Just a quick update, after a few short months of effort, our new bike shop was loaded on a truck and headed south to Houston Tuesday PM. Final tally was 317 Quality Bikes, Dozen Crates of tools and bike supplies, Dozen Crates of books and school supplies and a few “surprises” for Ngoma.

As they say, for every door that closes another must open.  I thought of this as we shut and locked the container yesterday.  Next time we see it, it will be in Ngoma Namibia and well on its way to being a solid operational bike shop.

In other news; Austin Lehman Adventures is pleased to announce we have agreed to create and run a Bike Tour in Italy this fall with proceeds going to support the Namibia side of the B4H Operations.  Check out www.austinlehman.com/b4h-italy (join us if you can!!) I am also knee deep in creating our new adventure to Namibia that will have us renting bikes from our shop in Ngoma.

Additional exciting news, we are tentatively looking at the village of Katima Mulilo on the Namibia/Zambia border for next year’s efforts.  We will visit Katima Mulilo this summer when we visit Ngoma (about 55 km apart).

And finally, one more big thank you…  as promised,  we will be doing something a bit more public and formal in the weeks ahead (after I get caught up with my life), but I have to extend a warm heartfelt thank you to everyone that has either volunteered their time, (Carol, Walt, Sarah and Gary;  The A-Team, just name a few) and or bikes or services…  Mark and JoAnne and Montana Cycling have been beyond generous,  Doug at Strong’s Crane Service (we would still have the container on the ground had he not stepped up), everyone at Austin Lehman Adventures (especially my partner Paul) who have helped and or supported our efforts, Dave and CJ who donated time, bikes and money (I think they call that a trifecta (Jim at the Spoke Shop for some Dozen Bikes, Bill at the Heights Wal-Mart for collecting a “pile” of Bikes,  Bob in Lockwood for his 50 plus bikes and Bud out in Roundup for his dozen, again, just to hit a few… Can’t over look the dozens (and dozens) that called each and every night (or dropped off) to generously donate that “favorite” bike that has been hanging in the garage for years…..   Just far too many to list here, will do you ALL justice soon (or at least try)…  just trust we know who you are and truly appreciate everything you have done to make this possible.  FYI we have a great start on next year, as the bikes keep rolling in…..

Billings can be extremely proud of what collectively we have accomplished, we are truly making life better for those that need it most.  Thank you!

And remember……

One bike can change a life. One life can change a community. One community can shape a nation. One nation can alter the world!

PS: Track us on the web at www.b4hmontana.org or on facebook at www.facebook.com/b4hmontana

Thank You!

Later that day, we collected over a two dozen donated bicycles at our first bicycle drop at the corner of King and Shiloh!  What’s more, we’ve had people stopping by Austin Lehman Adventures throughout the past weeks, dropping off bikes.  The Spoke Shop donated over a dozen bicycles last week and the first weekend in March, we spent an entire Saturday going around Billings picking up over 100 bicycles!

I apologize if I have been a pest, I just want to make sure we continue to get the word out and keep everyone in the loop as to how our collection efforts for Bicycles for Humanity are paying off and the schedule of upcoming events. 

First the update… Things are going really, really well, thank you!  We have our container and at last estimate over 400 bikes…  are goal continues to be 500 and we will need to “cull the herd” a bit and only ship proper bikes for the conditions.  The rest will go to a similar project (next up) here in Billings.  We have also collected over 200 children’s books (can always use more) and one brand new PC for the school in Ngoma (donated by yours truly).

Now for the schedule…

Last LAST chance to drop: Saturday April 3rd until 2 and Sunday starting at 11 at Pierce RV

Last Billings Bike Drop:  Saturday March 27^th 2:00-5:00 PM Montana Cycling corner of King and Shilo.  Please, clean out the garage or shed and bring that old bike and see that it goes to a good cause (as opposed to eventually ending up in the landfill).  The last 2 weekends have been awesome and we are getting lots of bikes.  We still need a 100 plus…. Tell your friends, co-workers, neighbors.  Help us get the word out.  Please and thank you.

Big Sky Beer and Bikes: Saturday April 3^rd at the Cinnamon Lodge.  Ryan and Morgan are putting on a B4H Party and have been collecting bikes in the Big Sky Community.  If you are down skiing be sure to stop by; it is sure to be a good time.  Carol and I will be driving down a truck and trailer to load up what they collect.  I will send out a reminder as we get closer.

Pack Out Party: Sunday (and into Monday if need be) April 11^th 9:00 AM until done.  The container is staged in the big lot south of Sportsmen’s Warehouse off Zoo Drive (Pierce RV Property)  and the “Pack Out Party” will be held there.  We will be loading our container for pick up and shipping to Namibia.  We can use all the help we can get.  All we have to do is simple pull off the peddles and zip tie to the frame and turn bars sideways. We will be collecting right up until we shut the doors.  Should be a good time, we need help packing, stacking and wrenching, as well as just cheering us on.  Don’t be shy, come on by! If all goes as planned the truckers will be up the trailer Tuesday and it will start on its two month journey to Ngoma… (truck to Houston, ship to Walvis Bay and Truck to Ngoma).  Arriving in Ngoma late June early July.

As mentioned in addition to bikes, bikes and more bikes, we can use good condition children’s books and of course CASH. I have never been good at fund raising (collecting bikes is way more fun).  But the truth is we still need to raise over $10,000 (we have already raised close to 12k).  We can always use more, that is just the minimum.  The more cash we raise, the more help we can be on “the other end.”  You can send a check to B4H Montana 4424 Harvest Lane Billings MT 59106 or make a donation on online!

A SINCERE THANK YOU to all that have helped to date and coming up.  The support has been nothing less than amazing!    Be sure to check us out on Face Book for continued updates www.facebook.com/b4hmontana

Have a great day!!

And remember:

One bike can change a life. One life can change a community. One community can shape a nation. One nation can alter the world.