WILMINGTON, NC – Dusty Casteen of A Bike for Every Child turns two wheels into conversation starters with Wilmington youth. Working alongside them, he teaches both practical mechanical skills and life skills that will hopefully keep them on track.
What would you like to know
A Bike for Every Child provides more than 1,000 free bikes per year for children in need
They started city center bike tours to generate the income needed to repair old bikes
They run a junior mechanic program which works as a youth outreach program
“We try to use a bike as a way to relate to people, so it’s pretty much just a vehicle for relationship building,” Casteen said.
Casteen started this operation in his living room in 2015 after he and his best friend started finding old bikes, putting them back in motion and giving them to people in need.
“I think the first two years we didn’t make a dime at all, and from there it was really good because the community kind of found out what we were doing and they came to our sides and have done anything from bike rides to donations. parts and tools, ”Casteen said.
Six years ago he hadn’t planned a place for kids to come to after school to work on bikes and escape the weight of the world a little bit, but now that he exists he doesn’t want to do anything to put jeopardized the links that was built.
“Sometimes they have things going on that you don’t know,” Casteen said. “It’s hard to figure that out until you give them just enough time to lean on you. I think all the kids are really in pain right now, a lot more than they were, and it kind of gives them the opportunity to get away from it all – to come to a place that they feel they are in. comfortable.
Dusty Casteen takes a bike tour of downtown Wilmington
But the pandemic made getting bike parts more difficult, especially for a nonprofit operating on a low budget, and Casteen hated the idea of limiting the impact of the program on the community.
“Sometimes it gets a little overwhelming, when you’re trying to devote your whole life to doing something really good and you can’t find funding or you can’t find bikes or parts,” Casteen said. “The cycle industry is in shambles right now … and it’s getting harder and harder for us to get what we need. “
In order to generate more money, Casteen came up with the idea of offering bike tours of downtown Wilmington that show people hidden places they might not know in the city.
“Every purchase price of an electric bike ride puts another kid’s bike on the road,” Casteen said. “So not only do you come in and have fun, take a ride, but you’re directly responsible for a kid who can’t afford a bike to buy a bike in Wilmington.”
For anyone wishing to donate, A Bike For Every Child is located in the basement of the Harrelson Center in downtown Wilmington, or you can Click here to book a visit or find more information.
LACONIA – A new outdoor experience will help local residents and visitors enjoy the beauty of the Lake District at a leisurely pace.
On Friday, the Hobo & Winnipesaukee Railroad will present its Rail Bike Adventures attraction in downtown Laconia.
People will be able to travel in specially constructed, pedal-powered four-person wagons for a 5-mile round-trip excursion along a stretch of railroad that passes some of the city’s historic industrial buildings and then along the shores of Lake Winnisquam, the fourth largest lake in the state.
“This is a perfect opportunity to bring an attraction to the outdoors, suitable for families and socially remote,” said Paul Giblin, director of marketing and business development for Hobo & Winnipesaukee Railroad.
The new venture is also being hailed as it will add another attraction to the city’s downtown area.
“Not only does it give people another way to follow the lakes, it also brings them closer to our business community,” said Karmen Gifford, president of the Lake District Chamber of Commerce.
Mayor Andrew Hosmer and members of City Council, as well as state officials and representatives from various local businesses, are expected to be on hand for a groundbreaking ceremony Thursday which will officially mark the opening of the attraction.
The ceremony will not only be an opportunity to exhibit the rail bikes, but also to show off the restored rotunda of the historic downtown train station, which will serve as a ticket office, waiting room and gift shop for the rail bike attraction.
The attraction will operate Tuesday through Sunday, with tours departing downtown at 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m.
Rail cyclists will cross the trestle over the Winnipesaukee River, pass Bartlett Beach, and continue along the shore of Lake Winnisquam to a point behind the Belknap Mall in Belmont, where cars will be returned on a special hub and the runners will be able to take a 15-minute break in the new rest area when they can take in the lake views, Giblin said.
All outings will be supervised by trained guides at the front and rear of each group, as well as a flagperson at all level crossings. Riders will be split during the guided tours, typically with 200 feet between each rail bike, allowing riders to enjoy the experience and the view at their own pace.
Each visit will last between 1 hour and 30 minutes and 1 hour and 50 minutes, Giblin said.
Planning and preparations for the rail bike tours have been underway for 14 months, Gilbin said.
The idea arose out of a discussion that took place in 2019, initially on the possibility of resuming the trails between Lakeport and Weirs Beach in order to extend the WOW Trail. This idea was soon abandoned. But it prompted City Councilor Bob Hamel to ask railroad officials why, given that they were determined to preserve the railroad, they weren’t running excursion trains to downtown Laconia. , instead of ending them at the lower end of Paugus Bay.
“I am very happy that the Clark family (who own the railway) chose Laconia to have this attraction,” Hamel said.
Like Gifford, Hamel sees the appeal and gives new impetus to downtown businesses.
The rides are open to adults and children. However, riders must be at least 4 feet tall and weigh less than 250 pounds. Advance reservations are required and can be made online at hoborr.com/rail-bike-adventures. The rides will be offered until the end of October.
Further information is also available by calling 603-745-2135.
BUFFALO, NY (WIVB) – Since 2018, Buffalo Bike Tours has been sharing Buffalo stories while moving on two wheels. Groups explore the history and gastronomy of the queen city by bike.
“[We] reconnect with this place we all know and care about and which has such a rich history, rich architecture and so many incredible stories, ”said founder Marc Moscato.
Over the last two weekends, the tour took to the streets of Buffalo’s Broadway-Fillmore neighborhood, exploring sites like St. Stanislaus and the Buffalo Central Terminal. But as the groups learn about Buffalo’s past, they also get a glimpse of the future Eugene V. Debs Hall: a nonprofit social club.
Chris Hawley bought the building in October. The history buff was delighted to see that many of the original pieces still called the living room.
“I just turned 40. My dream was to buy an old East Side corner tavern and revive it,” Hawley said. “I think the history of the East Side in particular is fascinating. And in fact, Eugene V. Debs Hall will be focusing on the Buffalo and US labor movement – that’s the reason for the name; he was one of the great union leaders of the United States ”
For now, the room serves as a departure and arrival point for Buffalo Bike Tour groups exploring this neighborhood. But Hawley said he hopes to open it by Labor Day.
If you are interested for more information on Buffalo Bike Tours, you can visit their website here.
Marlee Tuskes is a reporter who has been on the News 4 team since 2019. See more of her work here.
ROANOKE, Virginia – As part of National Bike Month, a Roanoke program offers community members a chance to be rewarded for their activity.
This month, RIDE Solutions will offer over 40 guided bike tours and if you participate you will be entered to win a prize.
“Our goal in sharing these tours is to help people learn new ways to get around their neighborhood on two wheels instead of being behind the wheel,” said Tim Pohlad-Thomas, outreach and outreach specialist. communications from RIDE Solutions. “By promoting these safe, fun and recreational routes, we hope to encourage people to discover new connections between neighborhoods or other points of interest, which can help cyclists feel more comfortable riding. switch to commuting by bike rather than by car itself. “
To participate, visit the program page website to RSVP at their month-long Bike Month event. Once you’ve signed up, you can save your rides on one of the 40+ self-guided tours to win a prize. Each saved trip counts as one entry.
A d
Tours can be followed on the Ride with the GPS application which offers audible step-by-step instructions and the ability to add links to interpretive videos. The app also allows you to share your progress with your family and friends.
People can also take a look at the tours offered on the program website. The list will continue to grow as new routes are discovered. If you or your organization has a route idea that you would like to share, you can contact the organization at [email protected] or 1-866-424-3334.
Watching Norbert Asprion run, you wouldn’t guess his feet create works of art. The chemical engineer from Ludwigshafen, Germany, drives about 50 km per week and plots routes on a mobile app to create detailed animal shapes. And they are adorable. “The good thing is that so many people love animals,” he wrote in an email. “And it’s nice to make them smile in these strange times.”
Indeed, Norbert’s creatures are a marvel to see on his cell phone. It started when his friend Marcus asked him to draw a route in the shape of a pig. Then Marcus’ son asked him to create a “sausage dog”. And he did too. He even created a unicorn for a young girl who had undergone cancer treatments.
How is it?
“For planning and navigation I use an app for hiking, running and biking called komoot, “he explained.” It has very detailed maps all over the world, with even little paths in the backyards of houses. I look on the map first. [to see] if I can find a characteristic detail of an animal. Maybe it’s like looking up in the sky, sometimes we see something in the clouds. When I then see something, say, the head of the turtle, then I look to see if the rest is okay too. Sometimes it is not easy. You need to be flexible and not focus on just one [shape] if you want to run around town. It helps to imagine different views, from the side or from the front.
He searches for drawings on Google for ideas on how to build the shape. Then he loads the navigation onto his mobile app to create the creatures on the map as he runs, using the oral instructions as a guide. “I should also take a look at the map if in doubt,” he wrote, adding that the Adidas running app “makes the best designs, in my opinion.” Norbert created 36 animals mapped in Ludwigshafen, five more nearby, and the pig, in Mannheim, for a total of 42.
Does he plan to do more? “Not that far. I decided to take a creative break,” he said. And then there’s this reason to stop: “42 is the number related to the question of the meaning of life, for those who know British author Douglas Adams and ‘The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy’. “
I found stories about others running artists in Britain. Does anyone in Los Angeles have any shareable animal routes that runners can do on their own? Drop me a note at [email protected]
3 things to do this week
Make history with Handlebar Bike Tours.
(Sidney Gonzales)
1. Take a bike ride and learn about the pioneer women of LA. It’s Women’s History Month! LA history meets cycling on in-person city tours. Bike tours on the handlebars, a woman-owned business since 2017, introduces you to 19th-century black entrepreneur and philanthropist Biddy Mason and pioneering lawyer Clara Shortridge Foltz. “We are incorporating women’s history into our Historic Core and Skyline tours,” wrote company founder and English teacher Jennifer Nutting in an email. Tours cost $ 45, last approximately 2.5 hours, and are limited to eight participants. Learn more here.
The Butterfly Pavilion in LA is about to open.
(Photo illustration by Micah Fluellen / Los Angeles Times; Getty Images)
2. Observe the butterflies up close at the Butterfly Pavilion in LA. The LA Natural History Museum will open its seasonal butterfly pavilion on March 18. Inside, you’ll see new species for 2021: the iridescent blue morpho, Mexican blue wings, and a mottled gray and white called the cracker for the sounds it makes. Where do butterflies come from? Some are native, some are purchased from a supplier in Costa Rica. Both types of butterflies are hand reared from pupae in rooms with controlled temperature, lighting and humidity.
Then all types – neon green and black malachite, painted ladies and anise swallowtail – are released into the lodge, where they usually live for about two weeks. Do not try to touch them or put one on your finger; you can hurt them. “It can be completely silent inside,” said Forest Urban (yes, that’s his real name), responsible for the collections of living invertebrates at the museum. “You don’t even realize that there are hundreds of butterflies circling around your head.”
While you won’t see California monarchs indoors, you will find them outdoors on a walk through the surrounding natural gardens. The museum remains closed due to the pandemic, but the pavilion will open from 9:40 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday through Sunday until September 6. Pandemic rules require visitors to purchase tickets in advance ($ 6 for entry and $ 6 for parking); no more than 10 people are allowed in the butterfly room at a time. More info here.
Western gulls nest on Anacapa Island.
(Spencer Weiner / Los Angeles Times)
3. Find out what’s new in Channel Islands National Park. The boats go from Ventura to Channel Islands National Park, but what is there to do when you arrive? Park Superintendent Ethan McKinley will talk about what’s happening on the islands (Anacapa, Santa Cruz, San Miguel, Santa Rosa and Santa Barbara) and current proposals for new hikes and campingoption. Juliana Matos, the park’s biosecurity manager, will discuss the best ways to protect the islands’ fragile ecosystem from invasive species. Join the free Zoom webinar from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on March 18 by register here. It’s free and hosted by the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum.
Cool gear
Vim & Vigr Purple Reign Socks.
(Vim & Vigor)
See what fell in time for Women’s History Month. Montana-based sock manufacturer Vim & Vigr ran an online competition for a design that would honor runners, cyclists and hikers who want to show their true colors. The stunning artwork by artist Emma Covill was selected for the Limited Edition Purple Reign Socks. They are made of 58% cotton, 42% nylon and 10% elastane (latex free, for allergy sufferers). A portion of the proceeds goes to a female leadership program at the University of Montana. $ 36; order here.
The essential
Preparing to climb to the top of Mount Whitney? We have advice.
(Mary Forgione / Los Angeles Times)
Time is running out for hikers looking to apply for a permit to get to the 14,505-foot summit of Mount Whitney in the Southern Sierra near Lone Pine. Take your choice of day hike – covering the full 22 miles, 6,000 feet of gain in a single day – or backpacking and staying overnight. My colleague Rachel Schnalzer completed the hike in one day last year and shares what you need to know for a successful summit. Start by applying for a permit before March 15 (Click here for more details; permits are required from May to October). Then follow his suggested training schedule to prepare for the route in the summer. Full story here.
Social moment
Edgar McGregor, keeping nature clean.
(Edgar McGregor)
Edgar McGregor thinks a lot about the planet. The 20-year-old, who identifies as autistic, has been picking up trash on popular Eaton Canyon trails for 592 consecutive days. “I guess the real reason is because I don’t know how to express yourself other than this may be our last chance to prove to future generations that we are better than this,” he tweeted on Monday. He documented his progress @edgarrmcgregor on Twitter and intends to move on to other areas in need of help.
Collecting McGregor’s garbage is no small feat. Forestry officials say they remove more than 10 tons of trash a week from the nearby San Gabriel Canyon in the Angeles National Forest. To make his point, McGregor also posted this: “I think about the year 2100 more than I should. There’s a real chance I’m still here. There is a real chance that I will be able to meet my great-grandchildren. I wonder what I’m going to tell them about the climate crisis… I wonder if I’m going to tell them “We did it !! or “I’m so sorry …”
PS
Squaw Valley / Alpine Meadows Ski Resort.
(Brandon Skinner / Squaw Valley / Alpes Meadows)
Do you feel like you’ve missed skiing this winter? We still have time. California ski resorts offer lift tickets on weekdays. Those who visit Mammoth Mountain Monday through Friday will find two-day adult lift tickets cost $ 199 (instead of the usual $ 337). Save more if you stay overnight too. Squaw Valley / Alpine Meadows offers a reduced rate Pack of 4 midweek – four days of weekday skiing – for $ 389, or $ 97.25 per day, about 40% off regular prices. Monte Rosa in Nevada, near Lake Tahoe, offers lift tickets for $ 105 on weekdays instead of $ 145 on weekends. Conditions are good and more snow may be on the way. No walk-in tickets due to the pandemic; buy in advance online. And if you have FOMO, note that Celestial and North Star plan to stay open until April 18; Kirkwood, until April 11.
The Borrego Palm Canyon Trail in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, shown here in 2019.
(Howard Lipin / San Diego Union-Tribune)
What’s going on with the wildflowers in the desert? After modest predictions earlier in the season, it looks like a late-season “blowout” may be happening in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park in northern San Diego County. A rainstorm last week brought just under a quarter of an inch of rain Wednesday afternoon, enough to fuel a few flowers in three to six weeks. It won’t be a super bloom, but it could add color in late March or early April. Read the full story here.
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Click to view the web version of this newsletter and share it with others, and sign up to have it sent weekly to your inbox. I am Marie Forgione, and I write The Wild. I’ve been exploring the trails and the great outdoors of Southern California for four decades.
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