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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!

 

 

Bikes & Beauty

Bikes and Beauty 2015 Recap

This year’s Bikes & Beauty Fashion Show Party was a blast! This year was bigger than ever and it was a joy to see so many bike-minded folks come out to celebrate. BikesBeauty2015WPWe got lots of fun photos from Barry Lewis and you can see them all over on flickr:

Bike Fashion Show Photos

(We’ll post a link to the photo-booth photos next week!)

We’re so excited by how amazing this year’s show was that we’re already opening up our interest form for next year. Want to participate in next year’s show – as a designer, model or volunteer? Sign up here and we’ll keep in the loop: Bikes & Beauty 2016 Interest Form.

The Bikes & Beauty party wouldn’t be possible without the support of the bike community and our generous Bikes & Beauty sponsors:

Flanders_logo  RRMDesignGroup_Logo Peloton_Logo_4C_1_253 cooplogo

MeeHengLow_Logo              EE-100

bhbc-circlelogo_100  KOMPLETE100  linnaeas_logo    BTD100    CCB_Logo_Arched100

 

Finally, a huge hug to the fine folks at iFixit for opening up their fantastic space to the community. 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!

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

Fill out my online form.

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)

Bike to Burritos Fundraiser

Like Bikes? Like Burritos?

Bike Month…Burritos…Bicycle Coalition….try saying that three times then join us on Wednesday May 20 as Chipotle Mexican Grill in San Luis Obispo puts on a fundraiser to support the Bicycle Coalition during Bike Month! Fifty percent of the proceeds will go to the Bike Coalition. This is a great way to fuel your numerous Bike Month rides and support the programs and efforts of the Bike Coalition at the same time. Win win!

How does it work?

It’s easy! Go to Chipotle. Order food. Then any of these options will work:

  • If you have a smartphone, simply show the Chipotle cashier this post on your phone.
  • Tell the cashier that you’re there to support the Bike Coalition.
  • Stop by the Bike Kitchen on Friday, Saturday or Sunday from Noon-5 PM and pick up a flyer to give to the cashier.

What: Bike to Burritos at the Chiplotle Mexican Grill Benefit for The SLO County Bicycle Coalition

Where: Chipotle Mexican Grill, 853 Higuera St, SLO 93401 (map)

When: Wednesday, May 20, 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Why: Bike Month…Burritos…Bike Coalition!

Chipotle600

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!

Bike to Work Day!

Can Every Day Be Bike to Work Day?

While we’d love to see every day be Bike to Work Day, this Friday, May 15th 2015 is in fact Bike to Work Day all over SLO County.

diana400What is Bike to Work Day? It’s a national celebration to encourage people to try bicycle commuting as a healthy and safe alternative to driving. Participants of Bike to Work Day are encouraged to make stops at locations around SLO County that will provide them with the fuel they need to complete their commutes!

This year there will be special Bike to Work Day events in Atascadero, Grover Beach, Morro Bay, Paso Robles and San Luis Obispo sponsored by Rideshare’s Back ‘N’ Forth Club. The Back ‘N’ Forth Club is the region’s employer commute program. To learn more about the Back ‘N’ Forth Club visit iRideshare.org

Bike to one of these events on your way to work and have breakfast, get great giveaways and earn a chance to win a new bicycle at the Bike Month Blowout on June 4th.

Where can I participate?

SOUTH COUNTY:

  • Location: Voler (Manhattan Ave, Grover Beach)
  • Time: 7 a.m. to 9 a.m.
  • Giveaways, chances to win, free bike safety inspections, Station Grill breakfast burritos, muffins, granola bars, coffee, and Back ‘N’ Forth Club reflective snap bands
  • Partners: Grover Beach Parks & Rec, Trinity Cyclery, Voler

SLO DOWNTOWN AREA:

  • Location: SLO Bike & Run (Marsh St, SLO)
  • Time: 7 a.m. to 9 a.m.
  • Enjoy Splash Café breakfast burritos, donuts, vegetarian options, coffee, juice, free bike and helmet inspections, giveaways, kid-friendly event, and Back ‘N’ Forth Club reflective snap bands
  • Partners: SLO County, SLO Bike & Run, Clever Ducks

SLO AIRPORT AREA:

  • Location: SESLOC FCU (Broad St, SLO)
  • Time: 7 a.m. to 9 a.m.
  • Breakfast burritos, snack bars, coffee, beverages, live music, Lezyne giveaways, chances to win, Bike Month t-shirt pick-up location, and Back ‘N’ Forth Club reflective snap bands
  • Partners: MINDBODY, SESLOC, Lezyne, SRAM

MORRO BAY:

  • Location: Morro Bay City Park (Harbor St & Morro Bay Blvd)
  • Time: 7 a.m. to 9 a.m.
  • Breakfast burritos, chips & dip, coffee, juice, live radio broadcast, bike fixit, giveaways, and Back ‘N’ Forth Club reflective snap bands
  • Partners: Chamber of Commerce, Morro Bay Bike Shop, Lolo’s, 97.3 The Rock

ATASCADERO:

  • Location: Atascadero Chamber of Commerce parking lot (El Camino Real, Atascadero)
  • Time: 7 a.m. to 9 a.m.
  • Breakfast burritos, fruit, granola bars, yogurt, coffee, juice, bike safety checks, giveaways, and Back ‘N’ Forth Club reflective snap bands
  • Partners: KMAN Cyclery, Atascadero Chamber, Galaxy Theatres, Solarponics, Go for It! Sports

PASO ROBLES:

  • Location: Paso Robles Library parking lot
  • Time: 7 a.m. to 9 a.m.
  • Breakfast, beverages, giveaways, bike safety checks, and Back ‘N’ Forth Club reflective snap bands
  • Partners: Library/Parks & Rec, Best Bike Zone

Want more information about Bike Month events in SLO County? Head over to Rideshare for all the latest Bike Month information: https://rideshare.org/BikeMonth

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!