What do you get when you mix our YMEN guys, brand-new, boxed bikes, and some no-nonsense know-how? A whole lot of fun! Last Wednesday, some of our guys got together with Alex Wilson of West Town Bikes and Frank Whiting, one of our esteemed board members and built 15 brand new Schwins. The Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC-Chicago) generously provided the dollars and we worked with Pacific Cycle to get a great price on the bikes.

These bikes will provide the opportunity for our guys to experience the city in a whole new way. We can learn about basic bike maintenance, traffic safety, and get fit — all while having fun. We already have some experienced “fixers” in our midst, but having these wonderful bikes will enable us to ride down Lake Shore Drive together in style. We have trips to some of the local suburban trails in the works and may even sneak a trip in to Lake Shore Drive before the Chicago hawk begins blowing its unbearable breezes.

Thanks to Keri Blackwell of LISC Chicago, Frank Whiting of our board and Alex Wilson of West Town Bikes for helping us make this possible.