Topekan’s gathered this past Saturday night to have a good time and support a local cause.

The Flat Tire benefit show, hosted to raise money for the Topeka Community Cycle Project (TCCP), featured popular bands, fun activities, and a silent auction.

Recognized by the state of Kansas as a non-profit organization last December, the TCCP offers tools and know how to help Topekans keep their bikes road ready.  TCCP has started three programs, an earn-a-bike program, a work bike program and a youth program.  In these programs, those in need of a bike can volunteer their time to earn one and then work on it in the shop.

For $5, attendees were treated to the smooth bluegrass sounds of  That Damn Sasquatch and the unique, psychedelic rock stylings of Die Röcke.

The benefit’s silent auction featured two complete bicycles and many interesting and eye-catching parts.

The KC Sprints, a team that specialize in goldsprints and stationary bike races,  also came out to support the cycle project and downtown Topeka development.

“It was a great event,” said Robert Fitzgerald, TCCP volunteer. “We had a great time.”

The Flat Tire benefit was held at Bosco’s Wine & Martini Bar. The downtown establishment was more than happy to lend its space for a night to support a fellow downtown project.

Though the TCCP accepts donations all year, the idea to hold a benefit took a while to emerge and put in to action.

“A few months back I came up with the idea of doing a benefit show for the bike shop,” said Troy Walker who volunteers regularly at the shop. “I just talked to Robert [Fitzgerald] and a few other people and things just went from there.”

After months of work putting things together, the event had over 200 people in attendance and over $1,500 raised for the project.

“I think it went great,” said Walker. “Everyone had a good time and we raised a lot of money for the bike shop which was what we wanted to do.”

Like many of the TCCP volunteers, Walker was eager to support a good cause and will continue to support it for a long time.

“I just heard about it and thought it was a good idea,” said Walker. “I just went back and went back and went back again.”

To find out how to further support the Topeka Community Cycling Project visit their Website at www.cycleproject.org.