Fifteen kids returned from a safe cycling clinic to find 15 new Fuji Absolute 3.0 bicycles waiting for them in boxes, waiting for their allen keys and wrenches. They trained for two weeks on the basics of bicycle mechanics, and even opened their storefront as a bike repair shop for one glorious day, earning their wrenching chops.

Monday and this morning, these 12-15 year olds became LCI-trained street cyclists. And at 11 AM, their new bikes arrived.

Enjoy the story in pictures:

http://calsagcycles.tumblr.com/

http://flickr.com/calsagcycles

Tomorrow, the kids practice using their bikes with transit. And Thursday, they'll ride 30 miles on streets and multi-use path. Doing so, they'll also star in our capital campaign video to build the Calumet-Sag Trail. They don't know yet that they'll ride this far. Do not tell them.

We (Friends of the Calumet-Sag Trail) thank the Coca-Cola Foundation, Rails to Trails Conservancy, and Fuji Bicycles for the challenge and funding to make this happen.

Thanks for reading!