Mechanics classes at Mount Ranier bike co-op

[Cataboo]

copied from Craigslist:

NEW Location:
3601 Bunker Hill Road
Mt Rainier, MD 20712

Open Shop Hours:
for this week's hours!
The shop can also be opened for special appointments. Since we’re staffed by volunteers,
you might want to call before you come just to make sure we’re open!

NEW MRBC Phone Number:
301-277-2110


Mechanics Classes

MRBC offers a series of basic bicycle repair classes. Mechanics classes are currently held on Sundays from 4-5:30pm, and are open to all. Please find the topic of the class for a specific date on the Calendar tab above. Topics include:

bottom bracket overhaul
hub overhaul
headset overhaul
dérailleur adjustment
brakes adjustment
cable replacement
shifter and brakes installation
Topics cycle through, so if you miss one that you want to take, just wait a few weeks and it will repeat. Please contact the instructor PJ Park at pauljosephpark@gmail.com with any questions.

We reclaim, refurbish, and redistribute used bicycles that would otherwise be heading for the landfill, teach mechanics to youth and adults, and partner with local organizations to promote an inclusive and responsible bicycling community. While the MRBC focuses its services on the residents of Mount Rainier, the shop and its programs are open to all on a donation basis.

[Kalidurga]

Why do I never hear about things like this in areas closer to home? I would love to attend some of those classes, but Mt Rainer is not terribly convenient.

[Cataboo]

Why do I never hear about things like this in areas closer to home? I would love to attend some of those classes, but Mt Rainer is not terribly convenient.

Because I've never seen them advertised on craigslist anywhere near you?

Doesn't REI do bike maintenance courses periodically?

Unfortunately, our area isn't studied with bike co-ops... I think there's one in virginia?

[divingbiker]

Why do I never hear about things like this in areas closer to home? I would love to attend some of those classes, but Mt Rainer is not terribly convenient.

Oh, come on, KD, it's only about 45 minutes away (at most) in Sunday afternoon traffic! But you'd have to drive the beltway. You should come over, we could have lunch, do a road ride in the Agricultural Reserve area, then take a class.

[Kalidurga]

I've gotten so used to all my back roads out west and up north that I don't like the Beltway anymore. I haven't even been out to the Merkle/Patuxent area since the last time we did Rosey. But if you throw in lunch and a ride in the Ag Reserve, I could maybe get over my aversion.

I'd love to learn more about derailleur and brake adjustment, and to be able to do cable replacement (though that also requires bar wrapping...). And, yeah, we definitely need more co-ops over thisaways. I'm surprised Frederick hasn't set one up yet.

[Cataboo]

I've gotten so used to all my back roads out west and up north that I don't like the Beltway anymore. I haven't even been out to the Merkle/Patuxent area since the last time we did Rosey. But if you throw in lunch and a ride in the Ag Reserve, I could maybe get over my aversion.

I'd love to learn more about derailleur and brake adjustment, and to be able to do cable replacement (though that also requires bar wrapping...). And, yeah, we definitely need more co-ops over thisaways. I'm surprised Frederick hasn't set one up yet.

I'm getting close to enough spare parts. You guys should fundraise, and I'll set one up.

Bar wrapping & cable replacement not a big deal - of course, you would have to know where to put your derailleurs afterwards.

[tulip]

Really, Mount Rainier is not so far. I commuted between there and Alexandria for work every day on my bike--14 miles. It's four miles, yes four miles from Logan Circle.

Kalidurga, I don't know where you live, but I would wager that there are plenty of ways to get around the region that do not involve the Beltway. Plus, on the weekends you could put your bike on the Metro and not deal with traffic at all (from W. Hyattsville station on the green (and yellow now?) line).

Plus, if you did come on the beltway, you could hit up Ikea on College Park. And that great bagel place, too. :rolleyes:

Have fun, whoever does this. I wish I still lived there and I'd certainly sign up. PJ's pretty amazing. He rode his bike from MR to Veracruz Mexico a few years ago. He was trying to get to Brazil, but had to come back for his sister's wedding.