PAC Tour Recycling Bike Parts ProjectDo you have old cycling clothing that is clean and in good shape? Do you have any old bike parts that still have some life left in them? Remember your 7 speed shift levers and derailleurs that you changed to 8 speed then 9 or 10 speed a few years later. Do you have any cycling shoes that have cleats and compatible pedals? Sizes 36 to 44 are best. Other standard parts such as handlebars, stems, seats, water bottle cages, brakes are all useful items. Put your old equipment to good use and help someone develop and improve their cycling skills.
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Several years ago a woman from Ghana, Africa contacted the Race Across America office. Lon and Susan were race directors at the time. The woman wanted to learn more about RAAM and bicycle racing. Lon sent her several old cycling magazines, posters and information about training and racing.
The woman's name is Vida Juliet Vivie. She is the regional director for the Youth Sports Development Association in Ghana, Africa. She used to ride quite a bit. Her longest ride was almost 300 kilometers in one day and she sent Lon a newspaper article about her ride to prove it.
During the next few years, Vida and Lon wrote each other regularly. Vida is a big supporter in trying to make cycling a popular sport in her country. She says the biggest problem is the lack of equipment. Modern bicycles are rare or very expensive. Most of the racers ride bicycles similar to styles that were popular in the United States during the 1970's and 80's.
Lon has sent Vida several packages with bike parts and clothing. Yes, there is a bicycle club in Africa outfitted with old Grand Canyon PAC Tour jerseys. There are men and women racers ranging in age from twelve to thirty years old.
Bring your old items to the start of PAC Tour. If each PAC Tour rider brought just one item to their tour, we would accumulate almost 400 items during the year. We will then send this equipment to Vida in Ghana.
Anything that will fit in a shoe box is a good gauge of the size item to donate. Bring something that will fit in your gearbag when coming to the start of the tour and something we can pack and ship to Africa.
Each rider who donates equipment will receive a pair of PAC Tour Cycling Socks.
Bicycle Inter Community Action and Salvage (BICAS) began in 1990 in Tucson, Arizona. They collect parts and provide bicycles for people who cannot afford to buy a bike. They are also very involved in community awareness and cycling education. If you have old bike old parts or a frame you want to donate, you can send your parts directly to BICAS.
You can contact them at http://www.bicas.com/