SBK Events

First, the cooler weather is inspiring even those of us who bike through fog and flood to take a break and spend some time indoors.  This means SBK’s public classes are rolling right along.  If you’re a prospective rider looking for tips on how to find a good bike on the Internet, a cyclist looking to start fixing your own flats, or an experienced roadie looking to repack your hub bearings, we’ve got the classes for you!  We’ve covered them here before, so check http://sacbikekitchen.org/2011/10/upcoming-classes/ for dates, details, and registration instructions.

Our monthly Shift Rides are chugging along, too.  This month, one of our Thursday shifts goes on the chopping block.  So Thursday, November 17th, come join us on a fun little ride from our shop.  The ride leaves at 6:00 PM, and like a true collective, we’ll hammer out the destination when we all assemble.  Bring a working bike (’cause we ain’t doin’ no wrenching), lights, and a fun attitude.

Other Events

Looking beyond our ivy-covered walls, the do-goodniks at the Sacramento Area Bicycle Advocates are hosting VeloBall, their 20th anniversary party, on Saturday, November 19th, featuring a live auction, silent auction, bar, music, dancing, dinner, and a raging good time.  Check SABA’s web page at http://sacbike.org/veloball/ for tickets.  Word on the street is that they need volunteers to help with the event, too; if you’ve got a hand to lend, volunteer coordinator Larry Robinson will put it to use.

And of course, cooler weather means we can finally start digging that moth-eaten wool out of our closets and start getting ready for the Sacramento Tweed Ride, on Sunday, November 13. Rick Houston’s providing pretty frequent updates over at http://sactotweed.blogspot.com/, including the just-posted ride route, a slick poster, and a tie-in with next year’s NAHBS.

More SBK Events

If you still want your SBK fix, your favorites are still around.  We’re happily hosting our third Bicyclette! on Monday, November 21 at 6:00 PM.  This is a special shop shift open to all women, transgender, queer, femmes, and anyone else who has had gender bias, homophobia, or transphobia impede them from participating in bicycle mechanics.

And, of course, SBK Second Saturday this year is bringing in the big guns; we haven’t had some heavy rock ‘n’ roll in a while, so on November 12th, we’re bringing in 50 Watt Heavy to shake our walls and frighten our neighbors, after an acoustic set from Sherman Baker and an acoustic/rock ‘n’ roll set from Blame the Bishop. All with the same delicious beer you’ve come to expect from us for the last three years.

We’ll also be closed for Thanksgiving, but chances are you’ll see most of the usual suspects out at the Appetite Enhancement Ride.

Finally, a special congratulations to Core volunteers Doug and Emjay.  After years of helping us keep our shop going, we’re pleased as punch to be able to host their wedding this November, as well.  All of us around here wish you two all the best.  Now, we just need to find them a nice tandem…

So, in the next few months, you can look forward to a few changes:

More frequent classes

Teaching bike maintenance is a big part of our mission.  Though we haven’t been as up on that as we’d like, we’ll be ending 2011 with a wealth of classes.  We’re offering our basic maintenance class once a month starting on November 20.  Before that, we’ll have  a few other classes on winterizing your bike (October 30), what to look for when buying a bike on Craigslist (November 6), and overhauling your hubs (no date set).  We’ll have more details very soon.

Monthly SBK rides

For the first time in what seems like forever, we put down our wrenches for a day last September and took off to ride those two-wheeled contraptions we love so much.  We had such a great time, we’ve decided to make that an ongoing thing.  So look forward to more SBK rides as we shut down a different shift each month to get a little quality time in the saddle and out with friends.  If you show up this  Wednesday, October 19, bring a bike that’s ready to ride, cause we ain’t gonna be wrenching!

More volunteer hours and training opportunities

Just like our public classes have tapered off, so did our volunteer time, but that’s all changing.  We’re planning on opening our shop more often to our underpaid and overworked volunteer staff, to give them more chances to work on their own projects, get more experience wrenching on different bikes, and to help beef up the camaraderie that makes our shop so much fun already.

Special events

Last month’s inaugural Bicyclette! — shop time exclusively for our female and LGBT patrons — humbled us with the turnout and energy, and we’re happy to see it take off on the third Monday of each month, including tomorrow, October 17, from 6PM to 9PM.

And like last year, we’ll be closing down again this Christmas and New Years weeks to work on the shop itself.  This year, we’re looking for a few artists to help us use up a few gallons of paint we’ve had donated.  If you’d like to help out but you’re handier with a hammer than a brush, give us a buzz; we’ll have plenty of projects to work on.

-SBK

-SBK

Class description: will cover the general design of various bottom bracket mechanisms, including old cottered crank bottom brackets, cotterless square tapered bottom brackets, and sealed cartridge bottom bracket units.

If we have enough time, you will see and learn to service each of
the above mentioned bottom brackets. Service includes removal of crank arms,
disassembly of bottom bracket (or removal of sealed cartridge), cleaning and
assessment of overall condition (with possible need for replacement
of various parts), and re-lubrication and reassembly and adjustment.

Class duration is two hours, possibly longer depending on number of students and
availability of advisory staff mechanics. If you want to work on your particular bike, bring it along.

To reserve a spot in the class, please RSVP to and...@sacbikekitchen.org

Class Description: Gaining the confidence to fix your bike in the field. When flats strike whether cruising on the bike trail, commuting down N St., laying the smack down at the polo grounds, or taking the training wheels off for the first time, YOU can make the difference between a no-good, very-bad day, and riding off into the sunset!

Join Paul on a mission to free your mind and gain confidence to ride further than you can walk home! We will be learning how to fix flats using a patch kit, adjust brakes and derailleurs with your bare hands, and get scrappy using materials you can find anywhere. It’s a jungle out there, grab life by the bullhorns!

To reserve a spot in the class, please RSVP to andrea@sacbikekitchen.org

Stay tuned for more information on upcoming classes.

Stay tuned for more information on upcoming classes.

Back by popular demand, this year’s event looks to be even bigger.  Here’s your chance to get a great deal on used bikes, parts and clothing from other bike riders and enthusiasts.  If you’ve been waiting to sell something — old, new, vintage, or perhaps something that’s been sitting in your garage, this is a great opportunity to finally get it done.  Proceeds will go to benefit both non-profit organizations: The Sac Bike Kitchen and The Friends of Fremont Park.

There are only so many spots available and are reserved on a first-come, first serve basis.

WHEN: Sunday, May 22nd, 9-2PM (rain date Sunday, June 5th)
WHERE: Fremont Park in Midtown Sacramento, 1 square block, between P&Q and 15th &16th Streets.  It’s the green space located in front of the the restaurant Hot Italian.

ADMISSION: FREE!
RESERVE A SPACE:  register at:  www.fremontpark.net
• 10′ x 10′ space – $10.00
• Each additional space 10′ x 10′ is $10.00
Check-in starts at 8 AM.  All reserved spots must be claimed and paid for by 8:30 or will be forfeited.  NO EXCEPTIONS.

FAQs:
No cars are allowed in the park.  Items must be carried or rolled in.
Since this is Sunday, most parking in the area is free!
Set up can start as early as 8:00 AM
For information, contact:  fremontpark@gmail.com

We look forward to seeing you at the Park!

With Build-A-Thon over, we’re going back to our normal operating hours.  When you come in and see our racks full of ready-to-roll bikes, think of the volunteer time that went into those bikes, and give our staff a hearty clap on the back — they’ve earned it!