rev:text
| - Last year, I rode my vintage bike all summer but didn't learn much about bike maintenance - then my trusty steed's chain broke last fall and I didn't bother fixing it before I put it away for the winter. Now, with daylight extending past work hours and the layers being shed, I was eager to get back on my ride.
I headed to Bike Pirates yesterday, as I wanted to actually learn how to give my bike a little TLC. The volunteers were wonderful - Andy met me at the door and helped me load my bike onto a rack, then directed me as the best way to start fixing up my jalopy. This is a community bike space, so there are tools and parts available for everyone to use. Everything is clearly labeled and any time I had questions, all of the volunteers were eager to help me out.
My bike's issues were a little more extensive than I'd originally thought, and I ended up learning about the mechanisms of my bike and how to adjust the back wheel. Any time that I had any questions, there was someone experienced there to help me out - Lisa and Andy gave me great advice, and made me feel totally capable of handling my repairs myself. Two hours later, with some greasy nails, I pedaled my way home with a great sense of satisfaction and gratitude for the awesome crew.
This place has used and new parts available - I bought a new bike chain for $10 - and the spaces operates on donations, which I was more than happy to give. The vibe was friendly and fun - someone cooked a vegan lunch around 5 and everyone (not just the volunteers) was invited to join.
I'm sorry to hear the original reviewer felt discriminated against when he stopped by to pick up an item on Women and Trans-Only day. I researched their site beforehand and was encouraged by the fact they had a day set aside - I think the intention is to make the space feel safe and welcoming to everyone, and those groups can feel intimidated by traditional bike culture. I know I was certainly more inclined to go because it was a W&T Only day, and I saw a sign out front advertising the designation and asking people to respect it. Bike Pirates is open another 4 days of the week when all are welcome.
|