A year ago this month I posted an entry about an old Giant Rincon mountain bike I was working on. I had picked up the bike from a garage sale with the thought that I might convert it to a touring bike to use for the Oklahoma Freewheel cross-the-state ride coming up in six months. After disassembling and cleaning/repairing/adjusting everything on the bike, I put it back together with drop bars and road shifters. Not long afterwards, however, I had the opportunity to purchase a 20-year old tourer which I rebuilt and eventually used on the Freewheel ride. So, the old Giant languished in my garage for nearly a year.
I justified it’s taking up valuable storage space by imagining it would make an excellent around-towner with its sturdy frame, flat pedals, and decent rack. I even put straight bars and mountain bike shifters back on it to make it a little more nimble jumping curbs and dodging potholes. But the unfortunate truth is that I simply didn’t ride it. No matter how suitable it was for urban trips, I just didn’t need it.
With the help of my old friend Glenn I found a way to give this old warrior a new lease on life. You see, for several years, Glenn has been going on mission trips to Mexico to provide support for several fledgling churches. He and others supply Bibles, hymnals, clothing, toys, musical and electronic equipment for several congregations there. One real need has been for transportation for the local pastors, some of whom serve more than one church in an area, much like the circuit-rider preachers did in the early days of our own country. For many pastors, owning a bicycle for transportation is simply out of their financial reach.
I justified it’s taking up valuable storage space by imagining it would make an excellent around-towner with its sturdy frame, flat pedals, and decent rack. I even put straight bars and mountain bike shifters back on it to make it a little more nimble jumping curbs and dodging potholes. But the unfortunate truth is that I simply didn’t ride it. No matter how suitable it was for urban trips, I just didn’t need it.
With the help of my old friend Glenn I found a way to give this old warrior a new lease on life. You see, for several years, Glenn has been going on mission trips to Mexico to provide support for several fledgling churches. He and others supply Bibles, hymnals, clothing, toys, musical and electronic equipment for several congregations there. One real need has been for transportation for the local pastors, some of whom serve more than one church in an area, much like the circuit-rider preachers did in the early days of our own country. For many pastors, owning a bicycle for transportation is simply out of their financial reach.
The accompanying pictures are of a pastor in Coxcatlan, Mexico picking up his new bike. He looks happy to receive it, and I’m happy that he’ll be putting it to good use. It’s much better than having it parked unused in my garage.
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