Mountainadoras Maintenance Clinic
August 15, 2021 - Words by Tyson Blades, photos by Nate Cannon
When the first images of the Mountainadoras’ group ride came in, we were stoked. Seeing happy riders jumping over rocks, kicking up dust, and flying down the trails at Elings Park always makes us smile. We know that buying a bicycle and riding it on the trail regularly requires commitment and a certain comfort level. It is much more difficult if you are in an underrepresented group, of which cycling has many. We have seen many riders buy expensive bikes, take them out for one or two rides and then suddenly stop riding. With that in mind, we hosted a maintenance clinic last week for the Mountainadoras, a group dedicated to helping women to get excited about the sport.
The clinic’s purpose was two-fold: First, to give beginners the attention they need to feel comfortable with their bikes. Cycling is a journey that only begins after the bike purchase is made. A new rider will enjoy the sport more if they know there is a place that they can rely on to help them grow as a cyclist. The other reason is to foster inclusion and empathy, sorely needed in the cycling industry.
On a sunny Sunday afternoon, Samantha Levy, founder and organizer of the Mountainadoras, brought 10 women, mostly beginners, to the shop to learn basic bike and trail maintenance. Leading the clinic was Bree Duffy, our inventory manager and experienced mountain and gravel biker.
The clinic was split into three parts, the first being basic bike anatomy. Bree led the group through the different parts of the bike. Learning the various parts’ nomenclature leads to a more accessible understanding of the inevitable problems that come with owning a bike. This is something that every rider should realize: explaining what’s happening gives a shop mechanic a head start on fixing the problem. Experienced riders still come in and say, “My bike is making this weird noise.” That happens all the time. Now that Bree has armed the Mountainadoras with her awesome teachings, they can confidently say, “I think the noise is coming from my bottom bracket, or [insert part name here].”
Bree then covered maintenance points that are most likely to come up throughout mountain bike ownership. For example, knowing when and how to replace brake pads, recharge a tubeless tire, install a new chain, and the basics of derailleur adjustment. Knowing the names of the parts is great. Understanding how they work is a whole different box of frogs. If a beginner ever goes to a shop that treats them poorly based on who they are, a little knowledge in this area will help ensure they take their problems seriously.
Once people get on the trail, they usually don’t think about what can go wrong with the bike. They’re having too much fun. However, nature is variegated and filled with huge rocks, jutting roots, and squirrels that may or may not be holding a grudge. A broken bike is bound to ruin the ride. Getting home safe and happy is tantamount. The Mountainadoras learned critical trail-side skills, such as installing and inflating a tube, repairing a broken chain, and tightening loosened parts, all with portable bike tools. Much to the chagrin of the squirrels, they are now equipped with the know-how to keep riding.
After some tacos and beer were consumed, it was the Mountainadoras’ turn to grab a wrench. Under the guidance of the shop’s mechanics, they diagnosed and fixed some of the problems on their own bikes. Not every rider gets the chance to really get their bike in a stand and tackle a repair. How many of you reading right now have been able to get one-on-one instruction all while having a great time with like-minded people?
The need to foster change in cycling culture is more important than ever. The industry struggles with diversity and inclusivity so much so that beginners, TFW, and BIPOC riders need shops that make them feel welcome. It should then come as no surprise when those underrepresented cyclists form their own groups. It’s not about isolation. It’s about feeling welcome. If you run a shop and have a group in your town looking for help or sponsorship, please reach out to them. It can only make things better.
To learn more about the Mountainadoras, e-mail them at sbmountainadoras@gmail.com., or DM them on Instagram @sbmountainadoras.