I am so stoked to announce the start of regular Fender Bender nights, which are a result of the awesome feedback and support we got from our first meeting in January. The next Fender Bender skill share will happen Tuesday, February 23rd from 7:00pm-9:00pm, in the Back Alley Bikes space. This month we’re starting with the basics – fixin’ flats! Expect to patch tubes, learn wheel anatomy, and get introduced to important tools all in a totally hands on learning experience. If you already know how to fix a flat, we would love some help facilitating! Drop a line...

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Do Detroiters really deserve less bike access to Canada than the Buffalo/Niagara crossing, or even the Soo? Hundreds of people on bikes from all over America are coming to Detroit, June 22-26 to participate in The Second US Social Forum, including a group of bicyclists traveling through Ontario through upstate New York. Crossing the border by bicycle through Detroit is something we’ve noticed a few approaches to, and is something people ask us about all the time. Currently, there is no regularly scheduled method to cross the border via bicycle, (and people notice). It seems so obvious in many...

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The month of February is the shortest of the year which gives us less time to do more! This Wednesday and Thursday February 3rd and 4th will be this month’s volunteer meetings. The volunteer meetings are for everyone to get together and create a better volunteer night! This month’s topic will be ideas for our next work day at the end of winter. Other ideas on projects to start this winter are welcome. Last month we spoke about a new volunteer manual. This little book has contact information and frequently asked questions to get new volunteers acquainted to the...

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The first session of the 2010 Adult Mechanic Class began Sunday, January 31st. It is not too late to register for the remainder of this eight week session. The second class will be this Sunday, February 7th from 2-4pm and will continue every Sunday until the last class of the session on March 21st. Class payment is donation based and free for those unable to donate. We ask that when you register, that you commit to the entire eight week session. A donation of $40 or more receives a tool kit at the end of the eight weeks. To...

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While I’m updating the website, I must add a post about the adult mechanic classes starting this Sunday (January 31st)! The classes are aimed at folks around 18 years and older but we can get flexible. The class has eight sessions that run every Sunday at 2pm in the Back Alley Bikes space. We try to keep the class size just right so we can have enough materials for people, so we ask that you sign up for the class first! You can either stop by the shop or email us to let us know you are coming. We...

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The organizers of the Fender Bender program (which starts tonight!) have put a questionnaire online for participants to fill out. Even if you can’t make it tonight but want to be involved in the future, they would love your input. You can check out the questions in pdf format here or if you don’t have those capabilities on your computer, you can read the questions at the blog. Also, since the program and the blog are both new developments we are working on creating a space with a permenant link on our website here to find the Fender Bender...

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Remember that presentation/meeting/gathering at 2nd Baptist Church I wrote about back in october? One of the speakers, Special Projects Coordinator Ginny Sullivan of the ACA, wrote her most recent “Connections” blog about her experience here, highlighting some of the rich history and awesome upcoming expansion of their UGRR bicycle route to include Detroit! Check it out: http://blog.adventurecycling.org/2010/01/underground-railroad-bicycle-route.html

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January is so full of fun, it is ridiculous! If you remember, our dear friend Angie ran a few Women’s night events last year.  There was a controversial thread on the topic. Well, some of our volunteers (Liz, Sarah and Vanessa) decided they wanted to put together their own night and even started their own blog for the program. So check that out. Even more good news is that Angie lives in Detroit again and will be working with the group as well. The first night of Fender Bender will be on Tuesday, January 26th from 7pm to 9pm....

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Hey everyone, This Wednesday is the first volunteer night of 2010.  I know you’ve been waiting for it.  The first volunteer nights of the month also brings Volunteer meetings.  For those of you that don’t know, volunteer meetings go from 5pm-6pm before regular volunteer night on the first consecutive Wednesday and Thursday of the month. This month we will be talking about the creation of a new volunteer manual.  So it may be too late for some of you, but come discuss all the things you wanted to know when you started volunteering, or if you are new, come...

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