The Spring 2009 semester of Informal Classes at the University of Texas has begun, and there are several bicycle related classes being offered. These include Bicycle Repair, Bicycle Commuting 101, Road Biking 101, and Mountain Bike I. Here’s a brief summary of each class. Those interested in attending can register through the Informal Classes website.
Bicycle Repair (Editor note- I took this class several years ago and highly recommend it. It gave me great confidence in doing work on my bike and now I do pretty much all my own wrenching.)
Meeting dates: Each Saturday from February 14 to March 7, 1 to 3pm
Price: Resident $38.00, Non-resident $44.00
Learn to deal with your wheels! Save time and money on repairs and enjoy riding a properly functioning bike. This hands-on class provides you with basic skills and knowledge for proper bike fit, repairs such as tire and tubes, gear adjustments, bearings, and wheel truing. Both road and mountain bikers are welcome. Recommended: basic mechanical skills, and the desire to learn to fix your bike! This is a hands-on class. Wear clothing that you do not mind getting greasy. Bring your bike, $5 for repair booklet, a 6′ x 6′ drop cloth or sheet, hand cleaner, and rags to class. Brandon Young has cared for his own bikes and worked in bike shops caring for others’ for years. His love and knowledge of the bike is deep.
Bicycle Commuting 101
Meeting dates: Each Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from Tuesday, March 24 to Saturday, April 4 except for the following dates: Tue, March 31, 2009 & Thu, April 2, 2009. 6:30 to 8:30pm on Tuesdays & Thursdays, 9 to 11am on Saturdays.
Price: Resident $62.00, Non-resident $72.00
Biking to work is a simple way to escape traffic, high gas prices, and concerns about your environmental impact. In this class, you will learn basic bike maintenance and gear, the principles of traffic laws and Texas-specific cycling laws, how to safely ride in traffic, route planning, and navigating the streets of Austin! Class will be a combination of in-class discussion and on-location street riding. Bike commuting is easy and fun, and your body, soul and wallet will thank you! Bring your bike, helmet, bottled water and $7 to class for City of Austin bicycle maps and handouts. Wear comfortable clothing for cycling. Kristen Hotopp has worked at a local bike shop, been a member of several cycling groups, and commuted in Austin for most of her life.
Road Bike 101
Meeting dates: Sessions scheduled with teacher, First session of semester Monday-Saturday from Monday, February 9 to Saturday, March 14 and second session Monday-Saturday from Monday, April 13 to Saturday, May 16
Price: Resident, $320.00, Non-resident: $360.00
Learn how to ride a road bike and get the most out of it. You will start with a professional bike fit that takes into account your physique, cycling goals, and limitations to develop a comfortable and ergonomic bike position. Learn how to use clipless pedals indoors to achieve a functional pedal stroke, and to safely start the bike and come to a stop. You will experience riding on the Veloway and then on progressively more challenging popular Austin roads. You will be able to take advantage of indoor cycling classes to maximize your learning experience. A quality 20 speed road bike, helmet and cycling shoes are available for use during the class. You will receive five 1.5 hour lessons and an additional 5 hours of group instruction. The lessons may be scheduled by appointment Monday through Saturday in the morning or evening.
Mountain Bike I
Meeting Dates: Wednesday, March 25, 6 to 7pm and Saturdays from March 28 to May 2, 9:30 to 11:30am. (No class on Saturday, April 11)
Price: Resident $62.00, Non-resident $72.00
Get outside, get in shape, and have the most fun you’ve had since you became a grown-up. You’ll learn the basic techniques of cycling safely and efficiently on off-road terrain including climbing, downhilling, braking, cornering, navigating over obstacles, and more. We’ll also touch on backcountry bicycle repair, trail ethics, equipment, and training. This course combines short classroom sessions with trailside discussions, but mostly we’ll RIDE. Beginners strongly encouraged. Bring $1 for handouts to the Wednesday class and your mountain bike, bicycle lock, and helmet to Saturday classes. Bicycle helmet mandatory. Debbie Main has been mountain biking since 1992, amateur mountain biking since 1997 and began teaching mountain biking in 1995.
Visit the UT Informal Classes website.
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on Nov 23rd, 2009 at 7:03 pm
I’m interested in taking an in-depth basic bicycle maintance course. Will you offer one early next year? Are there any other locations in the Austin-San Anton area that offers such a course? (I live in San Anton) Thanks.
on Nov 23rd, 2009 at 11:01 pm
Looks like the fall bike maintenance class from UT is already done for the fall. There will be a winter term starting January. I’d check their site mid December for class info. You might also look at the classes Bicycle Sport Shop is now offering. They have regular basic maintenance classes and have added a wheel building class.