For the past three years, the Community Cycling Center has sent a volunteer crew on Cycle Oregon to detail (yes detail) bikes after each days ride. All the proceeds from the bike detail service (I think it’s around $30 a bike) go directly to the CCC’s Holiday Bike Drive. Last year this money helped 250 low-income kids get a bicycle, a helmet and a holiday party.
I just got an email from Gabe Graff at the CCC and they’re looking for a few volunteers to join them on Cycle Oregon and help with the bike detail. This sounds like an amazing opportunity to not only help the CCC, but to experience the splendor that is Cycle Oregon.
Here’s more from Gabe:
“We’re starting the recruiting process early and aiming for a crew of 12 this year, with comfort, fun and sanity in mind. Similar to last year, volunteers will have a chance to ride the route or relax on at least 2 days during the 7 day ride. We’ll be camping out with the rest of the riders, and all of your food and transportation needs are covered for the week.”
The dates of the ride are September 9th – 16th. The CCC will also do a pre-ride orientation and training on an evening in late August/September on the bike detailing process.
Sounds pretty dang good to me. If you’re interested, email Gabe Graff at gabe@communitycyclingcenter.org. I’d join them right away if I wasn’t already all set to go myself!
I’ve done this for the last two years. Last year 8 of us detailed 229 bikes, had a blast and raised over $13,000 for the CCC. That’s enough funds to cover bikes and helmets for 260 kids. It’s better than a one-for-one: clean a bike and a kid gets a bike! It’s a great program and you get to ride two days of CycleOR for free!
-John