Advocacy

Community Involvement

Community involvement is what allowed us to successfully open a store in Downtown State College and is a fundamental reason as to why are alive and well today.

We think it is downright irresponsible to operate in bicycle retail and not be involved in bicycle advocacy. If you offer a product and service as we do, it is an absolute necessity to do your fair share of effort in protecting, maintaining and creating facilities which your cycling consumer uses daily. When we opened a storefront in 2005 with no advertising budget to speak of, our involvement in local clubs and advocacy groups gave us the reputation necessary to bring solid product and service to market.

Freeze Thaw Cycles is an IMBA Elite Retailer; we put our money where our wheels are to supplement our time and energy. Pennsylvania is an amazing place for singletrack and we intend to make it even better and accessible to more riders.

On the paved side, we work to expand and connect safe routes for cyclists of all skill and comfort levels throughout the Centre Region. In 2007, we helped to secure a grant to help fund the Musser Gap Greenway project, which will provide a much needed off-street path to Rothrock State Forest from a new regional park being built at Blue Course and Whitehall. In 2013, we donated $3500 to Clearwater Conservancy to help cover the final hurdles.

2019 was also a big year for advocacy with some new and exciting projects planned for the region. Freeze Thaw Cycles was proud to become a Bronze Sponsor of the Harvest Fields Community Trails that have recently been constructed in Boalsburg, PA. Nittany Mountain Bike Association was also instrumental in pushing the project through and obtaining additional fundraising to bring these professionally built trails to our area for beginners and experts alike.

Musser Gap is a new gateway trailhead which will alleviate multi-user pressure on the sensitive Shingletown Gap watershed area. The land was purchased and transferred to the state by the Clearwater Conservancy, a locally-based “land trust and natural resource conservation organization formed in 1980.” Their “mission is to promote conservation and restoration of natural resources in central Pennsylvania through land conservation, water resource protection, and environmental outreach to the community.” We wholeheartedly support their efforts through fundraising efforts and general promotion. We believe their work is needed to help ensure better connection of people to much needed public spaces, often times by bike when it is the appropriate, sustainable choice.

Justin speaks frequently to student groups and classes and is available and equipped to support other educational efforts such as wellness fairs and bike rodeos. Our entire staff is active in these efforts as well.

We Support

Nittany Mountain Biking Association

Local IMBA (International Mountain Biking Association) affiliated mountain bike club/advocacy group.

www.nittanymba.org

Centre Bike (formerly CRBC)

Local bike/ped advocacy crew, local Bike To Work Day organizers, sign up for their useful listserv.

centrebike.org

PSU Transportation Services

Info about the new campus bike plan; yes, there is a crew of people on campus who actually are looking out for you and you don’t owe them any excessive paperwork either.

transportation.psu.edu

State College Borough Transportation Commission

Meetings open to public, effective way to have your voice heard about and keep up to date on Borough bike initiatives.

Centre Regional Planning Agency

Surrounding townships working to not step on each other and plan land uses for the greater regional good.

www.crcog.net/crpa

Clearwater Conservancy

Responsible land uses unite! Responsible for recent acquisition and preservation of Musser Gap.

www.clearwaterconservancy.org/

International Mountain Bicycling Association

More trails is a good thing. IMBA creates, enhances and protects great places to ride mountain bikes all over the world.

www.imba.com

Safe Routes to School

A network of agencies creating safe routes for school children to get to and from school on foot.

www.saferoutesinfo.org

League of American Bicyclists

To promote bicycling for fun, fitness and transportation and work through advocacy and education for a bicycle-friendly America.

www.bikeleague.org

Penns Valley Pedals and Pints

We’re a not-so-serious group of cyclers who meet up Thursdays rain or shine from May to September to bike, enjoy the beauty of Penns Valley, hang with friends (old and new), and cheers to another great ride. All the while, raising money to support our community.

www.pennsvalleypedalsandpints.com

Penns Valley Conservation Association

The Penns Valley Conservation Association seeks to foster an engaged community that preserves our rural way of life while protecting our natural environment. PVCA’s Mission is to serve as a steward for the natural and cultural communities in the Upper Penns Creek watershed, seeking to preserve and honor the agricultural roots of Penns Valley by protecting and conserving its waters, farmlands, forests and rural heritage.

www.pennsvalley.net

Contact

Let us know your questions about Sales by submitting this form. You can also email us at info@freezethaw.com.

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