For many, the childhood thrill of riding a bicycle — the wind in your hair and the feeling of almost flying — fades as age or mobility issues take hold. But thanks to the dedicated volunteers at Cycling Without Age Marathon County, local seniors and residents with limited mobility are getting that freedom back, one free trishaw ride at a time.
“The more people that we can give rides to, the more people can enjoy getting outside,” said Chris Filtz, Cycling Without Age board member. “Every doctor, every psychologist will tell you that getting outside in the sun, in the fresh air, is one of the absolute best things for people ... The riders get a quiet, relaxing, slow-paced ride around their community in a way that is impossible to get from the inside of a car. They get to be queen or king for a day sitting on the front of the trishaw and enjoying the ride.”
As the summer season approaches, Cycling Without Age is gearing up to hit the local trails from June through Labor Day. The entirely volunteer-run organization is currently seeking community members willing to donate a few hours a month to pedal three-wheeled trishaws and share the joy of a bike ride with those who can no longer ride for themselves.
“It’s such a relaxed, fun thing to do. It is an easy way to volunteer and the time commitment is minimal,” Filtz said. “We have a four-hour classroom training, and then we have about a two-hour on-the-road individual training just to make sure that they know how to use the machine and that they are safe. And after that, they can immediately start volunteering for the season.”
Volunteers, called “pilots,” transport up to two passengers at a time on the electrically-assisted trishaws for one-hour rides in various areas of the community. Riders can be picked up or can meet the trishaw at a public location to start their ride.
Rides are also regularly scheduled out of the Landing at the Wausau YMCA. Riders do not need to be a member of the Landing to schedule a ride starting at that location.
“They can call the Landing and they will let them know what times and slots are available for a ride Monday through Friday. And all they have to do is give their name and phone number and then show up at the ride time and we will pick them up right at the Landing,” Filtz said. “We will take them anywhere in the general area of the facility that they are picked up at. So for the Landing downtown, very commonly they go along the entire River Life path. They get to see their riverfront at a pace they wouldn’t normally do. A lot of people with mobility issues, they’re never going to be able to walk that whole thing or get up those hills, so they just get to sit in the front and enjoy their day.”
For riders who are looking for that maximum childhood bike-riding experience, Cycling Without Age partners with Briq’s in Weston and Thomas Street Dairy Queen in Wausau to provide riders with a free ice cream treat if they visit those locations.
“We ride over there if they choose,” Filtz said. “The owners of those facilities will give the riders a free ice cream cone, which is really, it’s just lovely.”
The rides are provided at no-charge and pilots cannot accept tips.
Cycling Without Age is currently looking for new pilots to join their volunteer ranks. The organization will host an annual training on Friday, May 1 and Wednesday, May 29 from 5-9 p.m. in Wausau.
Prospective pilots can email cwa.marathoncounty@gmail.com to secure their training spot. Pilots must be at least 18 years of age, posses a valid driver’s license and have the ability to pedal an electric three-wheeled bicycle with passengers.
For more information, visit cyclingwithoutage.com/marathon-county.
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here