Bike My Valentine

A Lil Swap Meet by Grassroots Gravel

Benefitting local nonprofit, the Green Chile Bike Bank!

  • Find new-to-you gear and parts or sell parts or bike gear hibernating in your home

  • Learn some new skills and meet new folks

  • Make jewelry with re-used and recycled bike parts

We’re throwing a lil Swap Meet this February with the Green Chile Bike Bank (GCBB), a local 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides bikes and maintenance to folks experiencing homelessness and financial insecurity in the region.

Read the details on selling below so you have a space…and check out the other activities too! Make it a date!

Date:

  • February 17th, 2024, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm

Location:

Activity Schedule:

  • 10:00 am - Swap Meet begins

    • It’s fun to chat and check out bike parts. This is a place for new folks and experienced riders to connect. We hope to all learn something and meet somebody new! Check out the selling details below and reserve a spot if you’re planning to bring gear.

  • 11:00 am - Skill-Building: Flat tires & basic shifting issues

    • Understanding how to make basic repairs can improve your confidence on every ride and broaden your horizons on and off the bike. We’ll go over the essentials of how flat tires happen, how to avoid them, and how to fix them. We’ll also cover some basics of what can cause shifting issues on a ride and how to manage them. This is a clinic for learning. We will not be performing repairs during this session.

  • 12:00 pm - DIY bike-part earrings & bracelets

    • Make your own earrings or bracelet from repurposed bike parts! Donation to Green Chile Bike Bank encouraged. Available while supplies last on a first-come, first-served basis.

  • 1:00 pm - Skill-Building: Hydrating & nutrition for long rides

    • Ever wonder how you can keep your energy up on long rides, or unsure where to even start on taking a longer ride? We’ll cover some essentials of hydration and nutrition for rides, and we’ll share options that include everyday common items as well as sport-specific mixes and snacks.

  • 2:00 pm - Swap Meet ends

Buying & Selling - How it works - READ THIS

  • Looking to buy?

    • Just show up for the swap meet! There is no entry fee for buyers, though donations to Green Chile Bike Bank are always welcome. Bring cash or have a plan to find an ATM.

      • Buyers and sellers are fully responsible for defining the terms and conditions of their sales/trades. Grassroots Gravel, Fuel & Iron, Green Chile Bike Bank, and associated volunteers and partners take no responsibility or ownership of transactions and terms.

    Looking to sell?

    • You need to reserve your spot! Space is limited, so get your spot today. Reserve a spot by making a donation to Green Chile Bike Bank at this link. We suggest $15...but every bit matters and we know everyone is coming from a different level of finances. Do what you can, big or small. GCBB is entirely volunteer-run and has immense need to replace their equipment & supplies. Register here to sell.

    • Each spot includes ~3’x3’ of table space. We’re going to focus on making the most of the awesome (and tight) space we’re working with at Fuel & Iron, so be sure to leave a note with your reservation donation on how much stuff you plan to bring. There’s a max of one complete bike per reserved space.

    • Equipment should be in functional condition. This is a bike gear swap. So…bike gear and equipment only.

      • Buyers and sellers are fully responsible for defining the terms and conditions of their sales/trades. Grassroots Gravel, Fuel & Iron, Green Chile Bike Bank, and associated volunteers and partners take no responsibility or ownership of transactions and terms.

Green Chile Bike Bank: Changing Lives with Bikes

From the GCBB website: We are a group of cyclists with a purpose. Most of us have worked in social services for people experiencing homelessness and economic insecurity, or did experience that ourselves, or both. We know the importance of a safe, sturdy bicycle when other forms of transit are inaccessible. We know the utility, and beauty, and just plain fun of a well-tuned bike.

It is with this understanding that we work to improve cycling access, both to bikes and for bikes, for the whole community.

Why do this? Pueblo needs it. It’s as simple as that.

Learn more here.

Giving someone a bike might seem like a small thing. But giving someone a repaired, restored or recycled bike can help them get to work or school when taking the bus isn't an option. And getting to work or school can boost their independence, contribute to their economic stability, and support their social participation. It's no small thing at all! - Green Chile Bike Bank