His new ‘creations’ are then given away as part of Clarion’s December ‘Spirit of Giving’. Community members take names of families in need, and aid them to make each Christmas merrier. Ring’s bikes are part of the gift giveaway.

“I have done this rebuilding work for the past few years,” said Ring. “Last year was probably the largest number of bikes which were given away. I think there were 27.”

Some were given to Ring by Steve Sebby who had closed his local hardware store a few months earlier.

Area residents are aware of what Ring volunteers to do, and many times get their no-longer-used two-wheelers to him. “I might come home and find a couple of bikes dropped off in my driveway,” Ring said. “Some of them need very little work. Some I can get back to pretty nice. Other times, I use one for parts.”

-Messenger photo by Karen Weld Brian Ring works on upgrading a bike which had been abandoned in a shed, so it can be given to a new owner and rider.

He said he most likes to get ‘first’ bicycles ready for new riders; the 12” to 20″ ones. But all sizes are given pretty quickly.

Deb Sebby, one of Clarion’s Spirit of Giving’ volunteers, said the resurrected bicycles are always a big hit.

“Many of the children with whom we work do not have bicycles,” she said. “One person’s cast off may be someone else’s treasure. Bikes make a big difference in some child’s life.”

Ring said he started working on bicycles when he was a kid.

“I learned how to fix my bike or walk,” he said. “At one time, there was quite a group from Clarion who would ride on RAGBRAI and prior to riding the event, I would go through some of the bicycles.”

While Ring works on fixing up the bikes throughout the year in the shop behind their family’s home, it is in the fall when he really gears up to get bikes ready for the Christmas giveaway. One recently rescued bike needed a new seat, a new chain, and a different shifting mechanism to make the speeded bicycle ready for a new owner.

The work doesn’t come without expenses to buy needed parts. “At times, I have fixed up a bike and sold it to get money to fix even more bicycles. Some people have contributed to help with what I do and Prairie Energy Co-op has been supportive of my efforts.”

Ring has worked at the cooperative for the past 37 years, currently serving as the REC’s foreman for the line crew.

Along with his bicycle work, Ring also enjoy woodworking and walking with his wife Nancy. “I have had the opportunity of making three cradles for each of our children, as they have had our grandchildren,” he said.

While Ring enjoys the hobby of bike riding, he confesses he doesn’t take the time to ride as much as he’d like. “I enjoy riding them,” he said, “and I enjoy working on them. It’s enjoyable for me.”