After serving the community from behind the recreation center at a relatively hidden location, the nonprofit Bikeworks virtually shines at its new location at 914 N. Pope St. in Silver City.
“It’s been a long slow soft opening,” said owner/manager Dave Baker.
The Bikeworks is now kicking off its Repair Workshop Series from 6-8 p.m. starting Wednesday, June 15, and will continue every Wednesday through the summer. The workshops are hands-on educational events where each participant has a complete tool set, work stand and work bench. Each workshop will address a different part of the bike with topics covered including brake systems, drivetrain and shifter systems, wheel building, bearing adjustment including hubs, headsets and bottom brackets, bike styles and fit, bike packing, road touring, roadside/trailside emergency repairs, hydraulics, as well as tune ups and overhauls.
Enrollment is capped at 12 participants per workshop with registration at $20 per workshop. A scholarship option funded by the community is offered. For a schedule or to register call 575-519-4172. And for more information contact Baker at silvercitybikeworks@gmail.com.
They offer a do-it-yourself program offering six work stations folks can use. There is a mechanic on duty for advice and help. There is a sliding-scale fee of $6-$10 an hour for the use of the resources.
“We have color-coded tool carts,” Baker said. “You can come in here grab a tool cart get a work stand and learn about your bike, how to adjust your brakes or gears if you need parts. We have parts, tools available.”
There is a retail component to Bikeworks as well. In addition to providing free bikes through the Earn-A-Bile program, they will repair donated bicycles to sell.
“We also do service,” he said. “If people want to support us, but just want their bikes fixed, we do that too. A lot of people who walk in the door want to learn how to fix their bike, but a lot just want their bike fixed.”
Baker has been working with area bicycle programs since 2006 when he met Jamie Thomson who was hosting an afterschool bike ride.
“I got on board with him and then we were looking for a space to do the program and we moved in behind the rec center in 2008,” he said. “It’s just been evolving from there and we got this building and bringing it back to life. Now working downtown has been exciting.”
