High School Bicycle Education Program finds space in pandemic cracks – While many businesses & industries struggle with the global pandemic, Project Bike Tech is seeking to expand its high school programs around the USA, from 18 active classrooms in seven states now, to 30 in 10 states within the next two years. Expanding on career-building skills, students can walk away with both career tech & industry entry-level bicycle mechanic/assembler certifications, opening opportunities in a growing workforce.
Project Bike Tech in School is the first high school bicycle education program in the country, a credited high-school elective course using bike repair as a way to teach Common CORE and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math) topics to students.
“The outdoor recreation industry is one of the fastest growing industries in the United States and remains relatively unaffected by the coronavirus pandemic. We’ve established several Project Bike Tech chapters across the country and see it as an economical way for schools to provide Career Technical Education to students in a meaningful and impactful way,” says Mercedes Ross, Project Bike Tech Executive Director. “The enthusiasm and support we have received from educators, employers, and the local business community, as well as the U.S. Department of Labor, assures us this program is making a positive long-term impact on the economy for generations to come.”
Project Bike Tech in School provides over 200 hours of intensive classroom instruction, bringing together local educators, industry employers & local bike shop sponsors. How can you help open the program to more prospective students? Get in touch with contacts of specific schools in your area that could benefit from Project Bike Tech, or just donate directly to support the initiative. ProjectBikeTech.org
Contests & Industry News
- Ride the shortest day of winter with Restrap Solstice Century & win! – I rode the summer solstice and 257 kilometers with UK bag maker Apidura’s Parallels 24 project. Can I repeat the feat with at least 100 miles on the shortest day of the year? Why not! 8 hours of daylight (I’ll feel like I’m cheating with 8 hours, 3.5 minutes in the Czech Republic), 100mi, and a real free patch to not forget. Over the winter solstice weekend on Dec 19 & 20, the plan is to make the most of dwindling daylight and ride a true century over the short, dark weekend (no metric BS, like we usually do). Everyone who complete the challenge in the 48hrs will receive an exclusive Solstice Century Patch for their efforts, and even have a shot at winning some Exposure Lights customized with a laser-etched Restrap logo, plus a Race Musette. Join in at: Strava.com
- Win a limited edition CeramicSpeed OSPW upgrade – To celebrate that five CeramicSpeed sponsored riders finished in top 10 at the UCI Cycling Esports World Championships this week, they are giving away 4 of these very colorful, ultra limited edition Canyon eSports team OSPW Systems. There are two ways to win – either by signing up for the newsletter here, where 2 or 4 winners will be drawn on Dec 14. Or sign up to their CeramicSpeed Strava Club here, where the other pair of winners will be randomly picked on Monday. CeramicSpeed.com
- Honza Špika becomes a Meta Miner – Just a few weeks ago, a friend of ours in the Czech Republic, photographer Lukas Neasi (one of our amateur enduro women’s technique coach, actually) worked with Bikes On Film on a killer, unique riding video for Commencal of rider Honza Špika shredding it up in a operational open pit strip mine not far from our EU HQ, up in the Krkonoše mountains. It’s super short, but besides the back flips & gap jumps, pretty much exactly how our trail riding feels these days.
New Gear & Deals
- Save 20% off RedShift’s comfy all-road & gravel cockpits – Redshift is having a Holiday sale for a limited time, and you can knock 1/5th of the price of any of their components in stock, from their ShockStop suspension stem to its partner ShockStop suspension seatpost, or the Kitchen Sink. Plus, all the smaller bits too, and free shipping over $79 in the US, EU & UK.
Training
- 8bar Crit goes virtual on RGT – Preempting the 2021 season, 8bar is taking their Crit race series into cyberspace. There will be five races during the off season. The first race starts already next week on Dec 18. Register now to RGT Cycling and participate in the race on your smart trainer at home. Be a part in the furious race around the virtual 8bar crit course and compete with 8bar riders around the world – free to join & race into shape this winter! 8bar-bikes.com
- Race Rouvy’s Holiday series & unlock the Christmas jersey – Join the winter racing on Rouvy with their Holiday Race Series. Unlock the Christmas Jersey racing virtually with classic trainers across all time zones. Just register and complete at least 1 fun race to get the special jersey. Athletes with all kinds of setups are welcome to take part and advance in the Career ladder. Check out the schedule, then burn off some cookies. Rouvy.com
