Mechanic Skills Class

[Miranda]

Look through here for the nearest Park Tool School. It is an excellent program that will take you through every system on your bike, using the Big Blue book as a text. Some shops even offer a discount on tool purchases if you take the course from them.

http://www.parktool.com/clinics_trai...toolschool.asp

Thank you for that link! That is what I had in mind. I looked for a dealer, and a couple came up that are about an hour travel, maybe a bit less. I like the way the program is laid out with the text book. One problem I've had in the past with non-bike related private tutoring is that the person may be the best at what they do... however, their organization and teaching skills are not.

Unless I am missing it, I don't see a price. I assume this varies by local and shop a bit. Well, I assume unlike anything else with bikes, nothing is ever cheap.

My only other thing that I thought about was an ad I see on and off in the back of Bicycling magazine. It's some type of ladies only retreat workshop that includes improving specific skills, and some mechanics. That's on my list of bike fantasy vacations. This one is in the Carolinas somewhere. That would be a plane ticket for the bike and I. That will take some long time selling to other non-bike loving folks at home. Hmmm... makes driving to tool school sound better, doesn't it? lol

[OakLeaf]

My only other thing that I thought about was an ad I see on and off in the back of Bicycling magazine. It's some type of ladies only retreat workshop that includes improving specific skills, and some mechanics. That's on my list of bike fantasy vacations.

I haven't seen the ad - was it Women's Quest? It was one of their retreats that got me back into cycling a couple of years ago. It was a wonderful experience with a lot of soul-searching and heart work besides the cycling - I highly recommend it! I actually blew off the little bike maintenance seminar they had though... already knew some, mostly because I just needed a rest that afternoon.

[Miranda]

I haven't seen the ad - was it Women's Quest? It was one of their retreats that got me back into cycling a couple of years ago. It was a wonderful experience with a lot of soul-searching and heart work besides the cycling - I highly recommend it! I actually blew off the little bike maintenance seminar they had though... already knew some, mostly because I just needed a rest that afternoon.

Oakleaf... hmm, I don't know if it's the same company. But it sure sounds like it. I googled the web site, sounds similiar. The old dates are not on there from 2008. It's been a while since I saw the ad. I just think that would be such a cool thing to go and do. Sound like you had a wonderful time.