Calgary Cycle Shares the Ride … and a whole LOTTA love!

When we first heard about Operation Share the Ride over here at Calgary Cycle we immediately knew that we wanted to be a part of it in any way possible. Since there was no “share-o-rist” cell here in Calgary we volunteered to get one underway. After teaming up with the Big Brothers and Big Sisters Club of Calgary we found many deserving children to pair up with a new set of wheels this Christmas.

Trek Bicycles was kind enough to hook us up with a great deal on 50 kids bikes for us to give away. We had a 2 day bike building marathon here at CC and soon enough the shop was littered with pink, blue and yellow 12”, 16” and 20” wheeled bikes, streamers, baskets and training wheels. The little bikes brought us all back to when we all got our first bikes and the giggles, smiles & good times that came along with ‘em. Needless to say we were all pretty stoked to be able to be a part of this program.


The Big Brothers and Big Sisters Club brought us up to Catherine Nicolas Gunn Elementary School to donate the bikes. The bikes were wheeled into the gym and then the lucky little ones soon followed. I must say that the look on their faces when they first saw the bikes was absolutely priceless… Mastercard had NOTHING on it. During the presentation the kids could hardly sit still or pay attention to what was going on as all of their eyes were glued to the shiny new Treks that were parked on the gym floor.


Finally, each individual child was matched up with a bike, given a helmet then told to go tear it up. It was quite the chaotic atmosphere and the kids pedaled their little hearts out round and round and round the gym. A few heartwarming moments were had and a few eyes welled up with tears when the little ‘uns thanked us for the bikes and wished us a Merry Christmas. For some of the children this was their very first bike and for others it may be the most memorable Christmas present that they've gotten. One thing that I learned today was the power that a single 2 wheeled piece of aluminum can have and the happiness that it can bring to the life of anyone, especially children.


It's hard to say what impact this bike may have on the childs life but we hope that if nothing else it brings a smile to their face every time they see it and every time they ride it. A special thanks goes out to each and everyone of you that donated to Share the Ride, Calgary Cycle, Trek Bikes, PinkBike, The Big Brothers and Big Sisters Club of Calgary and Catherine Nicolas Gunn Elementary School.


There is still time to be a part of Operation Share the Ride by donating generously right here on PinkBike.com. Help us make a difference one child and one bike at a time; Donate now.


www.calgarycycle.com