The annual Young Riders Bike Swap returns to Park City this weekend, with hundreds upon hundreds of bikes expected to change hands as late spring evolves into early summer.
The swap, which will be held at The Yard, is scheduled to get underway on Saturday, May 12, at 8 a.m. and bikes will be up for grabs until 5 p.m. that day. The swap is scheduled to continue Sunday, May 13, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
According Young Riders program manager Julie Minahan, who is in her 18th year working with the organization, the swap has become so popular that each year nearly 85 percent of inventory acquired is sold within the first three hours of the Saturday swap.
“If people are looking for a good deal, make sure to get there Saturday morning early,” she said. “Bikes usually fly off the shelf the first thing in the morning.”
Today is the last scheduled day bikes can be dropped off at Jans or White Pine. Starting tomorrow, bikes must be dropped off at The Yard. Thursday’s drop-off schedule runs from 3 to 8 p.m. at The Yard, while Friday’s will be from noon to 8 p.m.
“Usually we’ll get another big load of gear and bikes at that time,” Minahan said of the last-minute donations. “We’re always looking for more inventory to sell and we’re looking for buyers to come.”
Minahan said she expects roughly 400 bikes to be cycled through the swap this weekend.
Twenty percent of sale proceeds go to benefit the Young Riders program, as the website describes, “Founded in 1996 as a way to keep kids, happy and healthy when the snow melts, works to improve fitness, build friendships, explore the environment and establish responsibility in youths throughout the Park City area.”
According to the Young Riders website, all sellers must fill out swap paperwork completely and legibly. Sellers will receive a check via postal mail within 10 business days for any item that is sold during the swap. Items that are not sold must be collected from the swap between the hours of 3 and 5 p.m. on May 13. Items not collected will be donated to the program.
Minahan said Saturday morning will also feature a number of bike-related tents and vendors at The Yard. For information on Young Riders of the swap, visit www.youngriders.com .