Seems that the ball is rolling forward with TSR, and with getting things a bit more structured with the whole process. I have sent out many items to people, and am not having things sent to me – for donations to others. I want to make certain that people are not going to feel slighted or hurt if I run with this ball. It is my intent that once I have received an item, I have full autonomy to do with the item as I deem proper. I have thought of a few things that may make the whole process as smooth as possible. If anyone does not like me spear heading this…let me know. I think that it is very valid that a “board” be created of some of us who fit into diffrent segments to get things done…and even have regional folks who can take items in their area as opposed to me taking everything to my home.
Any item that is shipped to me with out a known recipient in mind for the item can be returned to the original owner at any time the original owner has a personal need for the item. I don’t want to be a warehouse, and keep peoples junk till they need it…I want to get things, and donate things on a rapid basis.
I would like you all to let me know of people in your local clubs that may need items. You see a person who could use some pedals…I will ship the pedals to you to gift to the person who could use them. I don’t want folks begging me for things, this will all work better if we as a community see a need, and then take care of the need. This is not even a “money” thing. Maybe a person who has a ton of money does not have and does not justify the move to clipless pedals…we will give that person pedals to “try”. They can keep them, borrow them upgrade them, what ever. You don’t need to be poor to benefit from the opportunity to get things from TSR that will improve your love for the sport.
I think that it would make allot of sense to collect old but good cycling shoes. I would say that more often than not the things that I see people needing are shoes, pedals, aero bars (clip on) and things like that. I don’t want anyones 10 year old stinky worn out shoes that they just didn’t want to throw away…you all get the point there.
It will be a goal to build entire bikes that can be donated to folks. I think we have all seen that kid who is fast as hell on his MTN bike riding with slicks at the Tri…I think we need to get that kid a bike.
Going forward, I plan to go to the companies that make bikes (Trek, Giant, Specialized, ABG and on and on) and see of they can donate bikes to TSR that can be used at events for people. For instance, a Chicago area Duathlon or Tri where we can have 20+ bikes there of different sizes for people to use if they don’t have their own bike. I could see this process work well in any large city where a crowd of 20k plus would be at a race – Chicago Tri for instance. Special Treks would fit in fine, could be used for people with no road bike, and for people who have a bike break or what ever at the race (maybe just a grand dream).
I would like to approach shops and distributors about donating old stock that is just laying around that they know will never sell cause it is 8 or 9 speed not 10. (that would be the entire inventory at the Yellow Jersey in Madison Wi).
Of course you do realize the scrutiny you’re in for, regardless of what you do, right? We’ve kinda been down this road before, haven’t we? Odds are, along the way, your decisions are bound to piss somebody off. You certainly seem the type to handle it though, so count me in.
I have a couple of moderately used clip-on aero bars that need decent homes. Just let me know where to send them.
I like what you are doing and have no problem with you plan, thank you… just like to add, if you receive something and upgrade or are not in need “just pay it forward” and keep this rolling.
Do you have anything in place for people to “track inventory”?
For one thing if you end up with 300 pair of shoes…well likely you won’t want anymore and people will know not to send more. Another benefit would be the opposite effect of “I have an extra I was going to keep, just in case, but I see TSR has none so I’ll send it to them”
A third reason is to CYA. If people are sending you crap sooner or later someone’s gonna ask “where’s it going”? IF you show some sort fo “Part in part out” and who recieved it, it will likely CYA.
CYA is rule 1…I have full authority to do what I want with things. I have a feeling that some will be put into the dumpster. One persons trash is another persons dumpster. If I did get 300 pair of shoes, the good ones are saved, bad tossed…inventory sure, that would be nice. However, if I get more shit than I can have a general idea what is all there…then we move to the next step and track things. For the time being…it is just a bunch of us who have extra gear being nice and giving things away.
Matt…I know that you know people who are riding things that were in my stable…and were donated to them TSR style…long before TRS was even an idea. Thayer, Brenner, Molina, Waddlington, Lafevor (son), and a couple others. Does not make me a better person, just kinda proves my intentions here. If someone does not like where I decide something goes…to bad…that being said, like I said…EVERYONE has access to anything that is there. If someone thinks that I should send something to Mary Rottoncrotch…I send it, it is not for me to decide the value in the donation. If you know someone who needs something…come get it from me (if I have it).
Maybe I missed it, but how does one get consideration for a TSR donation? Do we jsut ask in the general forum, or is there a special place to ask?
For example, I’m looking for a wetsuit to compete in the Boulder Peak Oly in July. I would love to use a loner since I don’t have any more money in the budget this year (my first year has proven very expensive), and also plan in getting my own some day, just not this month. What is the protocol going to be?
FWIWI think that this is a great idea and look forward to donating things as I accumulate upgrades for my entry level equipment. GO 'TWITCHERS!
Sure…how big are ya? I have a QR sleeveless that fits a 6’ 165lbs AG fool…not perfect but it does have 4 IM swims on it…as well as some 1/2’s and 5-6 loaner races.
I’m about 6’1" and tiped the scales at 187 lbs this morning. I’m on my way down to about 175-180 race weight. Do you think that the QR will streach that much? I’m pretty broad across the chest.
So are we talking all bike related parts, or just what you mentioned. I have some new and used (still good life left) 650 tires that I will never use but just can not throw away. I also have a 650 threaded alloy fork that I have not been able to throw away. PM me an address if want these things, as I am sure to find a few other items as well.
Never mind found the info in the other post on the second page.
Sure you can do whatever you want with your stuff, and if people have no problems or don’t really care what happens to the stuff they send you then no biggy. But I was thinking along the order of “charity”. People like to SEE that the stuff they donated actually helped someone.
It would be very cool to know that the part you donated was used on a bike that got someone thru their first tri…a thought anyway.
As far as effeciency it may stave off alot of “do you have” E-mails as well.
I don’t see how that’s relivent.
TSR clothing was done by somebody else (the name even escapes me at the moment), to raise money for Tibb’s bike. This is a free “program” for redistibuting stuff you don’t want anymore.
Chip had nothing to do with the jersey delivery.
No not really analitical as much as sceptical. People will always find or look to find the scam. Having no “Accounting” is always a path towards a scam and even if one does not exist people will want to believe one does. If enough people believe that one does all of your work to help people out will be for naught. As TSR will likely die on the vine.
I am not trying to overhaul this work in progress but would like to contribute the following for consideration.
If this thing got big I think inventory and shipping could be quite daunting for R10C. Perhaps someone skilled in software could set up a virtual warehouse. So, if I have a pair of clip-ons I don’t need I could list them on the site. If someone is looking for that particular item, he/she could make a request and I could ship them. It would save shipping $ by only sending them once and any one individual (R10C) would not have to handle every item. Also if I still have the item in my possession and a friend wanted it I could give it to him.