On a bicycle built for you: Foothills Elementary students receive 24 bicycles through Dream Rides

On a bicycle built for you: Foothills Elementary students receive 24 bicycles through Dream Rides

Daily Times

By: Shanon Adame

September 18, 2024

Laughter filled the Foothills Elementary School gymnasium as 24 kindergarten students wheeled brand-new bicycles around a makeshift track. As they passed the rest of the class, who were patiently sitting in rows, cheers of “great job!” rang out through the gym.

The bicycles, which are designed without pedals in order to train students how to ride a bike properly, were a gift from local company, Dream Rides, a custom motorcycle company with locations in Maryville and Stockton, CA.

Dream Rides owner John Jessup said that the company hosts a bicycle drive every year around the holiday season. Dream Rides builds a custom Harley Davidson and raffles it off. To “purchase” a raffle ticket, a person would donate a brand-new children’s bicycle.

Laughter filled the Foothills Elementary School gymnasium as 24 kindergarten students wheeled brand-new bicycles around a makeshift track. As they passed the rest of the class, who were patiently sitting in rows, cheers of “great job!” rang out through the gym.

The bicycles, which are designed without pedals in order to train students how to ride a bike properly, were a gift from local company, Dream Rides, a custom motorcycle company with locations in Maryville and Stockton, CA.

Dream Rides owner John Jessup said that the company hosts a bicycle drive every year around the holiday season. Dream Rides builds a custom Harley Davidson and raffles it off. To “purchase” a raffle ticket, a person would donate a brand-new children’s bicycle.

Dream Rides presented the bicycles to the kindergarten class on Monday afternoon. The students quietly walked in one class at a time and took their sports on the gym floor. Foothills Principal Kristen Bosco introduced Jessup and Dream Rides to the students. When she mentioned Jessup worked with motorcycles, the excitement in the room amped up.

Jessup gave the students a short speech before telling them students, “I really like to fast on my motorcycle.”

Jessup’ son, who was also in attendance, then instructed, “Raise your hand if you like to go fast too!”

Students quickly shot their arms up, and the Dream Rides team shifted a banner to the side, which had been concealing 24 white Striders bicycles hanging neatly on two racks.

The students let out a collective “Whoa!” followed by excited clapping.

Robinson called up 24 students to act as demonstrators and the Dream Rides team got them all set up with their helmets.

A Dream Rides team member gave a brief demonstration, and then the students were off, wheeling their way around the gym.

It was important for Jessup to give back.

Jessup, whose parents struggled with drug addiction, was raised by his grandmother and they didn’t have the income for luxuries.

“She had enough to house us, and feed us, and clothe us, and give us what we needed — but not always what we wanted,” Jessup said.

Giving children the opportunity to participate in something they may otherwise not have the chance to was meaningful to Jessup.

“I’ve been blessed enough that I’m able to do this, so until we can’t, we will,” he said.

Sponsoring the school through the All Kids Bike program, which will run for 10 years, was the product of the work put in by Dream Rides staff in Tennessee and California, as well as Jessup’s partner, James Sanborn, Jessup explained.

“Give back to your community — what more is there,” Jessup said.