Stone Bicycle Coalition

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  • A Bike for CD — One More Out the Door

    Today a refurbed white KHS hybrid rolled out of The Quarry and into the hands of a rider we’ll call CD.

    Why this one mattered

    CD has been on our waitlist since April. His existing bike needs repairs he can’t afford — and where he lives in Rapid City, a broken bike isn’t a hobby problem. It’s a commute problem. It’s getting to work. It’s getting groceries. It’s the difference between independence and being stuck.

    That’s the gap the Stone Bicycle Coalition exists to close.

    The bike

    A refurbed KHS flat-bar hybrid — aluminum frame, 700c wheels, mechanical rim brakes. White and clean. A no-frills, ride-ready workhorse, inspected and tuned by our volunteer crew at The Quarry.

    [Photo: SBC-002 — the white KHS side profile, before handoff]

    It’s exactly the kind of bike the wait list keeps asking for: simple, lightweight, low-maintenance, the kind you can park outside the job site and trust to be there at the end of the shift.

    The gift

    We didn’t charge a thing.

    Bike out the door. Lock included so it stays his. No invoice, no sponsorship ask, no fine print. That’s the whole point.

    How to keep this happening

    Every bike we hand out is bankrolled by someone — a donated bike, a sponsored refurb, a check written to the Coalition. Three ways you can put the next one on the road:

    • Donate a bike or parts. Old bike in the garage? Box of cassettes you’ll never use? Drop it at The Quarry. We refurb it; somebody rides it.
    • Sponsor the next rider. $150 covers the parts, tubes, brake pads, and shop time to send another bike out the door the way CD’s went today.
    • Chip in any amount. Locks, helmets, lights, tubes — the small stuff adds up. Every dollar stays in Rapid City.

    Reach us at info@stonebicyclecoalition.com or stonebicyclecoalition.com. We’ll get you connected.

    One bike out the door today. More to come.

    — Stone Bicycle Coalition

  • 8 Over 7 — One Rider’s Journey

    I rolled out of Cheyenne Crossing on May 15 with a loaded bike, a Garmin inReach pinging home, and a route Jason had redrawn — denser, higher, more honest. Three days later I came off Terry Peak with everything I rode in on, seven summits in my legs, and a lot of new respect for He Sapa.

    “It’s becoming a classic annual Black Hills dirt tour to iconic peaks and high points. It’s special to me because of the routes and places it takes you. The time invested in perfecting the route. Also the camaraderie of taking on the challenges with like minded riders.”

    — Perry Jewett, founder of 8 Over 7

    Day Distance Climbing Moving Max Speed Start Temp
    Day 1 — Spearfish → Hill City 80.11 mi 7,431 ft 9:01:19 38.3 mph 75 °F
    Day 2 — High rim → Custer 60.28 mi 5,371 ft 6:21:34 34.9 mph 64 °F
    Day 3 — Spine → Terry Peak 33.04 mi 2,448 ft 3:35:52 29.8 mph 43 °F
    Total 173.4 mi 15,250 ft 18:58 — —

    ~11,300 calories. 8,276 kJ of work. About 19 hours of pedaling spread across three days. Honest climbing came in at 15,250 ft — roughly 2,000 more than the “around 13,000” we’d been quoting. Jason’s denser line was, as advertised, more honest about elevation.

    The crew

    Perry J., Zach, Garick, Joel, Bryce, Jason, Leif H., Phil J., Logan, Jake R., Chris G., Aaron D., Pat A., Ryan H., Rory S., Jeff B.

    Sixteen riders. One route. The camaraderie Perry talks about above is not abstract — it’s what gets you over the next climb when the legs say no.

    The ride

    Day 1 dropped south through Rochford and Mystic to Sylvan — smooth gravel until it isn’t. Day 2 was the high rim: Bear, Grand View, Odakota, Green, hours above 7,000 feet where the horizon turns from spruce-dark to plains-tan. Day 3 ran the spine north past Crows Nest and Crooks Tower to finish at Terry Peak. Honest, not euphoric — the kind of finish where you know exactly which parts you’d come back for.

    Top efforts

    • Day 1 PR — Lachstring to Cheyenne Crossing — 28:43 (5.14 mi, 10.7 mph, 183 W avg)
    • Day 2 climb — Reno Gulch — 1:13:53 (6.51 mi @ 3.5%, VAM 299)
    • Day 3 closer — Terry Peak Summit Rd. — 38:38 (3.14 mi @ 4.8%, VAM 379)

    The full per-day breakdown — every effort, every climb, the Garmin and Strava traces — lives at 8over7.com.

    Per-day activity data:

     

    Why this matters to the Coalition

    Stone Bicycle Coalition exists to make this kind of riding — or any kind of riding — accessible to anyone in Rapid City who wants it. The 8 Over 7 is one end of that spectrum; a kid picking out their first earn-a-bike at the Quarry is the other. Both ride the same roads home.

    Full recap with maps, GPX, and the Ride Log: 8over7.com

    — Rory Stone, Co-Founder, Stone Bicycle Coalition

  • Pedal for Empathy: Thank You, Rapid City

    On Saturday, May 2, neighbors from across Rapid City rolled out from Hanson-Larsen Memorial Park for the first Pedal for Empathy — a community ride and trail cleanup hosted by Stone Bicycle Coalition. We came together to share coffee, ride at a casual pace through our public spaces, and leave the bike paths a little better than we found them.

    How the day went

    The morning started with coffee, donuts, and ice-cold water at HLMP — a chance to meet riders before we wheeled out. From there we pedaled together along the Rapid City bike path system, stopping along the way to grab gloves and bags and clean up the corridors we ride every day. We wrapped at Acme Bikes around 1:00 PM for community, conversation, and a post-ride pizza spread.

    A donation to Feeding South Dakota

    One of our promises to the American Empathy Project was that the grant would do double duty for our neighbors. We’re proud to share that Stone Bicycle Coalition donated $350 to Feeding South Dakota as part of this event — supporting hunger relief work right here in Rapid City and across the state.

    Thank you to our partners

    • City of Rapid City Parks & Recreation — for the partnership, the cleanup gear support, and Melissa Petersen’s hands-on coordination.
    • Acme Bikes — for hosting the post-ride rendezvous and being a constant ally to Rapid City cyclists.
    • Minneluzahan Senior Citizen Center — for being our home base community partner.
    • American Empathy Project and the American Humanist Association — for selecting Stone Bicycle Coalition from over 600 applications nationwide and funding this event.
    • Every rider, volunteer, and neighbor who showed up. Empathy is showing up — and you did.

    What’s next

    Pedal for Empathy was the start, not the end. Stone Bicycle Coalition rides and gathers throughout the year — community rides, the Quarry bike marketplace, free bike refurbishment, and our open-source bike co-op toolkit are all moving forward. Follow along on Instagram @stonebicyclecoalition, or reach out at stonebicyclecoalition@gmail.com if you want to ride, volunteer, or donate a bike.

    Ride. Clean up. Connect. Give back. See you on the next one.

  • Pedal for Empathy: Community Ride & Trail Cleanup — May 2

    Stone Bicycle Coalition invites you to Pedal for Empathy — a free community bike ride and trail cleanup through Rapid City on Saturday, May 2, 2026.

    Event Details

    • Date: Saturday, May 2, 2026
    • Time: 10:30 AM
    • Meeting Point: Hanson-Larsen Memorial Park (HLMP), Rapid City
    • Cost: FREE
    • Who: Everyone! All ages, all skill levels, families welcome

    The Schedule

    10:30 AM — Coffee & Donuts at HLMP — Meet up at Hanson-Larsen Memorial Park. Grab a coffee, a donut, and meet your fellow riders before we head out.

    Late Morning — Community Ride & Trail Cleanup — We’ll pedal together along Rapid City’s bike path system at a casual, social pace. This isn’t a race — it’s neighbors riding together. Along the way, we grab gloves and bags and clean up the paths and greenways we ride on. Cleanup supplies provided.

    ~1:00 PM — Rendezvous at Acme Bikes — After the ride and cleanup, we regroup at Acme Bikes for community, conversation, and to wrap up the day together.

    What to Bring

    • Your bike (any type — road, mountain, cruiser, BMX, whatever you’ve got)
    • Helmet (recommended — we’ll have free helmets and lights available)
    • Water bottle
    • Sun protection
    • Comfortable clothes you don’t mind getting dirty
    • Good attitude

    Don’t have a bike? Contact us and we can help — stonebicyclecoalition@gmail.com

    About the Grant

    Pedal for Empathy is funded by the American Empathy Project, a national initiative by the American Humanist Association. Stone Bicycle Coalition was selected from over 600 applications nationwide. A portion of the grant will be donated to Feeding South Dakota to support food security in our community.

    Partners

    • City of Rapid City Parks & Recreation
    • Acme Bikes
    • Minneluzahan Senior Citizen Center
    • American Empathy Project (American Humanist Association)

    Get Involved

    Follow us on Instagram @stonebicyclecoalition for updates.

    Questions? Email stonebicyclecoalition@gmail.com

    No registration required. Just show up, ride, and give back.

    Sign Up

    Registration isn’t required, but signing up helps us plan for coffee, donuts, and supplies. Takes 30 seconds.

    ← Back

    Thank you for your response. ✨

    You’re signed up! We’ll see you May 2 at 10:30 AM at Hanson-Larsen Memorial Park. Bring your bike and your good vibes!

  • Stone Bicycle Coalition Is Joining the American Empathy Project

    We’re excited to share that Stone Bicycle Coalition is participating in the American Empathy Project this spring.

    On Saturday, May 2, 2026, communities across the country will come together for a national day of service organized by the American Humanist Association. The goal is simple: show up for your neighbors, take action, and build connection through empathy.

    Stone Bicycle Coalition will be hosting Pedal for Empathy—a community bike ride and street cleanup right here in Rapid City.

    What Is Pedal for Empathy?

    It’s a morning of riding, cleaning, and connecting:

    • Community bike ride through Rapid City’s urban bike corridors—casual pace, all experience levels, families welcome
    • Street and trail cleanup along the route—supplies provided
    • Community gathering afterward with food and a chance to meet your neighbors

    No experience required. No fancy bike needed. Just show up.

    The Details

    • When: Saturday, May 2, 2026
    • Time: Morning (exact time coming soon)
    • Where: Rapid City (meeting location TBA)
    • Cost: Free
    • Who: Everyone. Families. Kids. First-timers. Seasoned riders. You.

    Don’t have a bike? Reach out and we’ll help you find one. That’s not a barrier.

    Why We’re Doing This

    Cycling is one of the most democratic forms of transportation—affordable, accessible, and human-scale. When you’re on a bike, you see your city differently. You notice the streets that need care. You see your neighbors.

    Pedal for Empathy is about taking that feeling and turning it into action. Ride together, clean together, eat together. That’s it. That’s the whole idea.

    Stay In the Loop

    We’ll be sharing route details, timing, and more as May 2 gets closer. Follow us on Instagram at @stone_bicycle_coalition for updates.

    See you on May 2, Rapid City.

  • Pedaling for Alex & Democracy

    This past Saturday, Stone Bike Co joined 20 cyclists for “Pedaling for Alex and Democracy” – a community solidarity ride hosted by Josh Bruhn as part of the cycling industry’s “Ride Together, Stand Together” movement.                

    The Ride                                                                                                             

     Under overcast skies, we rolled out for 7 miles through the community. The turnout was strong and the energy even stronger – 20 riders united, pedaling with purpose.                                                                                            

     Why We Rode                                                                                                          

    This ride answered the call from Salsa Cycles and bike shops across the country to show up, ride together, and stand together. Cycling has always been about community. Saturday reminded us why.    

    Thank You                                                                                                            

    Big thanks to Josh Bruhn for organizing and to everyone who came out. This is what showing up looks like.          

  • Little Wheels Holiday Giveaway – Win a Strider + Old MacDonald’s Farm Family Pass

    We’re giving away a brand-new yellow 12-inch Strider Sport balance bike AND a 2026 Family Season Pass (admits 4) to Old MacDonald’s Farm in Rapid City.

    Giveaway runs now through midnight December 20, 2025  

    Winner announced December 20, 2025

    How to enter  

    – Every $5 donated at Donation = 1 entry  

      (Donate $25 = 5 entries, $50 = 10 entries, etc.)  

    – OR fill out the contact form at Contact for 1 free entry

    Open to everyone – grandparents, parents, aunts, uncles – anyone who wants to surprise a little rider this Christmas.

    Good luck and thank you for helping us keep more kids on bikes!

  • Great meeting at Black Hills Works!

    The Stone Bicycle Coalition team went through 18 bikes and adult trikes. We finished with 15 fully operational and ready to ride, and 3 that just need a little more brake work and new tubes. We’re hoping to return December 9th to wrap up the last three.

    Huge thank you to Black Hills Works for the opportunity to help get these wheels rolling again. Nothing better than seeing residents ready to ride!

    Trikes Bicycles Repair

  • Community Workshop: Fleet Bikes Maintenance for Black Hills Works

    We’ll be at Black Hills Works Repair Workshop on Tuesday, November 18, from 3–5 PM!

    We’re gathering as a community to roll up our sleeves, review the bike inventory, and make sure each one is ready to ride. Every repair and adjustment helps get another set of wheels out on the road — supporting mobility, freedom, and joy through cycling.

    These workshops aren’t just about fixing bikes — they’re about connecting with each other, sharing what we know, and building a stronger cycling community together. Whether you wrench regularly or just want to see what we do, you’re welcome to stop by and be part of it.

    When: Tuesday, November 18, 3–5 PM

    Where: Black Hills Works Repair Workshop

    What: Reviewing and tuning up bikes to get them ready for use

  • Meet Candy — and a Huge Thanks to Sarah!

    We’re sending a big shoutout to our new friend Sarah, who just took her freshly donated red Giant bike — now named “Candy” — out for her first ride!

    “The bike’s new name is Candy and this was her inaugural ride! I only made it around the block—but this morning I went twice as far. Thank you again!!!!”

    Stories like Sarah’s remind us why we do what we do — every donated bike means new opportunities, fresh air, and a few more smiles out on the road.

    If you’d like to sponsor a bike donation or connect us with someone who could use a ride, we’d love to hear from you. Every connection helps us get another set of wheels rolling in our community.

    stonebicyclecoalition@gmail.com
    stonebicyclecoalition.com/contact/