The Friendly Bike Mechanic

10/10/2026

Good ideas are worth stealing.
I’ve been looking at how the in Québec, the Fédération Française de Cyclisme and USA Cycling engage riders, volunteers, clubs and sponsors — and what others could learn from them.

From youth pathways and recognition to funding, culture and communication, there are plenty of ideas worth adapting.



https://www.friendlybikemechanic.co.uk/post/good-ideas-are-worth-stealing-what-cycling-can-learn-from-qu%C3%A9bec--and-elsewhere

Fédération Française de Cyclisme (FFC) USA Cycling FQSC - Fédération québécoise des sports cyclistes

A lot of my early success in education came from one fairly simple habit: I was good at spotting a good idea and working out how I could use it myself.When I worked for the education authority, my job exposed me to an enormous amount of classroom practice — some excellent, some less so. I was ther...

22/09/2026

🚴 **One for young riders and racers in North Wales**

There are still places available for tonight’s Venedoti Velo Junior/U23 session at Marsh Tracks, Rhyl.

The sessions are aimed at riders aged 10+ through to U23 and focus on developing things like race craft, bike handling, skills and overall rider development.

It looks like a really good opportunity for young riders who want to improve their racing, whether they’re relatively new to it or already competing regularly in cyclocross, road, circuit racing or MTB.

Tonight’s session runs 6:30–7:45pm, and at £4.75–£5.75 it’s also incredibly accessible.

We’re lucky to have opportunities like this locally, so if you know a young rider who might benefit, have a look and get them signed up 👇

https://www.heraproject.co.uk/event-details/venedoti-velo-junior-u23-session-19

The Hera Project

These sessions are open to all riders aged 10+ to U23. They are performance-focused sessions, built around race craft, skills, and development, but cater for a broad range of experience from novice to experienced racer.

18/09/2026

Cleans rotors and pads easily!
SwissStop Official

29/08/2026

Hello everyone 👋

Sorry for being a little quieter than usual recently and for any delays replying to messages or getting bikes booked in.

My personal circumstances have changed a bit, and I’ve now started working in a residential care home supporting young people — which is brilliant and something I’m really enjoying. Starting the role has also involved quite a lot of training, alongside getting used to shift work and finding a new routine, so The Friendly Bike Mechanic has had to take a bit of a back seat while everything settled down.

Things are starting to normalise now, though, and I’ll be taking bookings again from the second week of September. 🚲🔧

Thank you so much for your patience, for understanding, and especially for continuing to call on me to look after your bikes.

One of the things I love about doing this is that, by supporting The Friendly Bike Mechanic , you’re also helping me continue the work I do supporting young racers and the local cycling community. So every service, repair and bit of work genuinely helps keep that going too.

Thanks again — and I’m looking forward to getting back to fixing bikes! ❤️🚲

27/08/2026

16/08/2026

I do amuse myself but I also like giving away free stuff thanks to !

22/06/2026

"No... I don't think that it makes your frame that much lighter..."

11/06/2026

Gorgeous and super light chainring from Praxis Works for a racer. 🥰🤩

We use a lot of Praxis cranks, BB and others. Contact us for info!

03/06/2026

How are your cleats?
Make sure you have a quick look before getting too deep in the riding season!

31/05/2026

Great session THIS MONDAY open to women and girls (10+) by The Hera Project!

Hera Development
These sessions provide a performance-focused environment for those who want to improve fitness, develop racing skills, or compete.

https://www.heraproject.co.uk/event-details/hera-skills-development-sessions-5?fbclid=IwY2xjawSJPPVleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFrOWwxa1JXdGNPbDZ4eFJSc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHtVCaO-usG4zGdhPsJEBqkV6SY5DRVj-N8EqjZUhTZglbtI7I2NgTPY54Hu__aem_1lFOAhJp5c4AHJhCbhEr0w

Both sessions are open to women and girls (10+) whether you are looking for social riding or a more focused training opportunity.