Current Conditions
36°F - SUNNY
(88) (4) (2)
Carlos Castro of Lancaster is keeping such memories alive through his group, the Old School Schwinn Bike Club. The 28-member group of young and old takes to the streets of Lancaster — weather permitting — many riding restored bikes made by Schwinn, Sears and J. C. Higgins.
Anyone is welcome to join, Castro said.
"We just love to share the ride," he said, while recently showcasing his bikes outside his 16-foot-by-10-foot garage transformed into a bike repair/restoration area.
Castro spends much of his time restoring old bikes, many of which were dug out of Dumpsters or found at yard sales. As a young boy in Puerto Rico, Castro would watch two neighbor men work on their bikes and longed to own one. They took him under their wings and taught him how to fix and maintain bikes. They gave him his first, a Schwinn Collegiate.
Castro brought his love of bikes with him when he moved to the United States seven years ago. Now with a collection of models ranging from the 1930s to present-day, Castro leads the bike pack that takes to the streets on Saturday mornings.
VIDEO: The Old School Schwinn Bike Club takes to the streets
"When the flag is out, they know I am here and we are going to ride." Castro said, pointing to a Puerto Rican flag mounted above his garage.
These impromptu trips attract all kinds of riders with all kinds of bikes. The oldest "member" of the group is 55 and the youngest is a passenger rider not yet 2. On many rides, club members will discover that others have joined in along the way.
Edwin Bermudez of Lancaster looks forward to the weekend rides and finds joy in the camaraderie of the group. The 55-year-old Bermudez said that seeing "people together and spending time together" makes him happy.
Dubbed by the neighborhood as the "bicycle doctor," Castro also teaches the younger generation how to maintain bicycles. He has a good relationship with Tom Podlesny, owner of Cycle Circle, and the two work together to find parts for the older bikes.
"His dedication to the art is amazing," Podlesny said. "It's more, too, than the bikes; he truly believes in helping the kids of the city."
If a child does not have a bike, Castro lets him borrow one to ride.
"I don't have any problem with the kids. They know to respect the bike and not abuse it," Castro said. "If they don't respect it, they don't get to ride again, and they know it."
"He is helping by giving these kids something active to do," Bertha Philips, Castro's wife, said. "They really respond and respect him."
The respect is evident. On a recent afternoon, as Castro lined up his bikes across from his garage, about a half-dozen kids came down the street to assist and talk to him about his bikes and the bikes they are working on.
As the sun glistened off of the chrome on each polished bike, Castro took his time and listened to each story, some spoken in English and others in Spanish.
During the weekend rides, Sting-Rays — converted into low-rider bikes — and customized bikes are juxtaposed with vintage models. It's a clash of new and old, and it's funny to see.
The group has participated in the city's Puerto Rican parade for the past four years and attendees know to look for the group and its bikes. Castro does not disappoint the crowd. He works year-round on his own parade bike.
"Every year they expect me to do something bigger and better," Castro said.
This year's bike included a custom-made trailer, created by Castro from bed rails and truck parts. It hauled a huge speaker system, complete with stereo and flashing lights. The day after the parade, Castro was already working on next year's parade bike in his garage.
That, he said, is top secret.
