Mount Rainier Bike Co-op Seeks Volunteers

The Mount Rainier Bike Co-op (MRBC) would very much like you to volunteer alongside others during our open shops. We have the space, the tools, and used parts in great supply, and we certainly have the clientele. With your help, we have the ability to more than double our service potential!

MBRC will also hold it's first Volunteer-Only Closed shop this Sunday, September 16th from 1-4pm. This shop will occur every 3rd Sunday, is open to anyone willing to work on donated bikes, and is intended specifically for a) preparing donated bikes to go out at suggested donation and b) creating an informal educational environment for bike mechanics. Hope to see you there!

About MRBC

Since 2005, MRBC has aimed to enable and encourage people to own, maintain, and ride bicycles safely. We reclaim, refurbish, and redistribute used bicycles that would otherwise be heading for the landfill, teach mechanics to youth and adults, and partner with local DC area organizations to promote an inclusive and responsible bicycling community. MRBC focuses its services locally, but the shop and its programs are open to all members on a donation basis.

Volunteering at MRBC

MRBC offers volunteers an opportunity to assist a diverse clientele in a relaxed, well-supplied bike shop. The willingness to learn and to teach form the core of volunteerism, and as such MRBC accepts volunteers of all mechanical skill levels, from completely inexperienced to veteran wrench. Volunteers are also granted the right to use our wholesale bike parts catalogue, and the opportunity to work on personal bikes for free.    

Regular Open Shops:

WEEKLY
Tues:7:00pm-9:00pm open to ADULTS only

Sundays: 1:00pm-4:00pm
-1st & 2nd Sundays are 18&UNDERS shops
-3rd Sundays are VOL-ONLY BUILD Shops
-4th Sundays are open to ALL
-5th Sundays are CLOSED

MONTHLY

Last SAT of each month - 10:30am- 1pm

To Volunteer

Just show up ready to help at one of our open shops! If possible, email ahead of time and let us know you are coming.

Sieze the Carp!... With Your Bike!

Thanks to Chris Doyle's new, easy-to-use work boards, tools were accessible and swiftly returned to their homes at last Sunday's shop. This was our second week in a row that featured a majority of 18&Unders. Kids helping adults fix flats! Kids lugging mom's bike down to the shop for a surprise tune-up! Truly great stuff.

A special thanks to Josh for taking a major roll in volunteer duties, and for imparting upon the younger ones some pretty excellent nutritional information.

MT !!!!IER youth! You are making it happen!

Sunday Kids Shop: Full of Kids!

A new month brought the MRBC's first majority of avid and able young folks to the Kid's Open Shop this past sunday (doors are open to adults who can work on their own and give space to 18&unders), a sight to behold and a not one wrench spared! Long-time attendees like Naya and Nandi were in good company, and might just have finished the work on their ride had the on-duty volunteer not had so many awesome questions to contend with. Hubs were re-packed, breaks were adjusted, wheels were trued to the sound Jimmy Smith's masterful Hammond B-3. 

There's another kid's shop next Sunday, and hopefully those who came out last week will grace the shop with their presence again!

Thursday Open Shop Recap

This recap coming a few days late, but better late than never...

Slower open shop this past Thursday. Michael stopped by and we replaced his bottom bracket. Laura and a friend came in and worked on the green three-speed that we've had in the back room for a long time and just recently got the tires for (it's the old English 3-speed tire sizing, ISO 590). Kevin stopped by with a bike to donate, and is thinking about coming back to build up a bike from the back room. And Dave stopped by for a bit to check in and see how things were going.

Also made progress on a blue Cignal mountain bike that should be ready for sale soon. Just have to fix a squeaky front brake.