Since biking is going to be my main form of transportation, I took a 3-hour maintenance class today at BICAS (Bicycle Inter-Community Art and Salvage) for $20. Turns out I was the only person there, so it was a private lesson with a very thorough tune-up.
BICAS is part classroom, part art studio, and part repair shop. It's a cool place: you can do a work-exchange there for a certain number of hours and get credit toward purchasing bike parts or a full bicycle. You can also learn how to build a bike from scratch, take community social justice classes, and create art.
The Shop
Art Studio Section
Bicycle Classroom
The Patient
The Med Student
The Doctor-Teacher: Ash
By the time the class was over, I had learned how to remove, disassemble, and reassemble my wheels (did you know there is a separate inner tube underneath the part you see?); check for holes (the best way is with your tongue because of its sensitive nerve endings - so I licked a tire a few times) and patch them, rewire breaks, smooth the rickets in gears, and adjust a seat to the proper length. Ash gave me tons of other information about my bike, as well, but I can't remember it all. I'm happy to know how to fix a flat for the time being.
Evidence of My Hard Work
Happy Bicycle
The End
Amy! I love what you're doing. You are completely embracing Tucson and all it can offer. I look forward to seeing what you do next. Best wishes amiga :) Debi
ReplyDelete