Sage Advice

I had lunch with my former boss, John Breeding. I looked to him as a mentor for guidance related to the growth and feeding of ChainReaction Ministries. Here were his points:
1) Don't let it die.
2) Give with joy.
3) Don't let this effort overshadow your family
4) If you want it to grow, get others involved in the refurbishing of the bikes.
5) Determine what you want this to be in 5 years.
6) The market is there, you just need to figure out how to play it according to Item 5
7) You have to ask for what you need. Close the sale!

It was a very good lunch. He is a good resource.

Pay it Forward,
David

One month report

What a difference a month makes. 21 DEC 09 we delivered the first five bikes. We went from an idea, to a calling, to 8 bikes delivered in a month! Along the way, I met some friends, found out that my neighbors are there for me, and realized that I am not alone in this wacky little bicycle recycling world.

Next steps:
1) Refine the mission and goals
2) Get the website up

The bikes will come. I just need to pace myself.

Pay it Forward,
David

God's Grip

John Malget, Associate Minister at Memorial Drive Christian Church always signs his emails, "in God's Grip." I get it now. I have a job that pays the bills and provides for my family – and I am blessed. But in my waking and hours and nighttime solitude, my head is filled with the concerns of others. The homeless families that have made the decision to start their lives over, with absolutely nothing – seeking your help and others.

Now that I started, I don’t know what the end state will be. As long as God keeps speaking (sometime shouting) to me, I keep working. Putting out the call for bikes. Hunting down unwanted ones from the backs of bike shops. And they keep coming. I see the need, and with His grip on my heart, mind, and body, I keep working.

Dear God, please don’t loosen your grip.

Pay it Forward,
David

www.chainreactionbikes.org

We are firmly planted in cyberspace! www.chainreactionbikes.org is registered and parked. Now to learn FrontPage, Linux, and exercise a little creative design for a website.

Pay it Forward,
David

Where did the second delivery go?

The three bikes went to the Molina family, a single mom who not only cares for her kids, but also kids of family members that are currently incarcerated. She provides them a loving home, and hope that they will not be forgotten.

Catherine at Westside Homeless Partnership says that she has plenty of capacity for more bikes, and that she will help me find other groups similar to WHP around Houston.

Pay it Forward,
David

I am not alone.

I found two other groups in Houston this week that are doing similar "bicycle recycling." One on the east side of Houston, and one in the Third Ward. They each have a different mission that what ChainReaction Ministries is focused on - but they are out there also. It has me thinking about the compelling story behind ChainReaction Ministries. Catherine Gassmann at Westside Homeless Partnership had a wonderful perspective on it. She spoke of the freedom that a bike provides to those with no other form of transportation other than their feet. The health benefits, improving basic mobility to and from work and to gain access to goods and services that would have been otherwise not accessible. It was reaffirming and provided me more focus on the mission.

Pay it Forward,
David

January Work Day Report

A little drizzle did not keep three of my neighbors (who I am blessed to have as my very good friends), Jay Barr, Milt Alberstadt, and Will Harris from stopping by early. Jay cleaned up a MTB, Will repaired flats, and Milt helped prioritize the builds. Clark Martinson stopped by around 11:00 and brought his portable bike shop with him.

Clark demoed the proper way to overhaul a coaster brake hub. We finished a girls 20" Huffy and a Specialized Rockhopper MTB.

Pete Dawson stopped by with a KHS roadbike that had been collecting dust in his garage. Clark gave it a nice soapy bath, a light tune, and it is ready for the road!

Lessons Learned:
1) Sometimes no amount of steel wool can clean rust off of cheap chrome plated steel rims.
2) Rebuliding coaster brake hubs isn't hard. Just remember the order in which you pulled things apart. Oh - and don't use too much grease.
3) I have got to better at deciding how much time to put into a bike. There has got to be a "tipping point" at which the parts are better for future efforts rather than trying to rebuild the bike.

In need of 20" rims (front and rear), kids saddles, and kids grips. So to that end, I called Tom at Bicycle World & Fitness to see if he had anything - nothing today. Clark recommended Cyclone Cycles in Bellaire. Mark told me to come back Monday or Tuesday when he was not busy and he would visit with me about parts.

Pay it Forward,
David

2nd Delivery to Westside Homeless Partnership

Delivered three bikes to Westside Homeless Partnership. Milt Alberstadt (neighbor helping in transport) and I Met Catherine Gassman - their Executive Director. She said that these three are destined for a single mom who recently lost her job. Not only does she take care of her three kids, but she also takes care of several family members kids. She is trying to break a vicious cycle, and the kids bikes will help give the kids some freedom, esp. when the weather gets better.

8 bikes total. 4 pending.

Pay it Forward,
David

January Work Day - Saturday, 16 JAN 10, 9-11am at my house. We have eight bikes that need to be refurbished in order to make room for more. Email me at chainreactionministries@gmail.com for directions. Bring a friend, bring a bike! Remember - there is not a bike that is "too far gone." Delivering three tomorrow to Westside Homeless Partnership assuming I can get back from Austin in time.

Pay it Forward,
David

Bicycle World & Fitness

Word is getting around. The folks at Bicycle World & Fitness are recognizing me as a regular. Went there to see a demonostration by Jeff Lenosky - a Mountain Bike Trials Professional riding for Giant. He was amazing! His control and balance were unparalleled. He holds the Bunnyhop World Record - 45.5 inches! He balanced a wheelie and put the front tire on a kids nose! He is an inspiration to those following their dream!

Pay it Forward,
David

2nd Build

Three more ready to go this week!

Pay it Forward,
David

At the bookstore I picked up a little book titled "333 Ways to be a Daily Philathopist" or something. Flipped it open to a random page and the "way" that was staring back at me was "Recycle a Bicycle." Mentioned programs in NYC and Chicago. Coincidence - I think not.

Pay it Forward,
David