mconlonx

I added a new class to the adult ed syllabus -- Bicycle mechanics and repair -- a follow-up course to the basic maintenance class I teach. 4 weekends, 4 hours each, basically open shop for whatever a student might like to do or learn. Build up and adjust an internet-purchased bike; tear down and rebuild an older bike; wheel building; frame prep; suspension tuning/repair -- whatever the student wants to do.

Unfortunately, zero students signed up. Maybe due to the four-saturday afternoon commitment? Who knows. Anyone, one student contacted me for further details, and I arranged for her to do the class outside of the adult ed structure, at the shop. We did a big tune on her newer road bike; next Sat, she will be bringing in her older road bike for a complete overhaul and rebuild. She asked how much it would cost, since we're doing this solo and at the shop and was pleasantly surprised when I said it was free.

Turns out, she's on the town council next town over and we got to talking about advocacy. There's a specific road which is being upgraded to include sidewalks and she is concerned that there still won't be enough room for bikes on the rather narrow back road. I mentioned Complete Streets spec to her, which she had not heard about, and said I would be happy to attend any public hearings on the matter if she would keep me informed.

Milton Keynes

What have I done? Well, last summer I was on a bike ride to a nearby town, turned down main street and saw what looked like some strange animal in the middle of the street, walking upright. I got closer to see it was a small child, probably not much older than a year & a half, wandering around in the street. I looked around, but not seeing any adult nearby, pulled over and got the child out of the street. I have a couple of young children, so I was trying to ask this child his name & where he lived but he was too young to answer me. So I called the police and stayed with the child until the officer arrived, luckily the child was carrying a cell phone with him. The officer took one look at the phone and knew who the child belonged to, was a house right across the street. The officer took the child and I went on my way.

About 20 minutes later I was riding back by in the opposite direction and the officer was just leaving. I didn't speak to him after so I don't know if he made a report or what.