News Release: 2nd Annual Bike Mechanic Challenge Returns During Pedalpalooza
A benefit for the Community Cycling Center
June 5, 2015 – Portland, Ore. – Which bike shop will take home the trophy for having the best bicycle mechanics in the city? Find out at the 2nd annual Bike Mechanic Challenge, a benefit for the Community Cycling Center. Mechanics from around the city will compete in a series of fun events in front of a live audience. Last year’s winning team of Brian Link and Sterling Hill from Bike Gallery will return to the competition once again to test out their mechanic skills.
If you want to see Portland’s best mechanics compete for one night only, come out to Velo Cult (1969 NE 42nd Ave., Portland OR 97213) on Saturday, June 13th. The event will run from 6:30pm-10pm. The Bike Mechanic Challenge will be hosted by MCs Natalie Ramsland (Sweetpea Bicycles) and Leah Benson (Gladys Bikes).
Cheering and friendly heckling are encouraged! Invite your friends on the Facebook event page.
What is this event?
The Bike Mechanic Challenge is a friendly competition between bike shops in the city, put on by the non-profit Community Cycling Center to support their work of broadening access to bicycling and its benefits. Together, we are celebrating the many talented mechanics and bike shops in our fair city.
Who can participate?
There is space for 8 bike shops to participate in the 2015 Bike Mechanic Challenge. It is open to any bike shop in the Portland Metro area. Bike shops need to send two mechanics to participate. Current participating shops include Gladys Bikes, PSU Bike Hub, Bike Gallery, and Planet X. If your shop would like to participate, please contact the Event Coordinator, Patrick Loftus, at Patrick@communitycyclingcenter.org.
What kind of competitions?
The events were created to test quickness and efficiency, in addition to the ability of mechanics to work both individually and as a team. Some examples of the events that mechanics will compete in:
Double tire change on quick-release hub road bike. Teams will change both tires. Start with a full tire and tube on a road bike, remove the wheel, deflate the tube, remove the tire and tube from the wheel, replace and inflate to 100lbs and replace on the bike. The wheels must spin freely. If you puncture the tube, you are disqualified.
Change front and rear brake cables. Using the same road bike, one mechanic does the front, one does the back (teamwork!). Untape the handlebars, change the front and rear cables. Mechanics are finished when the cables are changed and secured to the handlebars with electrical tape. Both wheels must spin freely when the handbrake is released.
Handlebar tape change on road bike. Both mechanics will tape the bars together. The handlebar tape was removed in the previous round. Replace the tape, including the plugs. Judgment: No gaps are present and the tape is clean. There’s a surprise twist to this event!
The final event will be a surprise, and there may be tie-breaking challenge questions that are knowledge based. We can’t give it all away at once!
Cost:
The event itself will have an entry fee of $10 per person, with a discounted rate for bicycle industry workers of $5. The cost for bike shops to participate is a minimum of $50. There are varying sponsorship levels to add additional promotion for your shop. All event fees will benefit the work of the Community Cycling Center.
Beverages and food will be available to purchase at Velo Cult.
Benefits:
Each bike shop will be promoted at the event as participants and participating mechanics will receive a small hand tool from Efficient Velo Tools. The winner of the series will receive exclusive post-event publicity and prizes. Additionally, the winning bike shop will receive a trophy and a “Lefty Accidently” Right Arm Repair Clamp from EVT.
Bike Mechanic Challenge sponsors:
Efficient Velo Tools (EVT)
Cyclone Bicycle Supply
Velo Cult
Western Bike Works
Portland Design Works (PDW)
Po Campo Handbags for Bikes
About the Community Cycling Center
The Community Cycling Center is a nonprofit organization founded in 1994 that helps people access their community by bicycle. We partner with communities on neighborhood-based projects and programs. We believe that all Portlanders, regardless of their income, education, or ethnic background, should have the opportunity to choose healthy, active transportation.
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