The Wheel Deal: Wheel Anatomy & Building

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It’s almost time for our two-part Wheel Deal workshop!

Session 1: Wheel Anatomy
October 6, 2018 from 9 am to 2pm

We will spend the first session discussing hubs, rims, spokes, and nipples; diving into the history, anatomy, how to overhaul hubs, measure the components of a wheel, and learn how to true a wheel. We will also spend time discussing and learning how to use the specific tools that are designed for wheels.

Wheel Deal photoSession 2: Wheel Building
October 13, 2018 from 9 am to 2 pm

During the second session of this course we will apply the knowledge gained from Session 1 to learn how to properly build a wheel. Each student will be provided the materials needed to lace, tension, and true a wheel from beginning to end.

Students will have the opportunity to purchase their completed* wheel at a discounted price. Any unwanted or incomplete projects will be kept by the Bike Kitchen.

*Please note: depending on the efficiency and skill level, the student’s wheel may not be completed during the time allotted. If the student chooses, they may come to the Bike Kitchen to complete their wheel for sign-off. Further details will be provided at the beginning of the course.

Coffee and snacks will be provided in the morning of each session, short breaks and a 1 hour lunch will happen during each session.

Bike SLO County will provide all the materials for this course to ensure that all students are receiving an equal experience. Students who complete the wheel building course will be given a one-time discount to purchase materials or products through our wholesale account.

Registration is $40 per person.

Register for the Workshops here: https://secure.bikeslocounty.org/eventReg.jsp?event=3&

WTF! Women Trans Femme Night

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WTF! Women Trans Femme Night at Bike Kitchen

Bicycle maintenance has traditionally been an overwhelmingly male-dominated area. It is our goal to help teach women, trans, and femme individuals who have been intimidated or marginalized in this setting to be knowledgeable and confident working on their bikes.

On a daily basis, Bike SLO County strives to ensure a safe and comfortable environment for all, while also recognizing the benefits of offering women, trans & femme-specific evening hours as a stepping stone to achieving greater confidence working in our space at any time.

Women’s Night and WTF Night are for:

Women: A person who identifies as a woman.

Trans: Transgender, genderqueer, gender non-conforming, gender creative, anyone whose gender identity is fluid, transgressive, and/or transitioning.

Femme: A gender identity in which a person of any gender embodies a feminine appearance, expression, or identity.

Bike SLO County’s WTF (Women/Trans/Femme) Nights take place the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of every month from 5 – 8:30 PM in the Bike Kitchen at 860 Pacific St, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 (map).

If you are not WTF identified, please BECOME AN ALLY:

  • Respect the space: Come during our regular hours, don’t ask for an exception, and don’t hang around the entrance during Women’s Night or WTF hours.
  • Respect People: During Bike Kitchen’s regular hours, treat all female & trans mechanics and patrons as you would any other person (don’t assume they’re less knowledgeable, don’t call them “sweetie,” and NEVER take a wrench out of their hand!)
  • Get Educated: Learn about the issues facing women and trans communities.
  • Educate others: About why and how to be an ally!

(Big thanks to DIY bike cooperative, BICAS in Tuscon, AR and Sacramento Bike Kitchen in Sacramento, CA from whom some of our Women’s Night/WTF Night language was cribbed.)

7 Days of Bike Kitchen!

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Bike Kitchen Cooking Seven Days a Week!

We thrilled to announce that beginning on Monday October 2nd, 2017 the Bike Kitchen will transition to a brand new and expanded seven days a week schedule! We’ll expand our current 23.5 hours a week to a whopping 39.5 hours of Bike Kitchen goodness. We’re also opening later on Mondays so that we can be open later for people who prefer to wrench in the evening.

Our new and improved schedule:

  • Monday: 3-8 PM
  • Tuesday: 12-5 PM
  • Wednesday: 12-5 PM
  • Thursday: 12-6 PM
  • Friday: 12-5 PM
  • Saturday: 12-5 PM
  • Sunday: 12-5 PM

Additionally, our WTF (Women/Trans/Femme) Nights continue from 5-8:30 PM on the first Wednesday of every month, as well as Women’s Night @ Bike Kitchen on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th Wednesdays from 5-8:30 PM.

We’ve been dreaming about this day for ages and are excited that the day when we’re able to help even more people keep rolling is almost here!

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The Bike Kitchen is located at 860 Pacific St, on the corner of Morro and Pacific in SLO, behind the Marsh St Post Office.

The Bike Kitchen is a program of Bike SLO County. We have all the parts, tools and knowledge you need to fix your bicycle! We can help you build a bike from the ground up, fix that vintage junker you found at a yard sale or simply tune up your bicycle. We serve all types of people, and are committed to creating a safe space for everyone. We have provided guided instruction to over 8,000 people since opening our doors in 2010. Looking to buy a gently used, ready to ride bicycle? We sell all kinds of bicycles! Come in and see us. Have a bike you’d like to donate? Your generous gifts help the Bike Kitchen thrive and give even more people the chance to experience SLO County by bike. Thank you!

Like Bikes? Join us! It’s free! Head over to bikeslocounty.org/join to sign up for our monthly eNews and we’ll keep you informed about all things bike in SLO County.

Women’s Night Moves to Wednesday

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Women’s Night at Bike Kitchen Makes a Move

Our weekly Women’s Night @ Bike Kitchen has moved! Women’s Night now takes place on the 3rd Wednesday of every month from 5 – 8:30 PM.

What about the 1st Wednesday? The first Wednesday of every month is now WTF (Women, Trans, Femme) Night @ Bike Kitchen, with the same hours as Women’s Night, 5 – 8:30 PM.

Why Women’s Night and WTF Night?

Bicycle maintenance has traditionally been an overwhelmingly male-dominated area. It is our goal to help teach individuals who have been intimidated or marginalized in this setting to be knowledgeable and confident working on their bikes.

On a daily basis, Bike SLO County strives to ensure a safe and comfortable environment for all, while also recognizing the benefits of offering women, trans & femme-specific evening hours as a stepping stone to achieving greater confidence working in our space at any time.

Women’s Night and WTF Night are for:

Women: A person who identifies as a woman.

Trans: Transgender, genderqueer, gender non-conforming, gender creative, anyone whose gender identity is fluid, transgressive, and/or transitioning.

Femme: A gender identity in which a person of any gender embodies a feminine appearance, expression, or identity.

If you are not WTF identified, please BECOME AN ALLY:

  • Respect the space: Come during our regular hours, don’t ask for an exception, and don’t hang around the entrance during Women’s Night or WTF hours.
  • Respect People: During Bike Kitchen’s regular hours, treat all female & trans mechanics and patrons as you would any other person (don’t assume they’re less knowledgeable, don’t call them “sweetie,” and NEVER take a wrench out of their hand!)
  • Get Educated: Learn about the issues facing women and trans communities.
  • Educate others: About why and how to be an ally!

(Big thanks to DIY bike cooperative, BICAS in Tuscon, AR and Sacramento Bike Kitchen in Sacramento, CA from whom much of our Women’s Night/WTF Night language was cribbed.)

 

Bike Kitchen Hours Expand

Keep the Bike Kitchen Cooking

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This week we’re highlighting 5 different Bike SLO County programs and efforts that need your support. Our 2017 Annual Fundraising Campaign is scheduled to conclude at midnight tonight, Friday June 16th and we still have a long way to go to reach our fundraising goal of $30,000.

Women's Program

Day 5: The Bike Kitchen

Support the Bike Kitchen

Earlier this week we featured Women’s Night @ Bike Kitchen and RideWell, two great programs made possible in part by the Bike Kitchen. 

The Bike Kitchen opened seven years ago in 2010. Since then more than 6000 people have visited the Kitchen and learned how to fix their bike. From day one, Bike SLO County committed to creating the Bike Kitchen as a safe space for everyone, where there are no stupid questions and all are welcome. As we always say “Come fix your bike! Don’t know how? We’ll teach you!”

Every day that the Bike Kitchen is open, people are empowered to learn and empowered to use what they learn with the tools we share. Currently we’re open Thursday through Sunday, and we’re exploring the possibility of expanding our hours to provide more access to even more SLO County residents. 

Finally, the Bike Kitchen accepts donations of used bikes which are refurbished for the RideWell program or sold to the public to help cover operating costs and partially fund other Bike SLO County programs.

Please support the Bike Kitchen – your one time donation of $100 or more will help the Kitchen thrive and grow. Donations of any amount are greatly appreciated as we strive to reach our goal to raise $30,000 by midnight tonight, Friday, June 16th.

Click here to make a one time donation.

Prefer to make a recurring monthly donation? Click here to make a monthly donation.

Already support Bike SLO County? Thank You!

Support Bike SLO County’s Women’s Program

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This week we’re highlighting 5 different Bike SLO County programs and efforts that need your support. Our 2017 Annual Fundraising Campaign concludes on Friday June 16th and we still have a long way to go to reach our fundraising goal of $30,000.

Women's Program

Day 4: Women’s Program

In 2016 Bike SLO County received a request to host a weekly Women’s Night in our Bike Kitchen. Although we didn’t have the capacity to staff Women’s Night, we worked with a team of dedicated volunteers who cared enough to donate their time and energy to take Women’s Night @ Bike Kitchen from a great idea to an even better reality.

Fast forward to 2017. In response to a continuing need, Bike SLO County created a part-time staff position to coordinate and run Women’s Night, hiring Women’s Night superstar volunteer Audrey Surprenant. In April Audrey and a team of 3 Women’s Night volunteer mechanics wrenched at two different stops on this year’s Eroica California, the first women to ever provide mechanical assistance at any Eroica ride.

The successes of Women’s Night led to the creation of our new Women’s Program. In July Audrey will take over running the Bike Kitchen from departing Operations Director Tyler Jamieson (farewell Tyler!) and move ahead with our Women’s Program, working to build a strong, safe caring community for women who bike.

Please support our Women’s Program – your one time donation of $100 or more will significantly help the Women’s Program grow and reach more SLO County women. Donations of any amount a greatly appreciated as we strive to reach our goal to raise $30,000 by Friday, June 16th.

Click here to make a one time donation.

Prefer to make a recurring monthly donation? Click here to make a monthly donation.

Already support Bike SLO County? Thank You!

Bike Kitchen Hours Expand

New Bike Kitchen Hours

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Bike Kitchen Hours Expand!

Thursdays at Bike Kitchen are getting busy busy BUSY! Earlier this year we added Women’s Night @ Bike Kitchen on Thursday evenings from 6 – 8:30 pm, and this week we’re thrilled to announce that the Bike Kitchen hours are expanding again.
Bike Kitchen Hours

Starting today we’ll be open for all on Thursdays from Noon – 5 pm. That means more time to fix your bike (or more time to learn how to fix your bike), more time to come in and see what gently used bikes we have in stock and yes, more time to volunteer with Bike SLO County. We’re always on the lookout for passionate volunteers – you don’t need to be a skilled mechanic to help. (Learn more about volunteering here.)

New Bike Kitchen Schedule:

Open to All:

Thursdays Noon – 5 pm
Fridays Noon – 5 pm
Saturdays Noon – 5 pm
Sundays Noon – 5 pm

Women’s Night @ Bike Kitchen:

Thursdays 6 – 8:30 pm

HOLIDAY SCHEDULE!

Bike Kitchen will be closed November 24 – 27 for the Thanksgiving weekend and closed Dec 25 – January 1 for the Holiday Break.

The Bike Kitchen is a program of Bike SLO County. We have all the parts, tools and knowledge you need to fix your bicycle! We can help you build a bike from the ground up, fix that junker you found at a garage sale, or simply teach you how to tune up your bicycle. We serve all types of people, and are committed to creating a safe space for everyone. We have provided guided instruction to over 8,000 people since opening our doors in 2010. Looking to buy a gently used, ready to ride bicycle? We sell all kinds of bicycles! Come in and see us! Have a bike you’d like to donate? Your generous gifts help the Bike Kitchen thrive and give even more people the chance to experience SLO County by bike. Thank you!

Like Bikes? Join us! It’s free! Click here to join and we’ll keep you informed about all things bike in SLO County: JOIN

 

Bike Donate

Give Your Old Bike A New Life: Donate It!

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Donate Your Old Bike Today!

If you listen to KCBX or any other public radio station, you’ve probably heard announcements asking for donations of old cars to help sustain their programs. You donate a car, it gets sold at auction, a percentage of the proceeds go to your favorite public radio station (and you get a tax break).

It may surprise you to know that Bike SLO County has a similar program – but instead of cars, we accept bikes. When you donate your old bicycle to Bike SLO County, your gift works in a number of ways:

  • By donating your old bike instead of throwing it away, you’re helping the environment by keeping it from heading to a landfill before its time.
  • Your bike will be tuned up and given a new life, giving someone else years of joy and transportation.
  • Your bicycle may be sold to someone looking for a gently used bicycle. The proceeds help Bike SLO County fund our other programs (Bike Education, Bike Valet, Bike Advocacy, Kidical Mass)
  • Your bicycle may be donated to someone through our Ride Well program, which serves SLO County families and individuals in need, for whom a bicycle may provide much needed mobility.
  • You get, at your request, a receipt of your gift that allows you to deduct your donation on your taxes.

Bike DonateWill We Accept Any Bike?

Great question! While we do accept most bikes, we can’t accept all bikes.

  • We do not accept “department store” bikes (Next, Roadmaster, Magma, modern Free Spirits). Why not? These bicycles are often constructed with very low quality parts in non-standard sizes and are not designed to be serviceable. Due to their limited compatibility, we are not able to make sure that they are safe to ride.
  • We do not accept bikes that are beyond help. That rusted bike that has been buried in wet leaves for the last 3 years? No thanks! Use your best judgement. When in doubt, call Michael at 547-2055 and ask us if your bike sounds like a good candidate for donation.
  • We do accept most other bicycles and will repair them (or use them for spare parts). “Old” does not mean we won’t accept it – it’s about quality, not age.

What’s The Next Step?

Ready to give your bike a new life? Bring your bicycle to the Bike Kitchen, 860 Pacific St, Suite 105, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 (map) any Friday, Saturday or Sunday between the hours of Noon – 5 PM.

Thank you for helping make SLO County an even better place for bikes!