On a very snowy Thursday last week, Charlie and I headed off to Milton Keynes to undertake a Cytech Home Mechanics Course run by Peter Cowling (PJCS). As we wrapped up against the elements and boarded the Surlys, little did we know how much we had to learn…
We researched various maintenance courses, but when we stumbled upon Cytech we knew this was the course for us: comprehensive, tailored and bringing real, in depth knowledge. After contacting Cytech it became even clearer that we had made the right choice; they were always quick to respond and went above and beyond to accommodate our specific training needs, namely a one day top to bottom course on building, maintaining and fixing our Surlys with all the provisions you might find the side of a dusty African road.
We arrived at the PJCS Workshop and, after battling the Beast from the East, were incredibly appreciative for the warm and coffee laden welcome by our trainer for the day – Peter Cowling.
What happened next summed up our experience on the course:
Peter: Great looking bikes, did they come fully built or was there any part of it you guys did yourselves?
Charlie: We put bits of it together – the seat, front wheel, rack and mud guard.
Peter: Ah, looks great. Just one question, is there a particular reason that your front mud guard is on backwards?
Without judgement or laughing (where both were well deserved) Peter proceeded to explain that the mud guard is to guard from mud and, as could be seen from the splashes up our legs and bike, a back-to-front guard is as useful as a chocolate teapot.
The rest of the day proceeded in the same manner: the gaping void that was our bike knowledge was carefully and effectively filled with practical understanding, direct experience and invaluable insight into the mechanics of our Surlys. Every element of the training came with an explanation, demonstration and hands-on exercise ensuring that we understood the importance of each component, as well as a clear plan as to what to do if the part happens to blow.
In just one day, we went from barely being able to fix a flat, on a bike with topsy-turvy mud-guards, to being able to locate, identify and fix pretty much every aspect of our bikes with just the use of a multi-tool. The experience was invaluable, and you can be sure we will be thanking our lucky stars for that snowy day in Milton Keynes when we find ourselves under the Africa sun with a busted bike and the know-how to get us peddling again.
Best Bit: Gaining much needed bike confidence
Worst Bit: Realising we had looked like right wallies for the past few weeks of riding with back-to-front mud-guards
https://www.cytech.training/
https://pjcs.cytech.training/
