Bike Coop 101

Since I forgot to post so far, this will kinda be a wrap up from what I've done so far...

To date, I've sorted tires (I now know the difference between mountain bike tires, racing tires, and city bike tires by number - not just by appearance), evaluated whether or not to scrap tires, despoked wheels, moved large, heavy objects, sat through a class on bicycle wheel design, adjusted the rear derailleur on my brother's bike, and sorted a list of partner organizations invited to the Coop's grand opening on May 29.

Special thanks are owed to Stuart, the Coop's general mechanic, who fixes nearly everything at the shop (bicycles or not). He taught me how to fix a rear derailleur the second time around trying to fix it myself: first by checking the hub & ensuring that the hub is tightly in place, then truing the wheel, and finally adjusting the limit screws & barrel adjuster. It's a tough job, but with time & patience I'll be better of the next time I have to adjust a bicycle derailluer.

In addition, I've spent a lot of time doing odd jobs (sorting parts, fixing up the retail space, and moving around materials). It's nice to get a sense of accomplishment from doing a relatively simple, down-to-earth task. While the work isn't glorious, it's gratifying to get a hard job done.

Along the way, I've met a lot of nice but different people. One of the perks at the coop is it's diversity: people come in from all walks of life - buying and volunteering. For me, that exposure has opened up my mind to a broader sense of community, and a more embracive outlook on life. It's taught me that no matter what predicament I'm in, there's always a reason for me to view things in a positive light. Even more so, I've simply just enjoyed having the exposure to people I wouldn't normally meet - or might never have otherwise met - had I not worked at the Coop.

Working with Jim, the director of OCBC (Ohio City Bicycle Coop), as a sp intern has been awesome. He's positive, enthusiastic, and forgiving. He's also the most knowledgeable on bicycle repairs and anything in-between. And to his credit, the Coop has been successful for many years. While the coop will eventually come to have a new director, there's no doubt that Jim has made the place it is today - filled with interesting & unusual people, yet full of energy.

I'm excited to see how my project unfolds, what I learn, the people I meet, and the new techniques I learn. Hope Everyone's Senior Project is going well!