Stone Bicycle Coalition

Category: Uncategorized

  • 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/

  • More Riders. More Joy.

    Last week we celebrated a huge moment: a Rapid City woman pedaled again after 13 years away from cycling due to a knee injury.

    This week, the movement spread—this time at the Minneluzahan Senior Center, where two riders from two generations rediscovered the joy of riding.

    One was her granddaughter, in her 20s, stopping by for a refresher. It had been a while since she’d ridden, and she rolled in looking a little unsure… but not for long.

    The second rider was a Minneluzahan member in her 70s. Same gentle prep, same patient support, and the exact same spark when she felt those wheels turning again.

    With a quick tune-up and a little coaching—balance drills, slow starts, knee-friendly posture—those first cautious pedals turned into a confident cruise and a big smile.

    Free Bike Update: Two Placed, One to Go

    We’ve now placed two of our three free bikes:

    • Sarah — commuting on a Giant internal-hub commuter with a rack
    • Joe — rolling local paths on a vintage Sprite

    If you (or someone you know) needs a bike for transportation, mobility, or independence, reach out:

    stonebicyclecoalition@gmail.com

    Contact

    We respond in order of requests and arrange pickup or delivery in the Rapid City area.

    Help Us Keep the Wheels Turning

    Every bike we repair, donate, or teach on keeps more people rolling in the Black Hills.

    You can support the movement:

    • Donate a bike (any condition)
    • Sponsor parts or a rebuild
    • Connect us with someone who needs wheels or a tune-up

  • Rory’s Ride: Tackling the 4th Annual Fall Fondo in Custer State Park


    The 4th Annual Fall Fondo, hosted by Mat Peters, brought together an incredible community of cyclists for another unforgettable day in the Black Hills. Representing Stone Bicycle Coalition, Rory took on the challenge for the second year in a row — and this time, it was even better.

    Covering 44 miles with over 4,000 feet of climbing, this route blends gravel and pavement across the scenic Custer State Park and the legendary Wildlife Loop. Riders were treated to smooth descents reaching speeds up to 42 mph, endless rolling hills, and wide-open South Dakota skies.

    The weather couldn’t have been more ideal — around 79°F with clear skies and a gentle breeze, creating the perfect backdrop for spotting local wildlife. Along the way, participants encountered bison, deer, elk, and even a pair of buffalograzing along the route.

    Beyond the challenge, what makes the Fall Fondo truly special is the community. About 75 riders came together with a shared spirit of adventure, encouragement, and camaraderie. This event isn’t just about pushing limits — it’s about connecting, celebrating the ride, and soaking in the Black Hills’ natural beauty.

    Whether you’re a gravel grinder, a road enthusiast, or simply someone who loves the outdoors, the Fall Fondo is a must for your cycling calendar. Big thanks again to Mat Peters and all who make this ride one of South Dakota’s hidden gems.

    Whether you’re a gravel grinder, a road enthusiast, or simply someone who loves the outdoors, the Fall Fondo is a must for your cycling calendar. Big thanks again to Mat Peters and all who make this ride one of South Dakota’s hidden gems.

     See Rory’s full Strava activity →