A free bicycle repair event will take place at the Clover Building on the Crook County Fairgrounds.
This past holiday season Bicycle Re-source of Bend reconditioned and donated over 50 bikes and helmets to the Crook County Holiday Partnership that distributed them to area children for Christmas.
“They have made it their mission to help some of the more rural outlying areas,” said Brenda Comini, director of Crook County Human Services. “We have had a wonderful partnership with them and we want to not only bring bikes to the community, but get kids out on them and teach them how to keep their bikes usable.”
To that end, the Bend-based nonprofit, along with Prineville’s Good Bike Shop’s owner James Good, will hold a free bicycle repair clinic on Sunday.
Jeff Schuler, founder of Bicycle Re-source, said that he and Comini provided information about the clinic to all of those receiving a bike from the partnership.
“Brenda and I thought that this year we would give them a follow-up to maintain their bikes,” said Schuler. “We are on our fourth year with the partnership and each year we try to think of a way to expand on the educational aspect of biking.”
This will be Good’s first year working with Schuler, someone he says comes out from Bend to do a lot of good things for the Prineville community.
Good explained that there will be up to five bike stations offering everything from flat tire repair, to brake service and derailleur adjustments, to safety checks.”
“I am excited to be a part of it this as it will connect me with cyclists in Central Oregon,” said Good. “The clinic is also a great way to offer residents some quality bike repair.”
Good added that in addition to repairs, the clinic will offer advice on proper bike etiquette and safe riding tips.
Comini sees the clinic as a natural extension of what both businesses are trying to bring to Prineville.
“Schuler’s partnership with Good is all about promoting biking in the area and the safe and proper use of bikes,” she said. “It is a healthy family activity that we are all trying to encourage.”
Good says that in the near future there will be a number of opportunities for bicycle users to enjoy the outdoors on their new two-wheelers.
“The new COTA bike park will be coming on-line this summer and the Lower 66 mountain bike trails should be complete,” he said.
Good has also been asked to be a presenter at the Oregon Governor's Conference on Tourism in Eugene this April.
“I will be participating in a discussion with the Agritourism Working Group,” said Good. “I will be talking about my connection with the High Desert Farm and Food Alliance and our plans to offer one-day bicycle farm tours.”
Good is also involved with planning an August off-road event that will offer rides of 125, 45, and 10 miles that will highlight biking in the Ochocos.
Schuler said that he is happy to see Good in Prineville, offering local cyclists a solid bike shop resource.
“When we leave, James will be there,” said Schuler. “We will try to help him in any way we can.”
Schuler added that he expects a good crowd for Sunday’s clinic.
“We expect that this clinic will be our biggest,” he said. “We know there is a need and the good weather helps. We want to get people out riding their bikes.
The free bicycle repair clinic will take place on Sunday, Feb. 22, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the Clover Building at the Crook County Fairgrounds.
There will be a drawing for bike helmets and two refurbished BMX bikes.
For information about the clinic, call Jeff Schuler at 541-410-9620.
