BikeFlights.com’s Buck Up for Bikes beneficiary Trips for Kids recently held an auction for a one-of-a-kind bike to raise money for their Pedaling Forward to a Brighter Future Campaign and in remembrance of comedian Robin Williams.
The bike itself, a Bianchi San Jose, is nothing extraordinarily hard to come by, but the bike’s former owner and his silver Sharpie decoration along the top tube make it quite unique.
It’s well known that comedian Robin Williams was a prolific bike collector, but he was also an ardent supporter of Trips for Kids, even serving as an Honorary Board Member.
In 2012 Williams donated to Trips for Kids, among several bags of cycling clothing, a Bianchi San Jose with a leopard print saddle. National Support and Sponsorship Manager Andy Phelps thought to have Williams leave his mark on the bike. Williams didn’t hesitate to conjure a joke no one would be surprised came from his brain. His inscription in silver Sharpie on the top tube reads, “Team Viagra: Ride hard, ride long. Robin Williams” making it a truly one-of-a-kind bike.
Last week Trips for Kids put the bike on eBay, promoting it as #RememberingRobin, in hopes of raising funds for a new 5-year, three phase initiative launching in June called Pedaling Forward to a Brighter Future Campaign.
“The auction raised more money than any of us thought it would, bringing in $2,425!” Phelps said, adding, “It just shows what a one-of-a-kind item and beloved person Robin Williams was.”
If you share in the Trips for Kids mission, envisioning “a world where kids from all walks of life have the opportunity to know the joy of riding a bike and the freedom to explore the natural world on two wheels,” there are several easy ways you can contribute:
1. Next time you ship a bike with BikeFlights.com choose to donate $1 to Trips for Kids as you check out.
2. Check out the Trips for Kids Recyclery Store and purchase some cycling gear donated by their sponsors.
3. Go to the Trips for Kids website and see how you can get involved with a chapter near you.
💝@Regranned from @ktvu2 - Golden Gate Park’s Sharon Meadow is being renamed in honor of the late Bay Area actor/comedian Robin Williams #RememberingRobin - #regrann
