Politics & Government
The Early Bird Gets the Bike
A Grayslake resident arrived 90 minutes before Libertyville's annual Bike Resale opened in order to be first in line and get first pickings. He came home with two new racing bikes.
Almost 100 village area residents rode away with a great deal on a used bike on April 2. The sale began at 8 a.m. in the lodge at and within a half hour, most of the Rockhoppers, Iron Horse Mountain Bikes, Huffies, Treks, Fujis and Raleighs for adults, teens and children were sold.
John Colgate, a Grayslake resident, arrived 90 minutes before the sale began to be sure he would be first in line.
“I want the best choice in bikes,” he said.
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At the Bike Resale a few years ago, he found five antique Schwinns. On Saturday morning, he was looking for bikes for himself and a few friends and purchased two racing bikes.
The bikes were priced from $10 for a girls 10-inch with training wheels to $575 for a Burley tandem. But everyone left with what they considered a great deal for their purchase.
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“It’s very good deal, don’t you think so?” asked Rina Okonkwo, who was shopping for two bikes for her grandchildren. Her grandson, Kene Ogbuefi, 6, was very happy with his neon yellow Next brand 12-inch bike.
“It’s good. It’s my size and I’m getting better at riding it,” he said.
Not all bikes are destined for regular use. At least one bike, a 20-inch boys’ Ultrashock, will be used competitively.
Kelly Bott, a Lindenhurst resident came to the sale searching for a road bike to compete in Gilberts’ Muddy Buddy race this fall. Last year, she and a friend competed and the bike they used didn’t make it out of the race. They paid $30 for the Ultrashock.
“This bike will definitely serve its’ purpose,” said Bott.
The sale, which has been held annually in April for at least 20 years, is slightly different every year, depending on the economy and the bikes brought in for it, said Julie Ludwig, recreation manager for the village.
Area residents drop off used bikes the Friday before the event, set a price for them, and come back Saturday to collect their money. The village keeps 15 percent of the money raised to help with programs.
Bikes not picked up at the end of the sale are donated to a women’s shelter in Gurnee.
