Women's Bike Mechanics Weekend

Join us to learn about how to look after, service and maintain you bike.

This weekend is delivered by the wonderful Alice Williams, of Ask Alice Bikes and supported by Hannah, who you may know from LGG's summer mechanics session. 

The course will be over two days, 9.30 to 5.30, Saturday and Sunday (no accommodation provided). 

During this weekend masterclass you will learn how to service your own bikes, just like the pros do. Gain knowledge and confidence now, save money and time in the future.

We'll cover: 

Bearing systems - understanding where the main bearings on the bicycle are and identify when they need servicing or replacement. Bearings to be checked include bottom bracket, headset, pedals and wheels.

Drivetrain - We will learn how to inspect our drivetrain for wear. We will remove the drivetrain; chain, cassette and chainset, clean it thoroughly and reinstall, tightening to torque. We will learn how to break and fit a new chain. We will learn how to know when to replace each component.

Brakes - we will look at different types of brakes and practice changing our pads and checking our rotors and rims. We will discuss the advantages of different types of brakes. We will learn how to adjust and align our brakes. Brake bleed demo (shimano).

Gears - We will practice how to replace a gear cable and index a rear derailleur, and also understand limit screws.

Ask Alice - Plenty of time will be set aside over the weekend for questions relating to other issues not covered by the above topics. Anything can be asked!

Nb. Please note your bike may not be ready to ride at end of Saturday so please make sure you have alternative transport option for Saturday night/Sunday morning.

All are welcome at this workshop, but please note this is more in depth than LGG's usual puncture/basic maintenance sessions, so is the perfect next step if you want to learn more and do more of your own mechanics. But wont cover things like punctures! 

Our workshops are welcoming and foster a collaborative learning environment welcoming questions and discussions.

You are welcome even if you haven't been on LGG ride before. We know many enjoy attending a workshop as a first step of confidence into the LGG community. Joining a event or ride can be scary and nerve-racking for many, we aim to create a friendly, sociable, welcoming environment for you, please join us. Do email lakesgravelgang@gmail.com if you have any questions or we can support you to join us in any way.

LGG events, rides and workshops are for all women, including trans women, and non binary folk who are comfortable in a space that centers the experience of women.

To bring:

• Your bike (cleanish so we don't make the hall too messy)
• Marigolds/medical gloves if you don't like dirty hands
• Tools provided but good to bring your own to practice with
• Bike work stand if you have one
• Dust sheet or similar for under your bike
• Replacement bottom bracket and/or brake pads if you know these need replacing (a friendly bike shop- e.g wheelbase will help you know which ones fit your bike!)
• Snacks/cake to share
• Packed lunch

VENUE DETAILS: 

Arrival from 9.15 am, sessions start 9.30am. 

There will be a lunch break where you can pop into Braithwaite for food if needed and lots of stops for tea and coffee and cake!

Braithwaite Institute has lots of parking and is on the X5 bus route- see note above about cycling there! (we will have a WhatsApp group for lift sharing if needed)

WAIT LIST

-If the event is sold out, please join the waitlist. 

COST + FUNDING

This course has been funded by Cumberland Council, as a legacy project to get more women cycling after the Women's Tour of Britain comes through West Cumbria. 

This means that the cost is subsidised from £140 per person, to £50 - with further subsidies available for those who need it. 

The Cumberland Council funding covers the entire cost of the course, with the £50 ticket fee being used to invest back into the LGG community, and part funding further mechanics sessions. 

We have 4 spaces reserved for community leaders, volunteers or cycling group representatives from Cumbria who will use the learning from this weekend to support their own projects. 

If you need any other accommodations or questions please reach out to lakesgravelgang@gmail.com -we're really keen to support in anyway needed (e.g payment plan for subsidized ticket cost!)

Monitoring and Evaluation

Due to this weekend being funded by Cumberland Council, we have monitoring and evaluation requirements to report back to them to show the impact of the funding. 

By signing up to this weekend you agree to complete both a baseline questionnaire, sent 1 week before, and a evaluation questionnaire, sent 1 day after the course. 

No personal data will be shared with the funders.