Sturgis, SD (June 26, 2023) — During this year’s highly anticipated 83rd annual Sturgis Rally, six schools, including Pine Bush High School, are showcasing their industrial arts skills.
They’re participating in the Tiny Strider Chop-Off Competition at Flying Piston Benefit Breakfast and Auction. The breakfast shindig is located in the Big Engine Bar at the Buffalo Chip.
The Flying Piston Benefit’s Tiny Strider Chop-Off Competition is an exciting opportunity for these creative students to explore their passion for fabrication, machining and design by customizing a tiny balance bike. Similar to renowned Harley customizers, these young enthusiasts will unleash their creativity on a stock Strider bike to transform it into a one-of-a-kind custom, showcasing their ingenuity and craftsmanship.
“Instructor Kenny Marshall and his students have put in well over 150 hours from the design through fabrication process,” explained Aaron Hopmayer, Pine Bush Principal. “Students used the equipment in the Pine Bush High School Gene Haas Innovation Center which includes Haas mills, waterjet, 3D printers, laser cutter, wood CNC, and other tools.”
students have put in well over 150 hours from the design through fabrication
The Tiny Custom Bike Chop Off highlights six tech programs across the US, including Kevin “Teach” Baas’ Lakeville North High School; Pine Bush High School, Pine Bush, NY; Helping with Horsepower in Ethan, SD; WyoTech, Laramie, WY; Mitchell Tech in Mitchell, SD; and the Jessi Combs Foundation.
This competition provides an immersive experience for the students,” explained Marilyn Stemp, co-producer of the Flying Piston. “But really, in this competition, there are no losers, only winners!”
Once the custom bikes are completed, they will take center stage at the 9th Annual Flying Piston Benefit where they will be unveiled and auctioned online. Proceeds support All Kids Bike, teaching kids to ride bikes in kindergarten P.E. nationwide, and Motorcycle Missions, supporting vets with PTSD.
Enthusiasts can register for the auction at https://qtego.us/qlink/piston to bid online from anywhere. To buy tickets for the Builders Breakfast, held at the Sturgis Buffalo Chip Crossroads on Sunday, August 6th and presented by Russ Brown Motorcycle Attorneys, go to https://www.tixr.com/groups/sturgisbuffalochip/events/sturgis-buffalo-chip-2023-60458.
About Flying Piston Benefit
Flying Piston Charity Events are produced by Marilyn Stemp of Iron Trader News and Jeff Najar of GFTechOne.com to assist in raising awareness and funds for non-profits and individuals in the motorcycle community. Contact: Marilyn Stemp, 828-205- 8482, marilynstemp@gmail.com or www.flyingpistonbenefit.com/
About Strider and All Kids Bike
Strider designs lightweight, efficient, all-terrain bikes that build two-wheeled balance, coordination, and confidence in children. Strider is changing the paradigm of how kids learn to ride through AllKidsBike, which seeks to teach every kid how to ride a bike in kindergarten P.E. class. www.AllKidsBike.org, www.Striderbikes.com
