Guest Bloggers

Recycled Bikes for Kids: Dirty Fondo

If you’ve ever been out + about with Ron King and some kids walk by, you’ve probably heard him ask, “Why aren’t you guys on bikes?”.  Ron’s nonprofit organization, aptly named Recycle Bikes for Kids, provides bicycles to children.  Since 2008, Recycle Bikes for Kids has given away 16,000 bikes – all for free!

Recycle Bikes for Kids, a 501(c)3 nonprofit, relies on bike donations from the community. Volunteers repair + clean the bikes and encourage the kids work on the bikes for themselves.

The hottest trend in cycling today is riding gravel roads, so Ron created a “gravel grinding” event to help with the budget. After consulting with his Board of Directors and a friend, bicycle guru Tony Karklins, the “Dirty Fondo” became a reality.

The DiRTY FONDO is staged at Marlsgate Plantation near Scott, Arkansas.  Riders venture out across Lonoke County, crossing Bayou Meto numerous times, stopping at planned rest stops along the way and return to Marlsgate Plantation.  Participants vie for prizes by picking up tiny rubber duckies, painted rocks and cowbells and match those numbered items to prizes at the finish line. The Mass Start is at 8:00 am, but later start times are available.  Be back by noon for Lunch On The Grounds, sponsored by Garver USA.  This is a southern style box lunch catered by the Marlsgate Plantation staff. Enjoy a craft beer and a champagne toast by Ron. Riders also receive a “swag bag” full of cycling related items.

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This year’s DiRTY FONDO is sponsored by ARVEST BANK.  The 48 mile Dirty Levee Route, the longest route of three offered, is sponsored by CDI ContractorsFlyway Brewing, a North Little Rock craft beer brewery, is sponsoring a new gravel bike giveaway as well.  The gravel bike will be ordered from Arkansas Cycling and Fitness once the winner decides on size and color.

Tickets to the event can be found at www.bikereg.com/arvest-dirty-fondo. Online registration deadline is Saturday, May 18, 2019 at 10:00 PM

Recycle Bike for Kids | 717 E 10th Street | North Little Rock | 501-563-8264
Inviting Arkansas

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