Day 1 of Bike to School Bootcamp we learned the parts of the bike & safety inspected our bikes. We fixed:
3 loose threaded stems,
2 wobbly wheels,
2 derailleur limits,
3 sets of brakes,
a not-straight front wheel,
a chain stuck between the bottom bracket & the crank, &
2 flat tires!
We also spent time outside doing basic bike handling skills like step-off stops, power-position starts, shifting down before corners, & scanning behind you before changing position in the lane.
Day 2 of Bike to School Bootcamp we learned about State bike laws and walked our ride route to learn about Level of Traffic Stress and lane positioning. Then, we stopped at the bus station to check out the bike repair stand and to teach the kids how to ride the bus with their free Youth passes. It was the 1st/2nd/3rd time for these kids. We rode one stop and hopped off. Then back inside to discuss bike crash data and then plan a route avoiding high stress routes.
@HayiWena Have done similar for local boy scout troop before bike trips. OMG. So much repair.
Then there was that guy who (on trip) rode bike to beach, dropped it on sand right side down, sand converted "freewheel" into "wheel". Had to ride that bike from camp to ferry, me coaching on the way, "don't stop pedaling, keep the chain moving". We made it!
@HayiWena@dr2chase 😂 it seems like many kids are given bikes that are just trashed, even if their parent bought it new and assembled it themselves, nothing worked right
@enobacon@dr2chase In this case, one bike I worked on last week (it was stolen and then dumped after the guy shifted the chain into the wheel), but I didn't check the stem or front derailleur limits. Another bike I worked on 2 years ago and gave to them but it's had use and no maintenance since. Another I was there when they bought it used 2 years ago, same thing--use and no maintenance. The 4th bike was a Huffy with internal routing & 13mm axle bolts.
Add comment