• First, we’d all like to give thanks to Paul, who will be graciously running our Tuesday shift on November 22nd.
• Second, we’d like to give thanks to Vince and the crew behind the Appetite Enhancement Ride, providing the usual scads of food, libations, jams, bikes, camaraderie, and all-around awesomeness at the California Auto Museum on Thanksgiving morning, November 24th.
• Third, we’d like to give thanks to Mel for opening the shop for our normal Saturday shift on November 27th.

And of course, we’d like to give thanks to all of the volunteers, customers, and donors who have supported us over the last five years and counting. It’s very humbling to be a part of such a wonderful organization and bring such a unique service such a grateful community.

SBK Thanksgiving Week Hours:
Tuesday, Nov 22: Open 6pm – 9pm
Wednesday, Nov 23: Closed
Thursday, Nov 24: Closed
Friday, Nov 25 (day shift): Closed
Saturday, Nov 26: Open Noon – 4pm

-SBK

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…

Winterizing your bike

Sunday, October 30, 1:00 PM.

Suggested donation: $5 at the door.

Limited seats available; e-mail register@sacbikekitchen.org to preregister.

Instructor: Mel Melvin.

This class will cover how to winterize your bike, winter bike maintenance, dressing, riding safety and commuting tips.  The class will be taught by the intrepid Mel Melvin, a veteran year-round bicycle commuter.  Come one, come all and learn how to stay dry and safe during these winter months.  You don’t have to put your bike away for the winter, you just have to be prepared!

Finding True Love on the Internet: A guide to buying bikes on Craigslist

Sunday, November 6, 1:00 PM.

Suggested donation: $10 at the door.

15 seats available; e-mail register@sacbikekitchen.org to preregister.

Instructor: Mike Larmer.

This one session class will cover the various aspects of delineating, discovering, and buying a used bicycle that is right for you using available resources on the internet with particular attention to Craigslist.

Topics will include some basics of bicycle construction, some reference to the history of bicycles in the USofA since the 70′s bike boom, a general overview of frame construction, geometry, and components, and some basic rules for survival in the  Craigslist jungle environment. The focus will be on steel framed bicycles, with a particular lengthy digression into the world of high end double butted steel road bikes…..if you think this refers to a bicycle with two saddles, this class is probably not for you. If you are a fixed gear fanatic, a carbon fiber fan, or in general a weight weenie; again, this is not the class you want to take, because the instructor will hold you up for ridicule.

Basic maintenance

Sunday, November 20, 12:00 PM.

Suggested donation: $10 at the door.

10 seats available; e-mail register@sacbikekitchen.org to preregister.

Instructor: Ryan Sharpe.

A two-hour introductory course in bicycle maintenance, focusing on fixing the most common problems and making simple adjustments.  It will feature a general overview of the parts of a bike, how to remove and replace a tire and tube, how to patch a tube, how to adjust brakes and derailleurs, and how to adjust a bike to fit the rider comfortably.

Overhauling your hub

Sunday, December 4, 1:00 PM.

Suggested donation: $15 at the door.

4 seats available; e-mail register@sacbikekitchen.org to preregister.

Instructor: Mel Melvin.

Don’t be frightened of the inner workings of your bicycle.  Open that thing up and get greasy!  In this class you will take apart, clean, and re-pack your front hub.  This simple maintenance procedure will keep your wheels rollin’ smooth and fast.

Mel Melvin is a longtime volunteer at SBK and a veteran year-round bike commuter.  He commonly shames our other volunteers with his steadfast dedication to our hectic Saturday day shift.

Mike Larmer is a long time bicycle junkie and retro roadie fan, who has been logging significant commuting and sport riding miles since his college years in the early 1970′s (he is old). He currently serves as custodian and maintenance staff to an embarrassingly large fleet of high end road bikes from the 70′s, 80′s, and very early 90′s. His last new bicycle was given to him on his thirteenth birthday, a maroon 3 speed Dunelt, which was stolen in Charleston, S.C. during his term of active duty service in the United States Navy. A pox upon the thief (may he burn in hell.)  He thus has possession of an esoteric body of knowledge with regard to steel framed bicycles (and what makes a good one), their selection, maintenance, and use. It appears that there is an audience for this information, and if nothing else, every bike you buy on Craigslist before he can contributes to the longevity of his marriage.

Ryan Sharpe picked up the bike bug reorganizing Sacramento Critical Mass in 2007 before holding down a regular clerking shift at SBK in early 2009.  Through exposure, osmosis, and thickheadedness he’s managed to learn a thing or two about keeping a bike on the road in one piece.

Regular hours will resume on Thursday, October 20th, at 6pm.

In all that time, the number of SBK group rides we’ve gone on: 0.

To rectify this gross violation of priorities, we’ll be taking the day off on Tuesday, September 6, to let our hard working volunteers go on a ride.  True to form, we don’t know where we’re going or what we’ll end up doing, but we also won’t turn anyone away that wants to tag along.  Show up at the Kitchen at 6:00, and we’ll take it from there.

If your bike needs help, we’ll be back to normal shifts on Wednesday, September 7.

–Doug, Kids’ Night Shift Manager

February will be so full of men and guitars you won’t know what to do with yourself. Come check it out!