Full Day Mechanics School x Winter Gathering

Sunday 2nd February - Peak District 

£100 (add on to Winter Gathering ticket)

Following the success of last year’s Mechanics School at the SITW Summer Gathering, we’re bringing another full day mechanics school to our Winter Gathering. Delivered by our team of incredible qualified female mechanics this is a great opportunity to take the next step in your mechanics and build confidence in your skills.

What can you expect?

Each of the four 80 minute classes will teach you a fundamental skill in getting to know your bike in the same way you know your own body.  Whether you’ve had a go at Mechanics before or have been put off by the fear of making things worse, our incredible team of skilled mechanics will be here to help and guide you. 

We’ve chosen 4 key areas that will give you the understanding and confidence to fix issues on the go but also to begin to service your own bike at home, if you wish. 

• Session 1 - M-check: (aka getting to know your bike in the same way you know your body)

• Session 2 - Gears: how to confidently adjust limit screws and cable tension to keep them running smoothly

• Session 3 - Brakes: banishing rubbing brakes, checking pads and replacing them

• Session 4 - Wheels: checking them, what to do if a spoke goes, basics of wheel truing and how to do it on the bike.

Our mechanics team will lead with compassion and vulnerability, and bring a calm and matriarchal approach to teaching built on two key principles:

• there are no questions that can’t be asked

• if you don’t understand something it’s our responsibility to find a way to teach you so that it becomes clear. 

There’ll be a maximum of 1 instructor to 6 students, meaning there’s plenty of support and space to get hands on.

Meet the team

We’re privileged to be bringing together this team of highly skilled mechanics from diverse backgrounds across the UK. We’re still assembling our crack team, but you’ll expect to meet some of the incredible women and non-binary

Lily from Women in Tandem

Lily co-founded and ran Women In Tandem, a Community Interest Company based in Nottingham that supports and empowers women to ride bikes. They teach bike mechanic courses from our workshop and beyond to give women the skills and confidence to ride safely, and run a bike repair service, sell affordable refurbished bikes, lead group bike rides and offer free mobile repairs in areas of Nottingham for people who can't afford to go to a bike shop.  Lily has been teaching mechanics at SITW events since our very first Summer Gathering in 2021.

Alice Williams

Professional freelance mechanic Alice offers advice and tips through @ask.alice.bike.mechanics on Instagram. As well as supporting many of our SITW trips, she can be found refurbishing bikes for refugees at The Bike Project London, and also runs her own servicing and repairs business. Alice has a soft spot for 90s mountain bikes, and will be seen out on the ride over the weekend on her own! Alice has taught at previous SITW events, on Broken Spoke’s training programme for women and leads Broadbikez DIY workshops in London.

Where/When

Sunday 2nd February

Thornbridge Outdoors ,Great Longstone, Bakewell DE45 1NY

We’ll start with an intros session at 9am, with classes running until around 5pm.  We’ll have a lunch break in the middle.  We’ll have our own workrooms for the school, within the wider Winter Gathering.

What do I need to bring?

Yourself, your bike and any tools/spares that you regularly carry on rides.  We will provide anything else you will need during the sessions.

Not included

• Winter Gathering ticket - this is just an add on.

• Food and drink

• Any spare parts you need for your bike during the class (e.g. if you need new brake pads)

Will food be available during the class?

There will be a lunch option available to buy on site,

Can I come if I don’t have my own bike?

Yes - you may get more out of the sessions if you have your own bike, but we can pair you with someone who does have a bike for the hands on parts.

Can I come if I haven’t got a ticket for the Winter Gathering?

Yes! You have the option to just join us for the mechanics day (£100). To do this, just purchase the Mechanics School Add On without the main Winter Gathering ticket.

How will classes run?

We will have a rotating classes of 90 minutes, with a bit of breathing time between each, and an hours break for lunch.

Refund Policy

Refunds available 45 days before the event. You may transfer your spot to another person up to 14 days before.