Jump on the 2009 Tax Wagon

With the 2008 taxes filed--hopefully you're not scrambling in the last few hours--you can breathe a sigh of relief that the agony is over for another year. While you're left to wait for your tax return or scratching your head over ways to minimize or eliminate a payment to Uncle Sam for next year, why not get some deductions rolling for '09? You can even get started this weekend, at least if you're in the Chicago vicinity.

For those of us who aren't traveling to Boston this weekend, Vision Quest Coaching and the Trek store in Highland Park have an event to appease the area's cyclists and triathletes. Need a new ride for the upcoming season? How about some new wheels or components? Or maybe you're looking to unload some spare parts collecting dust in the garage or a bike that hasn't suited you since an upgrade last season? If you're nodding yes to any of these questions--or even if you're not and a sale or the word cycling alone makes you beeline to the bike or multisport store--you'll want to check out the goods in the Vision Quest/Trek parking lot on April 18. Or drag those bikes that you know you sell or donate with you.

One great location, two events and three local businesses involved. Vision Quest Coaching is hosting its third annual Garage Sale in conjunction with the Trek store's Drag, Push or Pull event that benefits Working Bikes Cooperative. You can find the flurry of activities at 1923 Skokie Valley Road in Highland Park, just adjacent to the Trek store and the VQ coaching facility.

Cyclists and triathletes can save on new gear for the upcoming season, donate any old bikes, and do some spring cleaning at home before checking out the deals. In addition to the shopping, visitors will have the opportunity to learn about bicycle safety and attend clinics. The VQ Garage Sale runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. VQ members and the general public can shop or unload their gently used gear and display it in front of a large audience. Some gear for sale includes: PowerTaps, road and triathlon bikes, cycling shoes, wetsuits, trainers, bicycle components, and race wheels.

In addition to VQ’s Garage Sale, the Trek store will be holding Drag, Push or Pull, which encourages bikers to unload and donate old bicycles to Working Bikes Cooperative. Working Bikes Cooperative is a Chicago-based nonprofit that repairs bikes for sale and charity and delivers bicycles to under-served countries. Donated bikes will help improve the lives of people who need transportation to get to work or school. As long as participants can drag, push or pull old bikes to the store, Trek will give at least $50 toward a new bike purchase in honor of their donation. The Trek store will also be offering merchandise sales throughout the weekend.

For more information about the event, contact Vision Quest Coaching at www.visionquestcoaching.com. To learn more about Working Bikes Cooperative, where the bikes will be donated, visit workingbikes.org. Photo grabbed from Bike Library. Posted by Kate