Winnipeg group hosts 24-hour bike-repair marathon

Sunday evening in Winnipeg marked the end of a 24-hour-long bike-repair marathon.

The Cycle of Giving, an event organized by Winnipeg Repair Education and Cycling Hub (WRENCH), saw the collection of old or broken donated bikes to be repaired during 24 hours. The fixed-up  bikes are then donated to children in need of bikes.

The 2013 edition of the event marked the third annual Cycle of Giving. Last year, the event repaired more than 200 bicycles. This year the team upped that by fixing up more than 250.

“A lot of us have known what bicycles have meant to us in our life, and every kid should have the joy of being able to ride their own bike,” Pat Krawec, WRENCH executive director, told CTV. “And we’ve seen it, because we provide programming for kids all year round, and it can really change a life.”

Leah Kirchmann, a Winnipegger and national women’s champ at the 2013 criterium championships, showed up to help out with the bikes. Other volunteers ranged from local mechanics to people who knew very little about bikes but just wanted to help out. An event that lasts for an entire day needs more than just people fixing the bikes; WRENCH also had volunteers cooking food and making holiday greeting cards.

After being repaired all the bikes were delivered to community charities who will pass them along to children.