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Bike of the Week: Olmo 2-Speed

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

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

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.

Bike of The Week: Rockhopper

This week’s bike is the Rockhopper, a great entry-level mountain bike that also works great as a commuter/city bike with grip shifters allowing you to switch smoothly between 21 gears.

Perfect for someone about 5′ tall, this bike has seen very little use and is available now for only $200 in The Bike Kitchen.

BOTW_Rockhopper_450The Bike Kitchen is a program of The SLO County Bicycle Coalition. 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 The Bike Coalition – 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!

 

 

Advocacy Alert

Los Osos Bike Lanes

Stand up for Protected Bike Lanes in Los Osos

The Los Osos Community Advisory Council (LOCAC) is meeting at 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 28 at the South Bay Community Center to discuss the possibility of protected bike lanes on Los Osos Valley Road in Los Osos. We’d love to see LOCAC endorse protected bike lanes and strongly encourage all Los Osos area bicyclists, bicyclists who regularly ride Los Osos Valley Road and anyone who wants to show support to attend the meeting.

With LOCAC’s endorsement, it will be easier to convince the SLO County Public Works staff that there is community support for protected bike lanes. Please come out and stand up for better bike infrastructure in Los Osos. Better roads in Los Osos benefit bicycle riders (and automobile drivers) countywide.

What: Los Osos Community Advisory Council Meeting on Protected Bike Lanes

When: Thursday, May 28 7:00 PM

Where: South Bay Community Center, 2180 Palisades Avenue, Los Osos, 93402 (map)

Why: Bike Lanes!

Bike to Blues Baseball

Ride your Bike – Get in Free!

Rideshare, the SLO County Air Pollution Control District and the SLO County Bicycle Coalition are joining forces to encourage you to re-think how you get to and from your favorite activities. Sunday, May 31st is your chance to leave your car at home and Bike to the Blues Baseball game. KidicalMassFeatured520The first 200 adults who ride their bicycles to Sinsheimer Stadium in SLO get free admission to the game!

Want to ride to the game with others? Kidical Mass, The Family Bike Happening, is meeting up at 11:30 AM in Mitchell Park for a brief safety talk before we ride as a group on the Railroad Safety Trail to Sinsheimer Park Baseball Stadium to attend the Blues Baseball game which begins at 1PM. Bike Valet will be on hand to park bicycles during the game.

Please note that riding up and down the Jennifer Street Bridge may be too difficult for some children and plan accordingly.

Bike to Blues Baseball Kidical Mass Ride

When: May 31, 2015. Game at 1 PM, meet at Mitchell Park at 11:30 AM for group bike ride to Sinsheimer Stadium.

Where: Meet at Mitchell Park, SLO, ride to Sinsheimer Stadium. (route map)

Why: BIKES!

Volunteer at Bikes and Beauty

Our Bikes and Beauty volunteers are the best!

North County Bike Events

A busy week for bicycles in North County

Bike Month is going strong and this is a busy week for bicycles in North County! Check out these upcoming North County bike events:

  • On Wednesday May 20 our free Bike Valet will be parking bicycles at the Atascadero Farmers’ Market.
  • On Saturday May 23 our free Bike Valet will be back in North County, parking bikes at Paso Artsfest.
  • On Sunday May 24 we’re holding a Bike “Roadeo” in Paso Robles as part of this year’s Great Western Bicycle Rally.

Bike Valet at Atascadero Farmers’ Market

Throughout Rideshare‘s Bike Month we’ll be traveling around San Luis Obispo County to set up our free Bike Valet service at a number of Farmers’ Markets. Normally we set up on Thursday evenings at the Downtown Farmers’ Market in SLO, but thanks to a partnership with The SLO County Air Pollution Control District (APCD) and Rideshare we’ll be able to park bikes countywide this month. This is a fantastic opportunity to leave your car at home, grab your bicycle and pedal down to enjoy the sights, sounds, flavors and scents of your local Farmers’ Market.

What is Bike Valet and how does it work?

Our Bike Valet is our secure bike parking service, designed to encourage everyone to ride bicycles to community events. With over 37,000 bikes parked, we are experts at protecting your ride.

The Bike Valet works just like a regular valet service.

  1. Each rider is given a check tag that matches the tag attached to their bike.
  2. The bike is carefully parked in our secure lot.
  3. To retrieve a bike, the user hands in the check tag and the bike is returned.
  4. Easy peasy!

When and Where: May 20: Bike to Atascadero Farmers’ Market, 3 PM – 6 PM (map)

Bike Valet at PASO ARTSFEST

Celebrating the arts every Memorial Day Weekend in the Paso Robles City Park, this year the main event of PASO ARTSFEST will take place on Saturday, May 23, 2015. The day appeals to art fans of all ages, featuring the Local Stars Quick-Draw, an Outdoor Fine Art Show & Sale, a Wet Painting Sale & Auction, hands-on interactive art experiences all over the park, exciting musical guests, dance performances and many more entertaining and artistic surprises. The Saturday Main Event is always FREE to the public – and our free Bike Valet will be there to watch your bicycle while you enjoy the sights and sounds of ARTFEST.

When and Where: May 23: Bike Valet at PASO ARTSFEST, 9 AM – 5 PM (Next to the Paso Historical Society (map)

Bike Roadeo at Great Western Bicycle Rally

The Great Western Bicycle Rally brings all types of riders together for a 4 day festival of all things to do with bikes, set in one of the most idyllic cycling locations in California; Paso Robles, one of California’s nominated bicycle friendly cities. Part of the events include a Bicycle Roadeo. What’s that? A Bicycle Roadeo is a fun way to teach children about basic road skills, bike helmets and beginning street smarts.

When and Where: May 24: Bicycle Roadeo at Great Western Bicycle Rally, 9 AM – 11:30 AM Frontiertown, California Mid-State Fair Grounds, Paso Robles (map)