Rich Giorgi helps fix a bicycle wheel at the CarrboroReCYCLEry on Nov. 8.
With hundreds of old bicycles lying in the yard at 103 Padgette Lane, the ReCYCLEry looks like a junkyard, but as soon as the Sunday afternoon crowd starts to trickle in at noon it turns into something more like Dr. Frankenbike’s laboratory.
The idea behind the ReCYCLEry, which began in 2000, is to put as many bicycles on the road as possible, trading participant volunteer hours for time the ReCYCLEry’s mechanics and other volunteers put into helping the participant build a bicycle.
Even people who have no experience working with bicycles can go to get help from experienced mechanics and volunteers to build a bicycle.
The ReCYCLEry is currently located in Carrboro near Cat’s Cradle, but will have to change locations at the end of the year. It is currently on property given to it by the town of Carrboro.
Giorgi said he does not know where the ReCYCLEry will move, but board members of the organization are looking to become an official 501(c)(3) nonprofit company.
Since its inception the ReCYCLEry has relied on private donations for space to operate. Giorgi said it has been great to be able to work on donated land, but said it is time that the ReCYCLEry find a permanent location.
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