CHESTERFIELD, Va. – On Saturday, May 21, the Chester library hosted “Get Your Wheels on the Road,” a bike workshop presented by the Rag & Bones Bicycle Cooperative of Richmond. A volunteer-run shop, located in Scott’s Addition, Rag & Bones offers workshops and public tools, sells affordable bikes, and teaches bike maintenance and safety. The library Saturday program, aimed toward families but welcoming of all, promoted safe riding and “do-it-yourself” bike maintenance, just in time for the upcoming summer months. Attendees brought their bikes for simple checks, allowing for interactive and individualized instruction.
To begin her presentation, Anne Dunckel, a volunteer at Rag & Bones, reminded the attending families of basic safety rules. Bicyclists should ride alongside traffic on the right side of the road, abiding by the same traffic laws, and should always wear a helmet, the front of the helmet worn across the forehead like a baseball cap.
Dunckel next discussed proper bike care. Although the “iron horse” may seem daunting or complicated to repair, bicycle maintenance and fixes are usually straightforward and achievable by the average bike owner. In fact, one of the easiest and most important methods to maintain a healthy bike is shielding it from the rain and other natural elements. Additionally, most repairs do not require special tools but can be completed with everyday tools like screwdrivers and 15mm wrenches or with easily attainable tools like tire patching kits and hexagonal wrenches.
Dunckel said tackling bike repairs often boils down to confidence and with these tips owners hopefully will become more assured of their abilities.
Before mounting a bike, riders should review a simple ABC checklist for safe riding, examining the air pressure of the tires, the brakes, and the chain. As a general rule, tires should be pumped every two weeks if used frequently or once a month if more infrequently. Proper air pressures and tire sizes are listed along the rims of the tires for easy reference. Tires should be replaced if threads are exposed, if the rubber is cracking, or if the words on the rims are no longer legible. Bike tires often can be recycled at the same facilities as car tires. When checking the brakes, brake levers when squeezed should not touch the handlebars. The chain also requires basic maintenance, needing lubrication and greasing about once a month to ensure a smooth ride.
Throughout her informative session, Dunckel delivered a fun and interactive presentation, the perfect preparation for summer months filled with many bike excursions. For more information about Rag & Bones or about bike maintenance, you can visit their website, https://ragandbonesrva.org/, or their Facebook page, Rag & Bones Bicycle Co-Op.
