Get your bike ship-shape

The City of Mount Gambier has joined forces with Bike SA to host two free bike maintenance courses on Saturday, February 3.

City of Mount Gambier environmental sustainability officer Aaron Izzard (pictured) said the three hour courses would provide residents with basic and intermediate knowledge on how to fix a flat tyre and other minor bicycle faults.

“Summer is a great time to get on the bike and explore our wonderful city and surrounding region,” Mr Izzard said. “As people dust off their bike they may need to do some maintenance.”

The courses will be held in the multi-function room at the Mount Gambier Library with the basic bike care course commencing at 10am and the intermediate bike maintenance course from 1pm.

The basic course is designed to provide a thorough introduction to maintaining a bike and is planned specifically for those just starting out.

“It aims to provide a better understanding of the working parts of the bike, offering the additional knowledge needed to get out onto the road or trail with extra confidence,” Mr Izzard said. “During the course participants will learn how to clean and lubricate the major mechanical working groups of a bike and get the inside story on puncture repair.”

The ‘Intermediate Bike Maintenance #1 – Gears and Brakes’ session is for riders who feel comfortable with the basics of bike care but would like to learn more about servicing their bike and become more independent.

“During the intermediate course participants will learn and practice the skills required to confidently repair, replace and adjust brakes and gears with a chance to ask those questions a bike mechanic never has the time to answer,” Mr Izzard said.

“The course aims to enable riders to feel confident in making adjustments while on the trail or to perform the all-important pre-trip tune up to ensure a perfect ride every time.”

Bookings are essential as places are strictly limited to 10 people per course.

Participants will receive a free tyre repair kit on the day.

To register, email your name and phone number with which course you would like to attend to Aaron at [email protected] or call (08)8721 2528.

For further information about the courses visit the Bike SA website at https://bikesa.asn.au/bike-maintenance-courses