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free ride bike classes?

Anyone else doing these? I do some work on my own bikes but I have a lot of gaps in my knowledge and generally feel like a hack, so I thought I'd try it out and hopefully segue into volunteering there. If anyone is interested they said there are 2 spots left:


http://freeridepgh.org/learn/adult-classes/sunday-series-classes/


salty
2011-03-08 02:33:15

I would definitely need that, but I'll be busy the next few sundays with graduation stuff. Did they say if there'll be any open spots later in the summer?


rubberfactory
2011-03-08 02:40:00

Registration for each session doesn't open until 3 weeks before the first class. Looks like there are 6 sessions from now until Nov.


salty
2011-03-08 02:51:39

Some of the classes are also offered on women/trans night - Wednesdays. I took a few of the classes last summer: very helpful for basic stuff!


pseudacris
2011-03-08 03:07:48

i'll be there most of the day sunday soaking up the knowledge. just dedicate a few sundays and you'll cover all the stuff they do there.


je-nexistent-pas
2011-03-09 22:06:02

wow, I've actually never been to Free Ride before, it's pretty cool...


the class was entertaining - the "basic" part is definitely accurate but that's ok, and it looks like there are going to be some classes on things I never really learned how to do like truing wheels. but, if anyone is on the fence because you don't have any prior experience, definitely don't let that stop you.


one thing the class covered was flat tires. i was afraid to talk about my incredible 18+ month no-flats streak because i didn't want to jinx it, but alas - not soon after i left i got this funny feeling in my rear wheel. i thought my mind was just playing tricks on me, but that was not the case. i found a nasty old rusty tack in my tire. although, i always carry a spare tube so i (hopefully) don't have to patch a tube in the dark when it's cold... still a bummer, but i guess at least i can stop worrying about when it's gonna happen. lol.


salty
2011-03-14 03:49:13

haha. i bet the instructor did that to everyone for "homework"


erok
2011-03-14 19:47:01

not sure anyone else rode their bike to class :(


salty
2011-03-14 20:21:55

maybe they all had flats at home.


erok
2011-03-14 20:43:55

If you're riding to class, I'd recommend fixing a model bike at the shop, rather than your own. That way if you screw something up or run out of time, you can still get home.


sgtjonson
2011-03-14 21:13:37

Since this seems to be "top an old thread weekend"...


First - there are still slots available for the second session which starts this Sunday the 24th, sign up here: http://freeridepgh.org/learn/adult-classes/sunday-series-classes/


Now that I'm a graduate, here's my review... As I said before, the "basic" part is definitely accurate - even if you've never picked up a wrench in your life, you'll be fine. I'd say it's about half "classroom" and half "hands-on", where you grab a bike and do some work on it. It's definitely a great introduction to the major systems of a bike and you'll learn how to do some basic maintenance yourself.


I had some experience working on bikes but I still got a fair amount out of it. There were some things I'd never done before - and even the stuff I had, it was a good refresher.


Either way, there are worse ways to spend a Sunday night...


salty
2011-04-18 03:53:37