In an Effort to Help Others, Apple Valley Man Repairs Hundreds of Bikes

Mentoring made a difference for Rick Anderson, who faced a tumultuous childhood growing up.

"I know what it’s like to grow up in a crappy household. I could’ve gone a different direction, and I didn’t," said Anderson. "I think the guidance I got from those informal situations, that was part of the reason I didn’t."

It's only natural that Anderson, an Apple Valley resident who works as an independent insurance agent, would want to give back.

For years he has mentored two boys through Kids 'n Kinship, a local nonprofit that pairs youth in Dakota County with adult mentors. But Anderson is also the mastermind behind an yearly bike sale that has raised $22,000 for Kids 'n Kinship since 2008.

This spring, Anderson will once again sell dozens of refurbished bicycles at an annual benefit is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 18.

Every year, Anderson collects down-on-their-luck bicycles from neighbors, community members and local organizations. He spends countless hours in the late summer and fall repairing and cleaning the donated bikes—shining them with steel wool, replacing cables, making adjustments to the brakes and gears.

Once the repairs are complete, he rolls them out at the community bike sale—selling them for as little as $20 or as much as $300. Last year, Anderson sold 98 bicycles—although he had 155 on display—and donated $7,789 to Kids 'n Kinship. The bike sale will take place at Anderson's home at 12738 Ethelton Way.

Anderson, who worked at cycling shops repairing Schwinn bicycles when he was young, said bike repair is in his blood.

"I like the recycling aspect of it," Anderson said. "There isn’t really a market for these used bikes. If you neighbors don’t want them or relatives don’t want them, they just hang in the garage."

Anderson developed the idea for the bike sale while repairing bikes for two boys he mentors and their family members. Now, his mission is to provide families with inexpensive bicycles—while benefiting an organization he emphatically supports.

"There are so many people that just need a little guidance, and will make that right decision and go the right way," Anderson said. "All you can do is just let them know you care, and hopefully something sparks and they make those right decisions.

"In my own case, it helped," Anderson added.