jay suggested that if anyone wants to tag bikes to be stripped, it would help him and others.

- Kim

Tuesday Night: Moving into Maintenance Mode

2006-09-06T09:01:00.000-05:00

Tuesday night in the shop... alas, Jay decided to take the week off... so i was running solo.

We're seeing lots of donations, but most of them are larger, adult bikes -- some marginal, some useable. We'll have to make decision about them (if we can afford to store them), or move 'em on out! We just are short of "peg space" to hang stuff like that (I need to ditch that old Dunnelt over the truing stand... a cool bike but just a wee bit too beat up).

I spent my shift going thru the PILES, looking for junk bikes and moved them to the JUNK/RECYCLE pile outside (small, totally beat single speed/bmx/barbie bikes with pretzelled wheels, lots of rust, rusty chains... OR just unattractive, larger rusty bikes). I was alone in the shop last night, but the next time there is a crew of us, I will take on the back 'aisle' and clear out what looks like a lot of ignored inventory, stray rims, and other junk that is back there because... it might be not worth repairing (perhaps that is why they have been hanging back there for years?) . PLUS, if we do have decent inventory elsewhere (Ironworks, Marshall) that may be in better shape, we could shift those bikes into spots cleared in the back row.

Made some room in front of the 'pet cage' pile to park potential projects. We are sorely short of repaired, medium sized bikes, so I extracted a couple geared bikes in that size and set them out for the day shift to take on. Had to turn away a young Earner last week because there was not a bike in her size (dats a tough thing to do!). I set up a ladder in front of the 'cage' to clear off BMX bikes from that stack... but it was just scary doing it without help. Maybe next time. Also, we are getting bins of misc unuseable parts, extracted from torn down bikes. Will need to figure out a trash container that the city will accept and get this stuff out of the shop. It's getting dang hard to move around some of the rooms!

It's a lovely time, early autumn... the shop is a fun place to be, in all of its dishevelled glory, with the garage door up and cool air filtering in. The 'skeeters are back for a second round, and they nailed me here and there... but not bad enough to shut the place up. I test rode a few bikes for worthiness prior to classification, and tooled over to the next lot where I could see the pink sunset sky. Something meloncholy and uplifting about this time of year.

The ride home was breezy, but night is falling earlier now. Rolling thru the darkness is made slightly easier by the work of BFW, the city, and other civic groups... as I am able to stay on paved paths for over HALF of my ride home (the Park St connector path is da BOMB!) My double-barrelled head light showed the way. Phantom, unlit riders approached, and I was glad to have illumination. Riding at night without lighting and without helmets? Some riders are just plain Stupid. I raced a couple rabbits in the dark along the SW path. Inhaled a few insects (pure protein!)

Life is good.

My answers

2006-08-24T18:36:00.000-05:00

If we are considering moving...we should investigate the space that Centro Hispano has. They bought a building and have lots of space to rent (like 5,000 sq feet). The building is on Park Street. It could be a long term home. I will follow up on that.

Anyone know what our current square footage at the shop is?

Miscellaneous stuff from Wed., Aug. 23

2006-08-24T11:44:00.000-05:00

I dropped by the shop Wed., Aug. 23. Fred, Walt, Charlotte and Erick Fruehling (Cap Time 'Mentee' ) were there. Everyone in fine fettle.

- Charlotte showed me the lease renewal notification.
* Current lease ends Nov. 1, 2006...current rent is $636
* If we sign for a new 1-yr lease, there is a 6% increase to $675/mo.
* If we sign for a new 2-yr lease, there is a 3% increase to $655/mo.
Charlotte thought the old Salvation Army/Goodwill drop-off site on University would be a good place to move to, but the 'For Lease' sign disappeared.

- Fred wondered if someone wants to share going to CSW (Community Shares) meetings. He currently is meeting our commitment of attending 30 hours/year of meetings. We receive some $1500/year from CSW/CHIP.

- Last person to use the trailer did not put the key back in the correct spot. It should go in the cash box...not the upper righthand drawer of the desk

- Charlotte was wondering if anyone has a copy of the Channel 15 feature spot on W4W. She wishes she could see it. Anybody know if we can obtain it from Channel 15

- Fred volunteered to go along to pick up the stored, repaired bikes some Thurs. or Tues. It'd require a follow-up to Chuck McFarland's friend.

That's it for now.

Kim

Final pickup from REI

2006-08-22T10:57:00.000-05:00

Hey -

Sunday I picked up the last two used bikes and a box of newish parts from REI.
That's all as far as picking stuff up from them.

Next up...getting the repaired bikes from Chuck McFarland's friend.

Kim

Media

2006-08-15T07:13:00.000-05:00

I did my 3 minutes on NBC15 this morning at 6:40am...hope someone got to see it.

Wrenching photos

2006-07-23T19:08:00.000-05:00

Here are a few digi pics from Wildly Successful 24 hours of Wrenching at W4w
I stoppd by three times and it was a blast. I must say that after 6.5 hours of standing and scooting around on Saturday am, I was beat. I cannot imagine how Jessica, Gail, and who ever else was around during the 'night owl' shift made out the next day.
At left: Jessica wrenching at 5:30AM (beautiful light, eh?)

For some reason when I put these pics up, they will not go in chronological order (is anything logical with computers?)
So these pics are actually backward -- starting with Saturday am then Friday at noon.
I'm mad cause the above picture was fuzzy cause I
had it on the wrong setting.(arggh! I was getting fuzzy too)
Left to right: Director Julie, the Powell's (Dan, and his dad to the left
I can't remember his name, but he has worked at
Earn-a-Bike orgs in Cleveland and Detroit, and he thought our
shop was the best), Paul, and Arthur.

Left: Arthur finishing up a Pacific bike and Julie scooting around
Right: The Powell's came late in the morning but did a great job of tearing down.

Below: Tom Barry finds the part!
Right: Tim S. tunes up a headset.
below: One volunteer took avantage of the break room to nap.

A catchy sign brought in the masses.
Good sport Tom Barry assists Ace mechanic Arther with a 16mm box end wrench.

I have a few more pics. I hope someone out there took some of the overnight shift... I heard it was wonderfully wild.

Mark

Tuesday NIght, 7-18 in the Shop

2006-07-19T10:26:00.000-05:00

Tuesday night in the shop:

Not quite as hot as an oven in the shop. Opening the garage door really helps to make it pleasant.
Focused on making space with an eye for this weekend's big Wrench-o-Rama.

I reorganized the rows of fixed bikes, condensed them, inserted bikes into the open slots on the racks.
I managed to create a space just inside the garage door where we could possibly put a fourth work stand. I moved the moveable (on wheels) workstand into that area to see how much elbow room there would be. It's not so bad. A couple 'Wrenchers' have said they might bring their own tools, so this could work. Light over there is so so... if anyone has any portable light stands (hooked trouble lights, bright work/painting lights on stands, etc) bring them in. I have a couple heavy duty extension cords (20' and maybe 50' in length) that I'll bring.

A fellow named Jay Freehling (sp?) arrived just after 6PM. He had stopped in on Saturday, filled out a volunteer form, and came back. I told him we usually grind volunteers thru an FBI database, but we would make an exception in his case (turn away a live volunteer? are you kidding?) He mentioned he has a 15-year old son who he wants to get involved too... I whole heartedly endorsed it. I offered to have him repair or tear down. We decided in the spirit of making room and therapy, We'd tear down. Between us we tore down about 6 bikes. I took some out of the pile (so we could get thru the shop) and one or two off the hooks. Somehow it didn't look any less cluttered. We did our best with an eye towards recycling (magnets don't stick to aluminum!)

We need to solidify the trash/recycle thing.
Does Charlotte have any idea what the procedure is?

A spry fella in his 80's dropped off two bikes. '77 Sekai Road bikes, matching men's and women's, with owner's manuals, Yellow Jersey docs, and a catalog (sheesh). Cool old bikes but Useless for the earn-a-biker crowd -- and not really super collectible. With the board's approval, I sent a note to the west side fellow who hauled away some old frames saturday for a donation. They are taking up space so the sooner we move them out the better.

An idea that germinated in my brain (dangerous!):

if you are in the shop in the next couple days, identify some clean looking bikes with POTENTIAL and make some sort of tag on them. Make these priority bikes for WRENCHERS. Start with cleaner, complete bikes (vs. scratchy frames that are missing wheels or parts). Increases success rates and numbers of complete bikes. Perhaps I'll call the shop today and suggest Fred, Walt, and or Charlotte ID a few bikes this way. Thursday night staff could do the same. I'll drop by Thursday for a few minutes as well.

okay... I've rambled

Mark

Wrench-A-Thon signage

2006-07-17T22:28:00.000-05:00

I'm getting a 'sandwich' type sign together with some miscellaneous wood in the garage (my garage). These signs will go on either side (approx. 42" x 24" each). The paint was not quite dry, hence the shining or flashing in the pics. It's flat black paint.

I think if we place it at the end of the driveway, or maybe in the median (altho that may be unlawful) they can be seen from either direction.

Here's the kicker: I'm having a blast doing them with some tempera paint (pray for dry weather), and remembering that my dad did lots of freelance sign painting when I was a kid. If you have some produce that is on sale, I'll make a sign for you! He worked in this the upstairs of this industrial building in my home town, working with a huge fella named Pedro Krause. I used to go up there and mess around with media on Sunday afternoons while he did the sign work.

I hope they pass muster.

Sat., July 15th...

2006-07-15T13:25:00.000-05:00

Don Schantz opened the shop today, Sat., , just as he has done every third Saturday of the month for as long as I can remember. By 11 a.m. the shop was getting hot as an oven.

I stopped by while running errands and because I had accidently pocketed a wrench from the shop that I needed to return.

The guy from the West side that Mark has been talking to showed up, he took one or two old ten speeds, a Raleigh Grand Prix and maybe something else. I think he was going to leave a contribution but I left before he did.

Another fella came in with his son (East High School student). The dad brought in a completed volunteer form and is intending on coming in Tues +/or Thurs +/or Sat. The son will try to decide if he wants to do the Cap Times mentor program. His dad sure thought it was a good idea, but his son was doing a teen-age boy thing and not saying much.

I gave a couple bikes out on Thursday, 7/13.

On Wed., 7/12 Walt bought and applied some hornet poison to get rid of some wasps that had decided the trailer outside the shop would be a good place to nest.

That's it.

Thurs., 7/6...

2006-07-07T09:23:00.000-05:00

It was Richard Castelnuovo and me last night.

Re: Saturdays - Mark did July 1; I will come in this Sat., 7/8; Don is scheduled for July 15; Repair-a-thon is July 21-22; Richard (back from Italy) will open July 29.

We still have the tandem and a few other bikes and some more parts at REI. I e-mailed Ambra and will try to get back there ASAP.

Chuck Strawser assessed the REI bikes stored at the Ironworks, Sigrun came along too. Chuck sold one of the old road bikes to a friend for $100 (I think). We need to probably move bikes from the W4W shop to the Ironworks. The trailer needs to get emptied to accomplish this.

Richard remarked on the fact that a lot of the W4W volunteers don't know about the Repair-A-Thon. He didn't.

The dumpster is no longer in the parking lot...I don't think it ever got emptied anyway. We need to figure out the trash pickup and get trash out on the curb on a more regular basis.

Etc., etc.

Bits and bites and upcoming nights

2006-07-05T12:03:00.000-05:00

Just a few updates and reminders:

A fellow who dropped off some donated stuff (tires/tubes/a bike), and who works for TREK gave me his work e-mail and stated that if I sent him a note about volunteer ops (plus the Wrench-O-Rama), he'd post the info on the local TREK biz board. Perhaps we'll get some folks straggling in from that for the reg shifts of or the massive wheel bearing 're-packing' on Jully 21.

I will try to figure out when I can post myself for the Wrench-o-Rama (time wise). Perhaps board members should queue for shifts, or 'approximate' shift times:

7-21

12 to 4Pm
4-8m pm
8-midnight

7-22
midnight til? (the 'Crazeology' shift... ".. and not to reappear on this show for at least 7 years.")
6am til ? (the EVP Coffee shift)
I might be convinced to do an early morning stint -- 6am until 10 or noon Saturday.

Perhaps we should clear out the stack-o-bikes -- just north of the completed bikes, so we have extra inside areas to set up repair stands. Otherwise, we'd need some portable mega-lights and extension cords to set up 'al fresco' repair areas in the lot.

My Schedule:

I am entering survival mode for this weekends change of marital status. I am basically off from now until Tuesday July 18th

Charles Gervasi is slated to start coming in on July 11th. We'll need someone there to open and put on that unbeatable fresh W4W smiling face. Heck, we should start thinking in terms of Wheels for Winners water bottles and pens and such to give to new volunteers and perks.

Speaking of which... I have not gotten around to talking to High Impact about the sign.
Expect me to be back on the planet after next week.

Checking In

2006-06-28T17:25:00.000-05:00

So...I'm getting to my Wheels for Winners to do pile and I've lost track of where we stand with some things:
1. REI Adopt a class...do we have a firm prospect besides Colleen Hayes? Am I supposed to be doing anything about this or are we going to assume that we won't be able to follow up with this until fall?
2. Cap Times mentor program...how are we for participants? Should I still be contacting MSCR to see if they can send us anyone?
3. Second round of REI bikes...when and who is going to get them? Do I need to help?
4. WORT interview...date?,time?, location? do I need to follow up with anyone?
5. Are we going to create a supervisory volunteer schedule for Wrench-a-thon? I can commit to the better part of the day on July 21st (noon to midnight?plus possible the WORT interview in the morning)...but would rather not have to be there on the 22nd
6. What's the status with the mystery Chuck McFarland 30 bikes...we really should get those soon.
7. What is your quest? What...is your favorite color?

Tuesday Night in the Shop: Phil, calls, and old bikes

2006-06-28T08:15:00.000-05:00

it was a snoozer in the shop this week...

I did clear a lot of voice mail, and called back and talked to a lot of answering machines. We are a popular organization. It seems that everyone has 40-50 kids who have earned their hours and are ready to collect a bike. OY! Let's hope some of them like 22.5" mixte Peugeot Women's road bikes (ha ha just kidding!). The 24 hour Wrench-a-Thon comes along at just the right time. Perhaps we need to diversify... create a West-Side Wheel's Branch? You know... with an esspresso bar, New York Times, therapist, and nail salon? (har har)

And where are those mysterious 30 bikes anyway?

A fella named Phil, a trek employee who used to 'wrench' for Wheels, stopped in with a real nice trick bike, a passel of 27" tires, and a box of tubes to donate. Had a nice chat about Trek, Wheels, and how he used to work with a bunch of High School kids that were associated with some mountain biking club at their school. I wish I knew what school he was talking about; HS kids in the summer would be a great resource during the summer weather. He gave me his card (at TREK) and told me to write him there. He would then put a post on the TREK board (at the TREK plant) to see if any TREK employees would want to 'wrench' volunteer for us in the shop. I'll ask him about the HS connection as well.

There are two doozy classics in the rack out back. One is a Roadmaster Skyrider balloon tire bike with a huge basket. A bit faded. The other is a nifty Dunelt 3-speed (British made... must be early 60's). They've both seen better days, but might be salvageable? Do we hang them on the ceiling for Swap material? They aren't as 'ready to go' as some of the swap gems. There is a fella on the west side that fixes up old 3-speeds and cruisers. One idea I had was to contact him and find out if he had any newer fixed up kids bikes and swap these 'projects' for kids bikes; then we inspect the kids bike, and send them out the door.

of course, we could just recycle

see how my mind works? and I have to live with it everyday

Saturday Coverage

2006-06-28T08:13:00.000-05:00

I forgot to pen my name in on the calendar last night

I will open Saturday, 7-1
My schedule coming up in the next couple weeks is going to be really packed, so I'll take this one.

If I get a chance, I'll unlock the door today and pen my name in

More bikes from REI...

2006-06-28T07:26:00.000-05:00

My son and I went to REI yesterday afternoon (6/27). By taking off the pedals and turning the handlebars sideways we were able to get 9 bikes in my truck. I transported them to the Ironworks.
There are seven bikes left at REI, including a tandem.
Tonight, Chuck Strawser and I are scheduled to go to the Ironworks and 'assess' the bikes.
-Kim

Thurs., 6/22 and Sat., 6/23 at the W4W shop...

2006-06-24T16:40:00.000-05:00

Thursday night Sean dropped by. His wife's bike, which she earned from Wheels needed some new cable housing for the rear shifter which I gladly took care of. Later, Mark and Micah dropped by as well. Micah rebuilt a bike a while ago and enjoyed the process so much that he came back to refurb another one.

Sat., 6/24, Julie opened the shop. I got there later and after a while she took off to do her gardener thing. After she left Richard showed up. He finished refurbing (at his house) a 'Specialized' BMX bike that is really sweet. He rode it in to the shop. He selected another bike, fixed it up enough to be streetworthy and rode that back home to finish repairing.

There was a voice mail from Jacquelyn from Prairie Crossing Apts. at Allied Drive. She is some sort of Activities Director. They are having some sort of event Thurs., June 29/30 and wondered if W4W could donate some bikes. While this is most certainly a worthwhile event, I was thinking it would be best to hang on to the bikes we have to give out for our regular Earn-A-Bike program. If anyone has a different take on this and would like to call Jacquelyn, her numbers are 279-7747 or 225-2478. Julie tried calling her back but was only able to leave voice mail.

-kim

The REI Bikes

2006-06-20T19:33:00.000-05:00

Chuck Strawser has offered to go with me over to the Ironworks and give me an idea of what the resale value of the assorted bikes that we won't likely refurbish is...in exchange for first dibs on purchase rights. Is there any restrictions on access to the site other than just when someone is around? Anyone got a problem with this idea?

Same goes for what is left at REI when we manage to go grab it...in particular a good estimate on the tandem would be nice.

Also related to Chuck Strawser...ironically...he's trying to get rid of some of the bike stuff that he has collected...especially trash picked bikes. He probabaly has ten or so finished adult bikes in various styles and sizes if anyone is in a buying mood (he charges very good rates...when he's not giving stuff away for free)...as well as a kids bmx that he said he'd donate to Wheels.

If anyone wants to hook up with Chuck to look at his inventory...his email is chuck@bfw.org

Mon., June 19th at the W4W Shop

2006-06-20T08:56:00.000-05:00

Charlotte is gone for two weeks on her Alaska cruise. Sigrun has, conversely, come in from Alaska and is filling in for Charlotte.

A new volunteer looks to be starting on Mon's and Wed's...her short name sounds like "Yim" to my provincial midwestern ear. She is newly arrived from Vietnam and is learning English.

Fred Appleton will be doing a short presentation for Amy Martin at Glendale School this week.

My daughter, Scout, worked with Molly for a while and I think they had a pretty good time.

Kim

Repair a Thon

2006-06-19T12:59:00.000-05:00

I've received three interested emails about the repair-a-thon from people I don't even know...and a couple from friends of mine too. I think it's gonna be good.

Picked up first load used bikes from REI...

2006-06-19T08:31:00.000-05:00

Dar; Kim's son, Nile; and Kim took two vehicles and the trailer over to REI on Friday afternoon (6/16/06) and got a load of some 40 bikes and transported them to the Ironworks where they are now stowed.
There is quite a variety of bikes in varying conditions.
Once we get the remainder of the bikes from REI, we can start sorting bikes between W4W bike repair shop and Ironworks.

Mark's Schedule upcoming

2006-06-14T12:22:00.000-05:00

Thought I'd just post a post regarding my schedule in coming weeks:

I am leaving for Bike Northwoods early Saturday AM (LaCrosse to Sheboygan)

Saturday 6-17 to Sunday 6-25

Between when I get back until 7-10 I will be available but consumed with planning nuptials.
I'll be able to cover my usual Tuesday shift, but not sure of any Saturdays -- tho I might want to come in as it would be a good stress reliever (har har). Maybe one of the several new volunteers I've exchanged communiques with will step up.

I will also be out of town the second week of August, but more on that later

See everyone at the Board Meeting tonight

Extra hours handing out bikes...

2006-06-14T09:22:00.000-05:00

Girl Neighborhood Power, part of Atwood Community Ctr, wants to bring by some girls to pick up bikes possibly starting next week, at the 3:30 - 6 time frame on Tues. and Thurs.
Possible dates are 6/20, 6/22, 6/27 & 6/29.
These'll be groups of around 6 girls.
Let me know if anyone is available to help.
I can't schedule these dates until I find folks to accomodate.

Thanks, Kim

Thanks to Patrick for Bike Repair Stand

2006-06-14T09:20:00.000-05:00

Not sure where he got it, but Patrick Pecher donated a superpluscool bike repair stand.
it's got wheels, adjustable height, and, if memory serves, it may even be Italian made.

REI Bike Fest - Grant received

2006-06-14T08:45:00.000-05:00

REI Bike Fest was a most excellent affair.
While it was so windy that everything not nailed down went flying, all else was great.
W4W received a $5,000 grant from REI. We also received 40 or more donated bikes and a bunch of new bike parts.
Gail, Dar and Kim were there 11 - 3, talking to folks and handing out flyers.
Swing by the W4W shop and see the jumbo-sized presentation check.

Hooray!

REI - Bike Fest & Grant

2006-06-09T08:33:00.000-05:00

REI's Bike Fest is Sat., June 10th, 11 - 3.
W4W is REI's non-profit of the month. Kim and Gail will be there and anyone is welcome to come and support W4W and REI.

REI will be making a presentation to W4W at 2 p.m. - We will be receiving the used bikes from the month-long REI bike drive; we will be receiving a 'bunch' of brand new bike components - wheels and stuff - .... and .... REI will be making a grant presentation to W4W!

Come on out and join us!

http://www.rei.com/stores/store_event_detail.jsp?pid=8FB0F159A46DAA244265B6EDF784B38E&template_id=14&template_family=webDetail&ignore_cache=1

Other Space Thoughts

2006-06-06T09:32:00.000-05:00

Just another comment on space...over the next six months or so I am going to be meeting with a number of potential funders and foundations to feel them out about a capital campaign for Bicycle Federation in 2008. My first ask is for endowment money...but if funders seem more interested in helping BFW buy a building...I might go that way. If that was the case...I would certainly also feel them out about their interest in space where BFW and Wheels could co-locate.

Anyway...it is a far away pipe dream...but I have it in the back of my mind.

24 hour repair event

2006-06-06T09:25:00.000-05:00

Looking at the to-do list for June (posted at http://my.calendars.net/wheelsforwinners):

1. Repair x number of bikes2. Someone should look into what is up with the Vera Court shed3. Make sure we have enough kids for mentor program4. Decide on 24 hr bike repair event date (and if to do at all)5. Board reports on task progress at meeting

Which got me thinking about the 24 hour bike repair event. Given that we might be running out of repaired bikes soon...and we could use some promotion to potential volunteer mechanics...this idea is looking better and better to me. I think that we ought to pick a date in July and go for it. Let's do that at the meeting next week. What do people think about July12th (when our July board meeting is scheduled)...starting at 5 or 6pm on the 12th and going through, say 6am the next morning??? Or 6pm the next day??? Or should it be on a weekend instead?

Incidentally...I could probably bring an extra stand and set of tools to such and event and I bet I could get Chuck Strawser to do the same. I might even be able to get a band to play in the Wheels parking lot during the event if people have an interest in that.

Future Space

2006-06-03T18:54:00.000-05:00

I noticed that there is some "storage space" for rent on Winnebago St...I think the address is 1200-something...near 4th street...a large brick building with a garaged door. Nice location, nice building. I took down the info and will call for cost and availability. I called today, but no one answered.

I see alot of warehouse space sitting vacant around the east side. I've got no grand desire to move...but I know that a more accessible location is on the long term wish list...

Saturday coverage for W4W Shop...

2006-06-02T09:55:00.000-05:00

Here's the Sat. schedule for June 2006:

June 3 - Mark E.
June 10 - Kim S.
June 17 - Don S.
June 24 - Julie S.

My dilemma is that I am signed up for June 10, but I want to help represent W4W at the REI Bike Fest June 10th.

Can someone do one of the following?:

- Swap Sat.'s with me
- Open the shop June 10
- Go to REI Bike Fest June 10th

Please let me know. If no response here I might send out e-mail.

- Kim

Atwood Comm Ctr - 47 Girls want bikes?

2006-06-01T09:28:00.000-05:00

I have been exchanging e-mail with Sarana at Atwood Community Ctr - Girl's Group.

I think she is saying that she has 47 girls who'd like to get bikes. I will try to get more details and work with her. If you want, you can look at our e-mail exchanges on the Wheels e-mail account.

Kim

Another breezy Tuesday in the Shop

2006-05-31T14:38:00.000-05:00

It rained lightly as I biked in after work... but not hard enough to dampen any spirits.

The Shop is looking pretty crowded with lots of bike donations and bikes needing inspection. Looks like we will need to shift some bikes to the Atwood storage facility.

I got a couple calls from bike donors, and then a call from Paul, a contact at Bayview, who was bringing some Earn a Bike folks. Sure enough, they came about 20 minutes later, and then the circus was on! There were 5 earrners, plus forms that entitled a couple much younger kids to a bike. Phew! Just prior to their arrival, Sean J. called, indicating that he had a Bike Earner to bring in as well, and he'd pitch in with processing the other group. (Thanks and a tip of the hat to him!) Between the two of us, we got the papers filled out and helmets fitted. Plus I managed to almost put the finishing touch on a small bike I have been refurbishing.

I had a couple thoughts:
I spent some time looking for kickstands for two of the Earn-a-Bike bikes (not sure why they did not have stands already). Sean produced a box with NEW black stands -- the more appropriate for that vintage bike. I had spent some minutes pawing thru a crate of REALLY OLD kickstands. Got me thinking: Maybe we need to go thru some of the crates of stuff and decide if we need to keep it all. Some of the 'stands' for example, look like they came off bikes that were 20-30 years old. None fit the new bikes. It's getting touch to walk thru that middle room anymore. So an assessment of 'stock' parts is in order to make space.

Maybe a group of us should make spot decisions about which bikes have NO potential for restoration (especially ones hanging on hooks). I hate to ditch donations, but we need space.

Bike Bike

2006-05-27T10:59:00.000-05:00

I only stayed for the first day of the conference, but Bike Bike seemed to be going well. I gave a presentation on Safe Routes to School...but all people wanted to know about was how we run Wheels for Winners.

There was a fellow there...I think from Bickas in Arizona...and he was saying that they run 8 week mechanics classes that they charge $80 for...all ages. I think each session was 2 hours long and had two instuctors. During the 8 weeks each participant rebuilds a bike for their Earn a Bike program....and at the end of the class they can pick a bike to rebuild for themselves. It was an interesting idea for future ways to generate income.

There were about 80 attendees at the conference.

Monona Garage Sale - Part II

2006-05-22T10:23:00.000-05:00

We all owe Sean a hearty "Thank You!"

Through Sean's efforts, Wheels for Winners made $243 and got rid of stuff.

Sean returned the unsold stuff to the shop Sunday, unloaded it and put the recycling back in the trailer. He mentioned he may not have gotten everything put away quite where it originally was. I say, not to worry....

Sean says thanks to everyone at Wheels that helped get the word out.

The wiring for the trailer lights came undone while Sean was hauling stuff. I'll take a look at it.

Sean also raised over $800 for fairwisconsin.org.

He said that he "never imagined collecting over $1,000 at a garage sale :- ) What an exciting event!"

Monona Garage Sale

2006-05-19T11:16:00.000-05:00

Sean J. picked up a trailer load of stuff last night (Thurs., May 18) for the Monona Community Yard Sale. If you've got time swing by (601 W. Dean Ave.) and tell others to do so also.

TV Coverage this morning

2006-05-18T07:32:00.000-05:00

Colleen Hayes from Sherman Middle School did an interview on NBC 15 at 6:30am this morning to promote Bike to School Day (part of Bike to Work Week) and in the interview she mentioned Wheels for Winners, the requirements to earn a bike, and showed the web address. Randol White made a big deal out of what a great program it was and asked for the website to be shown a second time. She did a great job...the only rough spot was when Randol asked her where Wheels got its funding and she didn't know...but she did say that it was run by all volunteers and Randol said "well I hope that they continue be funded where ever the money comes from"

Followup from last night's meeting

2006-05-11T12:02:00.000-05:00

1. I have sent thank yous to Roger Charley at Budget, Jeff at Revolution, Ambra at REI, and Habush, Habush, and Rotier. I think that gets us up to date on thank you notes...turns out the ones I thought I was backed up on I did a few months ago. I sent Charolette file copies of the thank yous.

2. I also contacted Ellison Bentley (Chuck Strawser's wife) about doing some regular hours...she can't do anything until after June 25th. I asked Chuck to pester his mechanic friends too

W4W Listing in 'The Isthmus'

2006-05-11T09:58:00.000-05:00

Wheels for Winners is in the online edition of the Isthmus' 'The Daily Page'. I think I have linked this blog entry to the correct webpage, it is under the 'Good Works' category. Or you can try, http://www.thedailypage.com/going-out/theguide/results.php?section=26&startDate=&keyword=Keywords
Evidently these things are printed in the actual paper only on a space available basis unless we choose to pay for a listing. Looks like it will stay in the webpage until the end of the year.

Kim

New on-line calendar

2006-05-11T09:14:00.000-05:00

Today is my day to catch up on Wheels stuff from the last 6 months that I've neglected...so you'll hear from me alot today.

First order of duty...at the board meeting last night I was charged with creating an on-line interactive calendar for the purposes of "to-do" list stuff and events. I've started one and we'll see if we like the application or not.

You can go there and enter anything you like...
http://my .calendars.net/wheelsforwinners

I will get a permanent link up soon here on the blog so it is easy for everyone to find. I am busy entering the information from the to-do spreadsheet I created right now...so by the end of the day it should be more full

More soon

Reminder: Community Bike Conference

2006-05-10T16:48:00.000-05:00

Just a reminder:National conference for community bike programs May 26-29 in Milwaukee www.bikebike.org

Tuesday Night At the Wheels Shop

2006-05-09T21:42:00.000-05:00

Time for another Shop BLOG (from the blog-o-sphere)

Tuesday Night at the W4W shop...

Berit and I opened up, and she set to work tearing down one of the surplus bikes (have we got bikes... and a few klunkers too). I was helping her get a rusty brake lever off when a group of 6 walked in to get bikes. Yee-ha!
We ran the garage door up seeing as it was nice enough out, and the earners looked over the stock from both ends of the aisle. I extracted the bikes, adjusted seats, and set them off test riding and then answered questions. They were thrilled!
As I finished off the waivers and passed out stickers and licenses, Ryan, a potential volunteer that I have been conversing with thru e-mail, strolled in. Yee-Ha!! I rifled thru the file drawer, found a volunteer app, and sat him down to fill it out as the five bikes went out the door.... and just as two more earners walked in. Yee-ha!!

They picked out a couple bikes, took them for test rides, and then we fitted helmets. Ryan hung out a bit and we chatted about what he did and when he might be interested in pitching in (he is a carpenter by trade). We'll let Charlotte do her magic and then give him a call.

And then Richard shows up. Yee-ha!! With a box of 800 1/4" ball bearings that he got a huge deal on! Yee-ha!! Berit spent a few minutes on homework while Richard straightened out a wheel on the truing stand. Steve Miller, The Rolling Stones, and The Moody Blues played on the radio. A light rain fell outside.

Richard stayed on after 8 PM. As Berit and I left, I picked up a few rims that had been scattered on the ground by the door. Hmm... what's this? A-ha! 4 sets of French 'sew up' rims (Fiamme and others) Yee-ha!! Now I don't want these crazy things, but they are worth upwards of 30 bucks a pair to purists that collect and use 'tubular' tire-wheels. Set them aside for the swap or for a special sale. They would fetch many 'helmets and locks.'

Nuff for now.... nuthin' like hangin' at the shop.

Repair Supplies, Chris Taballerio leaving...

2006-05-08T08:44:00.000-05:00

Finally, finally, finally....I got an order of bike supply parts through. Brake cables, shifter cables, cable housing, cable end crimps, and ball bearings. And at a great price! This was a process that has taken almost 6 months!!! If you are ever at Revolution Cycle and/or otherwise see Jeff, be sure to thank him. It was kind of a pain for him to set up the account. He did it to support us and bicycling in the community. It would be nice to send him some sort of acknowledgement.

We will be needing other stuff soon or now....more blue grease, orange hand cleaner, paper towels/shop towels. Anybody going to Farm & Fleet and want to buy this stuff and be re-imbursed? I will get together a firm list.

I dropped by last Sat. (May 6) Chris Taballerio (sp?) is leaving town for New York City. He has been our first Sat. of the month guy for opening the shop and a good mechanic. What to do, what to do? It would be a pretty low-key committment to open the shop one Sat. a month.

FYI - Nick Birch at High Impact next door to the shop says that High Impact would do signage or stickers or t-shirts or other promotional stuff at a 'significant discount'...whatever that means.

Speaking of bikes to sell: Peugeot

2006-05-05T11:06:00.000-05:00

I guess this goes to the 'save for the swap' thread or do we post it?

I hung a Peugeot frame on a peg in the first room (w/the stool)
White with some nice chrome on the forks
Medium size
Peugeot brakes intact
Looks like an early-mid 70's frame, light for a steel frame

these types of steel frames are lusted after by those single/fixed gear 'I-hang-out-at-Revolution-cycles' bombers and might fetch a few bucks (err... pay for a few helmets).
so I did not toss it on the recycle heap

50 helmets from Habush; outside of Madison; 3-wheel bike

2006-05-04T20:49:00.000-05:00

I unpacked and put away 50 helmets from Habush, Habush & Rotier this evening.
They are very nice, Bell brand helmets. They have cool grafix on them, half with flames and half with a more floral design. The are for older/larger kids.

Ricardo Perez was the name on the packing slip...not sure if he is a lawyer or a shipping clerk.

Dar, do you have a contact name at H H & R? We really gotta give them a big thanks.

-----------------------------------------

One message was left by Jeni Lujan, a Dane Co. Health Nurse (242-6533). She wanted to know if the Earn-A-Bike program was open to kids outside of Madison. As far as I know, the answer is yes. Comments?

------------------------------------------

Marge 845-7102 has a son who has, umm, Cerebral Palsy or something like that. They are replacing his old 3-wheel bike with a new one, want to know if we want the old one to fix up. It may take up a lot of space and I am not sure where or to whom we would give it away. Nonetheless, my inclination is to tell her yes, please. What do you think?

Kim

i'm in!

2006-05-02T15:12:00.000-05:00

hey board...i'm finally in--i've been out a lot...but the last couple of days i've gotten refocused on w4w--as you can see by the rei application...i thought we had until may 31 to get it in--but yesterday audra was like, "hurry up and do it asap..." so i hope what i submitted gets us some $$$

i'll be in slc and jackson wyoming may 10-14 visiting with my son and daughter-in-law, so i'll miss the bike fiesta and our board meeting...sorry! drink a beer for me:-))))

Sell a Bike?

2006-05-02T14:08:00.000-05:00

Chuck Strawser would like to buy the little green Schwinn with the banana seat that was for sale at the Swap...anyone know what we asked for it?

Possible fundraiser

2006-05-02T14:07:00.000-05:00

In the future...when a big bike sale or show is coming up, we may want to consider asking if qualified folks can help out with assembling bikes (for instance...for BikeORama)...then those folks could donate what they get paid to Wheels. We could even promote this as a way for folks who aren't as good of mechanics to learn more.

W4W is REI Non-Profit of the Month (May)

2006-05-01T10:59:00.001-05:00

W4W is REI Non-Profit of the Month for the month of May.
I have added a link on the W4W website to REI's website where they talk about this.
Gail is trying to get the REI grant proposal in.
Ambra of REI wants to do a "Grant Presentation" on June 10th. I originally thought they wanted us to present a proposal, but it looks like she wants to present us with the grant! Anybody's guess how this will all work out, but keep your fingers crossed.

-Kim

Wallingford BIkes donation program

2006-04-29T09:48:00.000-05:00

I was drinking coffee, trolling about the net bike links, and stopped by Wallingford Cycle stuff (wallbike.com) . They have the coolest touring bags and stuff (tho they have a sale page too). Right on their front page was a call out to non-profit bike groups that they might donate to (a percentage of their Brooks Saddle sales... ahh... I LOVE Brooks saddles).

I went ahead and sent them a little spiel plus our web page link. Here is the post quoted:
======================================================
Hello Wallingford

I stopped by your lovely page to look at some tour bags and such and saw your call out to non-profit cycle concerns.

I am on the board of Wheels for Winners here in Madison, Wisconsin. We've been working with youth in the community since 1992, providing free, refurbished bikes after they complete 15 hours of community volunteer service. We provide opportunities for volunteer mechanics, who work in our shop (with 3 work benches, fully equipped with donated tools), and we do outreach to commuity organizations to provide the volunteer opportunites as well as encourage kids to join the program. We also work with local bike vendors and businesses to assist us with funding, helmets, locks, bike parts... even bike storage. And of course we work with the community to provide us with bikes to refurbish (which also keeps them OUT OF THE LANDFILL!)

Here's a humble web page with some background info on who we are:

http://wheelsforwinners.org/

we'd be honored to be included in your donation program.

Sincerely

Mark Evans

================================================================

Ya never know what will become of these things, eh?
I put the wheelsforwinners gmail address as the reply to.

Our latest volunteer replyer, Mike Teff, got to the shop late (after 8 pm) on thursday, but e-mailed me and will drop off or send in the volunteer app and come back next thursday. I will stop in briefly to try to connect with him (I have a regular thursday eve gig at 7PM)

Open blog; flyer; next Board Mtg....

2006-04-28T08:13:00.000-05:00

My inclination is to at least open the W4W blog for others to read. I am guessing not many would bother to do so, but those who are interested enough would be able to see what's up.

Jessica has updated the one-page, mailable flyer. Both Gail and I have seen it. I wanted it for REI to hand out and for the Monona Community Yard Sale and other things. It has updated e-mail address, updated website address, new map, etc. I think we were originally going to put it forward next board meeting, but this particular cat is getting out of the bag. I am not sure my file copy is the most recent, so if anybody wants a copy e-mailed I guess let Jessica know....(okay Jessica?) Otherwise, it will be unveiled at the next Board Meeting for your comments/corrections. Once we have consensus, we can stick it out on the website as a downloadable form or ....?

Next Board Meeting is Wed., May 10th

Checking the Blog Temperature

2006-04-27T15:25:00.000-05:00

As Julie joins the chatter (Gail, where oh where are you?) I am reflecting on how the blog is going. I think it goes well. Should we make the volunteers aware of the blog's existence?

There are three options:
1. Don't tell them it exists
2. Tell them it exists...but don't give them posting priveledges (or only give certain volunteers posting priveledges)
3. Let them all read AND post

Are there thoughts? I think it would be nice for them to see what we are doing...and for us to see what is on their minds.

Comments?

Product Liability Insurance

2006-04-27T15:13:00.000-05:00

File this one under: future ideas and issues:

Willing purveyors of product liability insurance for programs that work with kids and bikes:
Adam Wolfson/Nancy Western of Wolfson Insurance Brokerage at nwestern@globalcoverage.net or 212-683-2622

REI; Storage at Ironworks; Staffing; etc.

2006-04-27T07:33:00.000-05:00

Yoicks!

Okay...W4W has been nominated for an REI grant and I received the paperwork. I am turning the paperwork over to Gail (thanks Gail) to be filled in.

W4W will be highlighted as REI's non-profit of the month (May)

REI is also hosting a 'bike drive' from May 1 to June 10th. One June 10th they are going to do a 'presentation'. I don't know what the presentation is about really. I'll get more details.

Charlotte mentioned that we received a check for $250 from Budget Bikes. Not sure what that is apropos of, but it is a good thing.

On Friday (4/28) I am going to run through the procedure to open the Ironworks for storage. I mean how to turn off the security alarm and whatever else.

We've got a bunch of trashy bikes sitting outside the W4W shop right now. They need to be stripped or stowed or something.

Clarey Willard has started working at the shop on Mon and Wed. afternoons under the Cap Times mentor program. Not much experience but she's got a good attitude. She worked with me on Monday and Walt on Wed.

The W4W shop may be closed next Wed. (5/3) Fred A. is in Holland (?) and Walt B. will be gone, so Charlotte may not even bother to come it. I am dropping Clarey's mom an e-mail letting her know not to come in.

Sean Jindrich offered to sell bikes/bike components at a Monona Community Yard Sale...we're trying to get some stuff ready for that.

More later....

-Kim

Bike Bike

2006-04-26T15:24:00.000-05:00

I've also neglected to properly promote the fact that there is a national Community Bike Program conference coming to Milwaukee in May.
www.bikebike.org
May 26-29 in Milwaukee. I plan to try to attend...but not sure yet if I can.

Organizing contact:Shea Schachameyer, Milwaukee Bicycle Collective, 3006 N. Booth St. Milwaukee, WI 53212, bicyclebust.com 414-372-8345

Shea also works for Bike Fed part time...I took her by the shop on Tuesday night. She was really impressed. She said that we have way more space and store bikes much more efficiently than they do at the Milwaukee Bicycle Collective. They are the folks that hauled away 30-50 last winter, fyi.

Helmets

2006-04-26T15:21:00.000-05:00

I've been neglecting my promise to look into helmets. I learned today of this site:

HELMETS R US PROVIDES HELMETS AT COSTHelmets R Us - we're a non-profit company out of the State ofWashington. We provide bike helmets, multisport helmets, ski helmetsetc... to non-profit groups all over the USA and Canada at cost. Ourhelmets start at $3.95 and are an excellent resource for people tryingto help in this endeavor."CindyLu Webber, Sales Manager, Helmets R Us, 2705 Pacific Ave, Tacoma,WA 98023; phone: (253) 627-2121; fax: (253) 572-4225; email:http://www.helmetsrus.net

Do we know how many helmets we need and in what sizes? If someone let's me know I will order some.
-Dar

Volunteer Mechanic update (and some true bloggin')

2006-04-26T09:59:00.000-05:00

Just want to update the crew on Volunteer-action that is going on

Wed. Night Bike Rides and Bombay Bike Club agreed to add Wheelsforwinners.org link on their information pages. Bombay told me I could come by before one of their Sunday rides and spiel the Wheels-4-Winners story to the ready riders. I would have to contact the ride leader for that day and clear it with them. I'd bring along some mini-raisin boxes to hand out along with a small info-hand out or card (if we had one with current info); the fastest way to a volunteer's heart is thru their stomach. I am busy this week, but may look at the following Sunday.

I was also instructed to check out the Mad_Bikers yahoo group and post a volunteer call out on the forum there. I did get one solid inquiry, followed up, and am waiting to hear back.

We have gotten a couple bites for new volunteers. Thanks to Jessica for passing Mike Teff's message along. Mike will be stopping by the shop on Thursday to check out the digs and fill out a form. Mike sounds enthusiastic.

My 15-year-old daughter, Berit, was in the shop again on Tuesday, continuing her quest to become a COASTER BRAKE specialist. She managed to disassemble, clean, grease, and reassemble a coaster brake wheel from a bitty kids bike... and when it was done.. IT WORKED! You go girl! More on this as it develops.

Saturday in the Shop:
Started out quiet with me all alone with the bag full of Greenbush Bakery donuts. Kim stopped by to say hi, and then Jim Reynolds, a now-and-then volunteer from Waterloo arrived (he biked all the way in on his Longbike recumbent!); JIm picked right up with a bike he started some long time ago. Richard stopped by later, with a fixed bike in tow and started right in on a small BMX type bike. Jim is an old school sorta mechanic, always working the grinding wheel over some mishapen part (gave Richard a chuckle or two). It was a lively old time.

Spring time with the door wide open... makes the shop a nice place to be.

Monona Garage Sale

2006-04-24T09:47:00.003-05:00

Sean J. e-mailed me. He is willing to handle W4W stuff at the Monona community garage sale. I would like to take a few likely-looking bikes and some components to him to see if they can be sold. Let me know if anyone objects. Otherwise, if you are in the shop, feel free to set stuff aside for this. There is one bike that I tagged for the 'Swap' and another one, the one with the front and rear derailleurs operated off off a single grip shifter...I thought these might be likely candidates. I am thinking of taking just what will fit in the back of my truck. -Kim

Bike Community Pages on DaneNet

2006-04-20T08:05:00.000-05:00

Maybe you already knew this, but I think the BCP pages are back up on DaneNet.

And good news, there is a redirect from http://danenet.wicip.org/bcp/wfw/ to www.wheelsforwinners.org .

Not sure who is responsible, but a tip of the helmet to them.

Kim

Volunteer connections

2006-04-19T11:50:00.000-05:00

I sent some feelers out to Bombay Bike Club and WNBR (wed nite bike ride)
The idea being to do a presentation before a ride, spiel the riders, maybe pass out some W4W cards with contact info... try to encourage riders to volunteer in the shop. I included web address to W4W web page.

I heard back from two folks and they said they'd put the web link up on their pages (community bike links). The fellow from WNBR also suggested I join the Mad-Bike group, which has over 250 members, and put posts up there. I joined the group and am awaiting the verification thru my e-mail.

Create LIve Bookmark for W4W blog

2006-04-17T09:19:00.000-05:00

This is sort of on blog topic/off W4W topic

If you are using Firefox or Safari (for mac) or some browser OTHER than Micro-Sloth's Internet Exploder... you can create an RSS or Live Bookmark feed of the W4W blog and add it to the bookmark toolbar that is available on these browsers

(here is a link to the how to for Firefox)
http://www.mozilla.com/firefox/livebookmarks.html

this creates a bookmark or shortcut link on my bookmark toolbar; if I click on it, a list of entries drops down and I can quickly see if anything is new (hey, there is a new entry... from Mark. Hey, that's me!)

Blog Settings

2006-04-13T14:57:00.000-05:00

I've fixed the problem that Kim mentioned about the posts/comments emailing to the gmail address. If it is still doing it...let me know and I'll dig deeper for another setting.

Any of us can change the settings by loggin in as wheelsforwinners and using the password earnabike

Blog question...

2006-04-12T12:10:00.000-05:00

Seems like everytime someone posts a comment to the blog, e-mail is sent to WheelsforWinners@gmail.com This results in unnecessary mail in that mailbox. Anyway to change that? - Kim

Online Volunteer posting

2006-04-12T11:59:00.000-05:00

I dropped a couple notices on Craigslist (under the BIKES section and the VOLUNTEER section)
I took the liberty and put a small pic of one of our mechanics working on a bike to make one of the posts a little more interesting. (in deference to HIPPA and all that rot the pic I used does not clearly show the worker's face)

under the Bikes section

Under the Volunteer section

pretty simple
to complete the post, Craigslist sends a verification to an e-mail address, in this case mine.
It will be interesting to see what kind of response we get. I can go back to the posts and edit them. Should I insert the Wheels e-mail address? What is that address? let me know

thanks

Storage at Ironworks

2006-04-12T09:10:00.000-05:00

I signed a 'facility use agreement' with Margo Tiedt at Atwood Comm Ctr yesterday. She gave me a key and the security code. We can move bikes over there whenever we can get that organized. The agreement is for 6 months, but we can renew it...up until they start construction which'll be like a year and a half from now. - Kim