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FRESNO FREE BIKE CLINIC
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FRESNO FREE BIKE CLINIC Performs basic repairs and provides cycling independence for anyone arriving at our site: Roeding Park, most Saturdays from about noon to 3 or 4 pm (call before to confirm). -----------WE NEED HELP – WITH MECHANICS AND PARTS----------- |
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Recent interview with Gene Richards, founder and
co-host of the clinic (along with Chris Eacock and Gerald Young):
"We've been hanging out near the Food Not Bombs
meal behind the tennis courts. We
usually arrive around noon and set up a table with tools and some bike
work stands behind a Chinese made peditruck full of used spare parts and
rags and lubricants and stuff like that.
After about 4 years, people know about us so we get a line of bikes
that need repairs pretty quickly. They
leave their bikes and hang out in our 'lounge' (a couple of folding
chairs) and chat or watch us or go over to eat a meal. We like to chat with our patrons. I sort of runoff at the mouth anyway, about what I'm doing
and why. It seems to help me
focus on what needs to be done or just joke or sing songs ... I'm a
big-mouth. There are
limitations to what we can do – we can't fix everything.
It's a very easy-going atmosphere and the folks are very thankful
for our help. We often spend
more time with the kids to help them learn how to work on their own bikes. Some people just borrow tools and work alongside us or ask
for advice. Sometimes we sell
new tubes or tires or other parts. (We
get parts very inexpensively from Duane Hansen at Bicycle Works, who
sometimes comes out to help also.) There are three mechanics now who come out on a
regular basis but we are always looking for more help.
Sometimes it's enough to just do flat repair or help organize the
tools and bikes. Anyway, it's
always fun so come on over and check it out. My number one reason to go out? It's fun. And
I'm basically a backyard mechanic so I learn a lot. Every Saturday I learn something new about mechanics and
bikes. My biggest problem?
I wait to tighten all the bolts and clean up loose ends until I'm
finished with each job, then forget to do it.
I'm working on it. Oh, and if you have spare parts or bikes that can be scavenged for parts, let us know." --- Recent interview with Chris Eacock: "I took over when Gene went to China to teach about two and a half years ago, and he claims I'm the boss now though he keeps the tools and peditruck at his place. But he was the founder so that makes him the boss. Anyway, I think it's important to keep people on their bikes which helps them get to jobs and gives them some measure of independence and saves the environment. I ride to work downtown most days on my recumbent and used to work in a bike shop when I was going to college. Number one reason I go out? It gets me out of the house but my wife knows where I am – someplace she doesn't want to come! My biggest problem? Can't say no when someone comes up and needs help at the last minute. Gene's working on it. We'll need someone to take Gene's place (someone who actually knows what the tools are for!) when he goes to China again so if you think this would be fun ..." Gene Richards – 497-0570 (h) gene1@cvip.net Chris Eacock – 301-5442 (c) fresnofreebikeclinic@yahoo.com |
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