Last week I went to a Bike Revolution with Outfit Moray Basic Bike Maintenance class, and it was really good. Wayne was our tutor and he was knowledgeable, patient, kind, and made the whole evening feel very relaxed.

We learned the jargon and names for all parts of our bikes, and about the most commonly experienced problems. All the time we were able to ask questions and comment about our own cycling experiences. There was a bit of practical experience too, as we each removed rear wheels to change the tyre, after mending a puncture. This involved dealing with the chain and rear derailleur.

I was a bit worried about going because I don’t own a bicycle, but a mountain trike. Same engineering, but really an off-road wheelchair. Wayne made sure that he commented at each stage, to make each lesson applicable to me too. I have to know how to maintain my trike because if it breaks down when I’m, out and about, that’s me without legs!

Although the session was held in a working workshop, Bike Revolution made it easy for me to attend in my wheelchair, with my carer, who was able to take over for the wheel changing practical, as I have limited hand dexterity and would have had had difficulty changing the wheel by myself.

I am really grateful for this, because it is often not what I experience.

The class was well within my pocket money as it is generously funded by Smarter Choices, Smarter Places. Thank you too.

Another bike maintenance class, this time ‘Demystifying Gears’.

We didn’t expect to leave the session almost wishing for our gears to crunch or the chain to fall off, just so that we could practice our newly gained skills at tuning.  Starting with a barrel roll, a ‘righty tighty’ to ‘loosen’ the tension (you had to be there…), listening closely to pianissimo adjustments to make the chain sprocket shift.

Thanks Stewart for a  hugely useful but also very entertaining evening, filled with anecdotes and ‘don’t do this’ exhibits. The time went very fast, but we learned so much. ‘Cadence’ was the word of the day.

Excellent evening, can totally recommend Bike Revolution and Outfit Moray in Lossiemouth.

Great evening of practical advice and instruction.

Thank you to Bike Revolution for a great Bike Maintenance & Gears workshop last night. Our instructor, Wayne was spot on with all aspects of the course. He took time to find out individual needs, then gave clear demonstrations of the techniques and skills asked for. He then watched our efforts giving advice and further tips while we practiced these same techniques managing to keep a close eye on everyone so that it felt we were all getting individual attention.

By the end of the session, I felt I had really benefited from the evening and now feel much more confident in what I can do looking after my own bike.

Excellent evening, feel so much more knowledgeable about the parts of my bike and never thought I would know how to (or be able to) change an inner tube! Great tuition, thanks so much Stewart.