Giving Old Bikes New Lives and Making Dreams Come True
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Updated: 8:01 PM Jun 7, 2006
Giving Old Bikes New Lives and Making Dreams Come True
With a little bit of elbow grease and a lot of passion, two men in Stevens Point are making dreams come true for kids and adults.
Posted: 6:16 PM Jun 7, 2006
Reporter: Julie Huck
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Since 2005 they've fixed up more than 400 bicycles and given them away for free. Now they're working on bikes for two very special people.

In just about a week, one shiny red bike and one pastel pink bike will have new homes. It's all thanks to the two men behind "The Stanley Project." They give old bikes new lives.

A three-wheeler has been sitting in the warehouse for about a year. It's a special bike, made for people with disabilities.

Just Tuesday, Jim Traenkenschuh, one of the founders of "The Stanley Project," finally found it a home. A woman who's in a wheelchair will be the proud owner of this special bike.

"I hope she says, 'I need a helmet now' because that thing will go as fast as a road bike will go," says Stanley Project Co-founder Jim Traenkenschuh.

This pink Schwinn was covered in rust when a 10-year-old girl picked it out. She's never owned a bike and out of hundreds of bikes, she picked the one with the tiny flower.

Traenkenschuh says, "I tried to talk her out of it into a better bike. She said, 'No, I want this bike.'"

When she comes to pick it up next week, that little girl may not recognize it. The bike guys have completely restored it.

Traenkenschuh says they've received a lot of support from sponsors and volunteers, but they can always use more old bikes and donations of time or treasure are always welcome too.

If you would like to donate an old bike or help out in another way, contact Jim Traenkenschuh at 715-342-9511 or e-mail at bikes@charter.net.

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