Bike Kitchen? Car Kitchen!

/in /by

Ready for the Car Kitchen?

Our donors are amazing! Bike SLO County thrives because of the generosity of so many dedicated members of the bike community.

And the car community.

At this point you may be you scratching your head saying “Wait…car drivers support bikes?”

Almost everyone we know who rides a bike also drives an automobile. Some drive a car every day, some drive multiple times a day, others not so often. While Bike SLO County doesn’t own a car, we sometimes need one and when we do we use a local car-share service.

Historically our Bike Kitchen has been a maintenance/education space to teach people how to fix their bicycles. We have all the parts, tools and knowledge anyone might need to fix a bicycle. The Bike Kitchen has provided guided instruction to over 6,000 people since opening our doors in 2010.

But what about cars? As far as we know, there isn’t currently a maintenance/education space to teach people how to fix their cars anywhere in SLO County. While there are lots of commercial mechanics, up until now not a single non-profit organization has worked to provide the parts, tools and knowledge you would need to fix your own car. That’s why we’re so very happy to announce that today is April Fools Day! Yes! We’re sorry! But we had you going for a minute!

While we like the idea of a Bike Kitchen for cars, we aren’t going to be the ones to get that started. Our focus will remain on Advocacy and Education, endlessly working for safer streets for everyone, whether you are a person driving a bicycle, a person driving a car, a person walking or, depending on the day, all of the above. Bike SLO County will continue to educate people of all ages, in schools around the county, in our Street Skills classes and yes, in the Bike Kitchen.

We’ll say it again. Our donors are amazing! Bike SLO County thrives because of the generosity of so many dedicated members of the bike community, the pedestrian community and yes, the car community. Safe streets are no joke. Donate today and help grow the movement for safer streets for everyone. It’s easy to donate – just click the donate link below:

       → → → https://bikeslocounty.org/donate ← ← ←

Thank you!

(P.S. For every donation we receive, we promise not play any more April Fools Day pranks until sometime next year.)

Bike Kitchen Blowout: Fifty Percent Sale!

/in /by

The Mother of All Bike Kitchen Sales!

Starting Friday, December 18th, Bike SLO County will hold our 1st Annual Bike Kitchen Blow Out Sale.

50PercentOffHow does it work? Simple! From Noon – 5 PM Friday, Saturday and Sunday (December 18-20) and 9 AM – 7 PM on Wednesday (December 23) all bicycles are 50% off!

That $150 Giant Sedona? $75!

The sweet $50 Electra kid’s bike? $25!

A beautiful classic Italian Pogliaghi road bike? $300!

Bam!

We’ve got bikes for kids, adults, women and men. We even have an electric recumbent. Need a gently used bike? We’ve got you covered! Looking for the perfect present for a friend or loved one? People love bikes!

We’ve also got some great stocking stuffers. Our Bike SLO County bike light sets (1 front light, 1 rear light) are one sale for only $10. And our Bike Kitchen passes give the gift of free Bike Kitchen use to anyone wanting to work on their bike, whether it is fixing a flat, restoring an old bike to it’s former glory or building up a bike from scratch.

Come take a test ride at the Bike Kitchen Blow Out Sale!

+++++

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 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.This bike not your cup of tea? Still 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

Giving Tuesday? 2 Wheeled Wednesday?

/in , /by

You’re probably familiar with Black Friday and Cyber Monday. But what about Small Business Saturday? And what’s the deal with Giving Tuesday? Two Wheeled Wednesday? Here’s the wrap up from Bike SLO County:

Black Friday

In the US Black Friday is the day after Thanksgiving, noted as the first day of traditional ChriKitchenCardHolidaysstmas shopping, during which hordes of consumers are drawn to special offers by big box brick and mortar retailers. Bike SLO County’s Bike Kitchen will be closed on Black Friday! So we totally get it if you’re desperate for a used rear derailleur on Friday and go elsewhere. In honor of the spirit of Thanksgiving the Bike Kitchen will be closed the whole Thanksgiving weekend, and won’t reopen until the next Friday, December 4th. However, when we reopen we’ll be running a $10 December Special on our Bike SLO County Bike Light Sets, which let you bike legal and safe for very little cash. These bike light sets and our Bike Kitchen Visit Cards make wonderfully unique holiday gifts and stocking stuffers.

Cyber Monday

Cyber Monday is the Monday following Thanksgiving, promoted by online retailers like Amazon as a day for exceptional bargains. Bike SLO County doesn’t sell anything online. But if you shop at Amazon, your purchases can benefit Bike SLO County through their Amazon Smile program. What is Amazon Smile? It’s pretty much the same thing as Amazon (it is part of Amazon),  except when you use amazon smile_BSCAmazon Smile they donate a portion of your purchase price to Bike SLO County (or any of your favorite participating charitable organizations. To shop using Amazon Smile and benefit Bike SLO County use this link: https://smile.amazon.com/ch/75-3021545

Small Business Saturday

Small Business Saturday encourages holiday shoppers to patronize brick and mortar businesses that are small and local on Saturday, November 28th. Although Bike SLO County and our Bike Kitchen will be closed on Small Business Saturday, there are plenty of small businesses in SLO County who would love your business. Bike shops. Coffee shops. Shoppy shops. If you live in or are coming to the City of SLO for Small Business Saturday without a bike, the fine folks at SLO Transit are offering free bus service on Routes 2, 3, 4, 5, 6A and 6B from approximately 8am to 6pm. By riding transit for free, you can save money, help alleviate heavy traffic and the demand for parking, especially during the busy holiday shopping season.

Giving Tuesday

Giving Tuesday, often stylized as #GivingTuesday for purposes of hashtag activism, refers to the Tuesday after U.S. Thanksgiving, December 1st in 2015. It is a movement to create a National Day of Giving and Philanthropy at the beginning of the holiday and Christmas season.

To mark this #givingtuesday, anyone who wants to celebrate the powerful positive role that giving plays in our world is being asked to donate and share their own ‘unselfie’ on their favorite social media sites and by email. What’s an #unselfie? To take an unselfie, write on a piece of paper the name of the charitable cause you’re supporting on Giving Tuesday. It could be as simple as “#Bike SLO County” or as involved as and “I support better bikeways in SLO County” or whatever reason you feel moved to give.

Getting ready for #GivingTuesday #UNselfie #bikeslocounty

A photo posted by Bike SLO County (@bikeslocounty) on

Add the tags #unsefie, #givingtuesday and #bikeslocounty, then hold the piece of paper in front of your self (or even in front of your face) and snap an unselfie. We’ll even have some preprinted sheets available in our office (map), or you can download PDF or JPEG color or black & white versions online: Color PDF version: Color JPEG version : Black & White PDF version : Black and White JPEG version

End of Year Campaign

Giving Tuesday kicks off Bike SLO County’s annual End of Year fundraising campaign. SLO County had a fantastic 2015, with lots of countywide bike projects completed (bike lanes in Paso Robles on Riverside, Union and Creston roads, a fantastic bike and pedestrian bridge & trail in Morro Bay, new bike lanes and green striping at Arroyo Grande High School, the very first blacktop bike safety course in California at Oceano Elementary, buffered bike lanes in Los Osos on LOVR, new green lanes on Broad, California & Madonna streets in SLO) and major projects funded for the coming years. We’re hoping you’ll help make 2016 even better. Our goal is to raise $25,000 for safer bikeways around SLO County by midnight, December 31st. Please consider a donation on Giving Tuesday, or anytime before the end of the year at bikeslocounty.org/donate

Two Wheeled Wednesday

What about Two Wheeled Wednesday? Two Wheeled Wednesday occurs…every Wednesday of the year for the foreseeable future! Give back to yourself by riding your bike on Wednesdays. Invite your friends to go for special Two Wheeled Wednesday rides. Invite anyone and everyone to go on Two Wheeled Wednesday rides! Did we mention that Two Wheeled Wednesday makes a healthy and fun New Years Resolution for you, your friends and family?

 

Bike of the Week: Bianchi Nyala

/in , /by

Bike_of_the_Week_Bianchi_NyalaUPDATE 12:45 pm September 18th: This bike sold fast! Not to worry, we have other bikes!

The Bianchi Nyala is great as a starter mountain bike and as a commuter bike to get around town. This red and gray Nyala has an 18.5 inch frame, perfect for riders from 5’5″ – 5’10” tall.

The 21 speed, 3×7 drive train provides easy gears for cruising and harder gears for speed.

Ample tire clearances insure a comfortable ride on street and trail alike.

$125.00 and available now at the Bike Kitchen. We’re open Friday, Saturday and Sunday from Noon – 5PM. Questions? Call (805) 547-2055. Ask for Tyler.

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 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.This bike not your cup of tea? Still 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 of the Week: Bianchi Eros

/in , /by

Love the Bianchi Eros

BOTW_Bianchi_ErosUPDATE: This has has been sold!

This dark blue Bianchi Eros is the steel-framed triple-chainring (3 x 8 speed) road bike you’ve been waiting for.

A fast bike for road riding and commuting, the 51cm frame makes this ideal for people between 5′ – 5′ 5″ tall.

Campagnolo Mirage Groupset.

$400.00 and available now at the Bike Kitchen. We’re open Friday, Saturday and Sunday from Noon – 5PM. Questions? Call (805) 547-2055. Ask for Tyler.

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 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.This bike not your cup of tea? Still 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 of the Week: Olmo 2-Speed

/in /by
This gorgeous chrome frame Olmo is the city bike you’ve been dreaming about. 

Olmo1Frame: 23″/59cm Good for someone 5’8″- 6’+

SRAM 2-speed automatic hub

Big comfy tires

Upright riding position

Available now at the Bike Kitchen. We’re open Friday, Saturday and Sunday from Noon – 5PM. Questions? Call (805) 547-2055. Ask for Tyler.

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 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.

This bike not your cup of tea? Still 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 US

 

 

Bike of The Week: Retrovelo

/in /by

Retrovelo Paul

Wow – this week’s bike is a doozy! Come in, have a look and before you know it you’ll be sauntering around town in style on this gorgeous khaki colored German made 7-speed Retrovelo Paul. Wide handlebars offer a relaxed position and give a sense of stability on every surface.  The steel frame absorbs major bumps in the road effectively and small vibrations are transformed into the humming of your balloon tires.

BOTW_RetroVelo600The frame size is 57 cm (22,5“) and comes equipped with built-in front and rear lights. Matching fenders and rear rack add to the beauty of this gorgeous bike. It’s ready to ride and available at The Bike Kitchen for $1200.

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 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.

Bike of The Week not your cup of tea? Still 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?

Become a member of Bike SLO County – it’s free to sign-up and we’ll keep you informed every month about bike events and issues in SLO County. Click this link to join: I Like Bikes!

 

Bike Rebuild Workshop

/in /by

Build (or rebuild) your Dream Bike

Our new Bike Rebuild Workshop starting on August 6th is a great way to learn bicycle maintenance by dismantling and rebuilding a bicycle for restoration. Students will be guided through purchasing appropriate parts and have the opportunity to powder coat through a local company, for an additional cost. Registration for this course is limited to 5 students.

Cookie_Kitchen_600Some parts* will be included in the registration fee ($200). This class is taught at the Bike Kitchen in SLO by Bike SLO County and certified League instructors using the curriculum from the League of American Bicyclists.

Day One: Thursday, August 6th 9am-12pm

  • learn the parts of the bike
  • dismantle a bike, a personal** bike or a bike kitchen bike
  • removal of wheels, tires and tubes
  • prepare the bike for powdercoating
  • create a parts list
  • if painting, choose color sample, bikes sent to coaters

Day Two: Thursday, August 13th 9am-12pm

  • Review of basic bicycle components
  • Clean and prep parts for reassemble
  • Review and confirm parts and parts list

Day Three: Thursday, August 20th 9am-12pm

  • Assemble your bike!

All Bike Rebuild Workshop participants will receive a free visit to the bike kitchen during August.

Ready to sign up? You can do that right here: Bike Rebuild Workshop Registration

Course agenda subject to change.

* Parts included: cables, black housing, loose ball bearings, grease, lube, miscellaneous small parts.

**Personal bikes must be cleared by Tyler Jamieson at least one week prior to class. Call 805-547-2055 to schedule bike check.