ONE OF SUMMER'S simple pleasures - the joy of children riding their own bikes - has become a mission for one Mount Airy man.
For the past 10 years, Dave Bohrer has been retrieving old or discarded bikes and repairing and refurbishing them for children whose families can't afford new ones.
He estimates he has repaired and donated more than 600 bikes.
"It keeps me off the streets," Bohrer said. "And riding a bike, having your own bike means a lot to a kid. It's a way of getting around, and a lot of kids really can't afford a new bike."
Bohrer was a member of Mount Airy Jaycees when he noticed people throwing away repairable bicycles at the group's town cleanup.
"Later, while I was helping to distribute the food baskets to the needy at Thanksgiving, I asked people, 'Could you use a bike?' and they said 'Yeah.' So that's how it all started," he said.
Since then, Bohrer has collected damaged bikes from the town cleanup, thrift shops and from his friend and fellow bike enthusiast Larry Black, who owns Mount Airy Bicycles.
"He's a godsend," Black said. "I'm a staunch preservationist. We don't like to see bikes go to a landfill, and Dave fixes them up and really gets them into the hands of people who will use them."
Bohrer donates his repaired bikes to organizations such as Neighbors in Need in Carroll County, which distributes them.
"Beginning in September, I work a couple hours or more five or six nights a week repairing bikes and getting them ready for Christmas," Bohrer said.
He looks for organizations that will distribute bikes to those in need. His bikes have been donated to flood victims in Missouri and Texas.
His reputation has grown and friends such as Black are continually passing on requests.
"Just recently I got a call from a family who was burned out of their home in New Market. The kids' bikes were destroyed, so I passed on the request to Dave," Black said.
Bohrer takes pride in his bikes, which he cleans as well.
"Sometimes, it's just a matter of polishing a frame," he said. "I make sure everything is in working order, of course, checking brakes and putting on new pads. But by the time I'm done with it, I make sure they're getting a really safe bike that looks as new as possible."
His friend Black, who has been recycling bikes for more than 30 years, said it's worth the effort. "These bikes still have a lot of life in them," he said.
Bikes can be donated by contacting Bohrer through the Mount Airy Jaycees at 301-829- 6225 or drop off bikes in repairable condition at Mount Airy Bicycles, 4540 Old National Pike, Mount Airy, contact www.Bike123.com.
Flag Day celebration
A traditional 5-kilometer run and a classic and custom car show will be part of Mount Airy's Flag Day celebration tomorrow.
Registration for the 5K run will begin at 7:30 a.m. at Mount Airy Elementary School. The race starts at 8 a.m.
Owners will display more than 50 classic and custom cars from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the parking lots at Watkins Park. Participants must pay a registration fee. The show is free to the public.
Ceremonies will begin at 10 a.m. at Watkins Park with a flag-raising and the Blake Blakston Son, who have been American Legion color guard champions from 1996 to 2001.
"We're thinking people are more aware of the importance of our freedom since Sept. 11," said Marsha Zimmerman, Flag Day committee member. "Our message is, 'Fly your flag and be proud.'"
The committee has been planning the event since October.
Residents are invited at 10:30 a.m. to take old flags to the park for a flag disposal ceremony with a color guard.
Patriotic music by Carroll County Pipes and Drums soloist William Knill and buglers from South Carroll High School will begin at 1:30 a.m.
Children will be invited to participate in forming a human flag at 1 p.m.
Proceeds will benefit the Special Olympics.
Information: 301-829-1424.
Lesa Jansen's Southwest neighborhood column appears each Friday in the Carroll County edition of The Sun.