January 11th: Bicycle Basics – Fixing flat tires, regular bike maintenance, how to use tools;
(Using wrenches, screwdrives, etc. so you don’t injure yourself or your tools!)
January 18th: Brakes – Everything and anything to make sure you can stop!
January 25th: Ball Bearing systems – Headsets, Hubs and 3-piece bottom brackets.
February 1st: Gears – Getting your mechanical advantage just right!
February 8th: Wheels – Truing, adjusting hubs, cleaning rims, building basics.
February 15th: Advanced topics – Big tools; weird parts; compatibilities; the answer to life, theuniverse, and everything. How hammers will fix everything.

Please RSVP! Space is limited! internal.lpvr@gmail.com

2012 pin-up calenders featuring 25 of your favourite Montreal Bike Co-Op mechanics have arrived !! Available for purchase at the Flat (as well as other Co-Ops, certain bike stores, and online) for $15. Proceeds go to upstart projects like  Le Petit Vélo Rouge.

More info or to order online.

Gazette article.

Winter’s (supposedly) a-comin’! Don’t worry though, The Flat, in collaboration with Le Petit Velo Rouge is here to help you keep your bike (and yourself) on the road!

There will be a winter riding workshop this coming wednesday, where you will learn all about how to dress, how to ride, and how to keep your bike in tip-top shape during the salty season.

The important stuff:
When: Wednesday December 14th, 19:00 – 21:00
Where: The Flat Bike Collective, 3480 Rue McTavish, Room B02
For: Everyone!
Cost: PWYC ($5 suggested donation to LPVR)
Who: Le Petit Velo Rouge, Cam from CycleBird couriers will also be present to recount his experiences riding 8 hours a day through the winter!
RSVP: internal.lpvr@gmail.com (or just show up)

More info:

As part of our winter mechanics workshop series, Le Petit Velo Rouge and The Flat are holding a Winter Riding workshop on December 14th, 7-9pm.

Check out our winter riding zine (http://faridrener.files.wordpress.com/2011/09/winter-riding-zine-v2-1.pdf), ahead of time to know what we will be talking about!

Please RSVP as space is limited: internal.lpvr@gmail.com

Why ride in the winter?
Riding in the winter is fun! We see it as the most practical winter sport – once you get used to how your bike handles in the diff erent types of snow, you will find it is the only comfortable way to get around.

Surprisingly, riding in winter tends to be warmer than walking or taking public transport. Since you are moving your body so much, you end up generating your own heat. Standing around waiting for the bus is a sure-fi re way of getting cold and miserable, and stepping off the over-heated metro with your full winter-penguinoutfi t is a great way for your sweat to keep you nice and frosty. On your bike, you take advantage of the crisp air that the winter provides – lungfulls of that will easily lift you out of those winter blues.

The best part of riding in the winter is the way it peaks all of your senses. Riding at night, right after a powdery snowfall when all the cars are safely tucked away in their garages, there is an intense silence. Th e only thing you hear is the snow getting crushed under your tires, a noise you will come to crave during the muggy summer. This noise vibrates through your whole body, and even though you are almost fl oating over the road, you feel completely connected to it. You will start learning the diff erent types of snow and ice, and the way they change how your bike feels under you. You will realize how diff erent cars smell in the winter – their engines straining against the cold (but you only get stronger as the winter gets colder!). You will taste the salt, that awful stuff that will destroy your humble steed if you aren’t careful…

http://lepetitvelorouge.wordpress.com/2011/12/01/winter-riding-workshop/

dites-nous ici!

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which workshops would you like to see at the Flat this autumn and winter? What would you like to learn about?

let us know by leaving a comment!

passez une bonne fin de semaine de recolte!

happy harvest weekend!

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lundi, mardi, jeudi 17h-19h30

They happen Wednesdays at 5:30 in the Flat.

Our next one is September 7th.

pas d’experience necessaire!

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If you would like to volunteer at the Flat, send us an e-mail at theflat.bikecollective@gmail.com.

No experience necessary, just a will to learn!