UBI April 14-25

[DebW]

I signed up for the UBI Professional Repair course on April 14-25. I got turned down by 2 shops for a part-time jobs this year, so decided to do the course and become employable. So, questions to you in the PNW:

What will Ashland, Oregon be like in April? I'll have my bike, so should be able to enjoy some local riding. Apparently lots to see and do in the area. Anyone want to recommend the best things for a limited time (one weekend)?

Any way I can meet some of you PNW/No. Cali riders? On the middle/before/after weekend? In Ashland, Portland, Seattle?

[Starfish]

Wow, Ashland should be glorious in April. I love it down there. (Someone more local down that way will have to tell you what to do and where to go, though...I just love the country and have always enjoyed the Shakespeare festival in the summer.)

It is about 10-11 hours from where I am, though, so probably no meet-up for me! (I'm also 3 hours from Seattle.)

Just wanted to encourage you. I REALLY love that part of the PNW.

[KnottedYet]

I'd really like to come down and say "howdy." We'll see what transpires here in my crazy world.

[Tuckervill]

I'm so jealous!

I did look at UBI's website extensively a few months ago, and it seems there are some links on there to stuff around town. I hear Asheville is a fabulous town, too.

Karen

[Thorn]

Oh, please, please, please, post a review when you're done?!?!?!?! I'm seriously thinking that next winter's "vacation" will be a trip to either UBI or Barnett.

I used to do all my own wrenching 25 years ago (not to your level--just the garage mechanic level for a couple of people). I'm thinking the fastest way to get up to speed again would be to take a course. No one here locally is even doing the Park Tool courses. But, more importantly, the certification, would be very useful when I decide to retire into a different career.

[newfsmith]

I'll be going to the women's maintenence course at UBI in late June. I figure I will be able to more of my own wrenching, but I'm hoping to learn more about fitting bikes for women. With my arthritic hands I don't see much chance of me being able to actually work full time as a mechanic, but I might be able to get a sales job if I could show some credentials as a fitter. I will really want to hear what you think of the course.

[KnottedYet]

newf - consider taking the Serrotta fitting course, or the course from Michael Sylvester (who designed the Serrotta fit system) www.bicyclefittingservices.com Michael is an amazing teacher and his course is just wonderful!

[DebW]

Bad news. UBI was booked for the April class. The next class with openings is July 7-18, so I signed up for that one.

[Starfish]

Bad news. UBI was booked for the April class. The next class with openings is July 7-18, so I signed up for that one.

Even better!! Sign up NOW for some plays. The festival is great.

ETA: And then hang around and do the Shasta ride on 8/3!!

[DebW]

UBI had a cancellation for the April 14-25 course, so I'm going there in less than two weeks! Just bought my plane ticket.

[KnottedYet]

Road trip in the offing to UBI and DebW!!

(dependent on child care and dog care on my end)

TE camping party in the nearest campground, anyone?

[DebW]

I can probably bring camping gear and drive to some intermediate place (in northern Oregon?). Will this be the first TE camping party? Does Stinky Butt Dog like to camp?

[MM_QFC!]

good luck with the course, Deb; I'm sure you'll enjoy it and beautiful southern Oregon too.
I'll be going north to ride in the Skagit Valley (you'll be in/near the Rogue River valley - gorgeous!) with Jesvetmed and hopefully a few other TE riders that weekend, as I need to spend more time in the saddle, rather than behind the wheel!
Have tons o' fun...Mary

[DebW]

The middle weekend I'm at UBI, there is an open club ride by the Siskiyou Velo Club: 50 mile moderate ride to Rogue River and return, tandems welcome. What more could I ask for?

[DebW]

I arrived yesterday around 1 pm to warm sunny weather. Checked into the hostel, bought some groceries, and took a 20 mile ride on the Bear Creek multi-use trail. Today it's rainy. UBI is loads of fun. My only complain so far is that they give you too many breaks (10-15 minutes every hour). Today we learned to use vernier calipers and thread pitch gages, then overhauled hubs. I learned 1 new thing about Shimano rear hubs (a rubber washer that can bind if you don't watch it). We did Campy hubs too, and they were very different. I used a torque wrench today too.

Only 15 minutes per day of internet time at the library, so have to go. Bye.