#RocklandME - #CriticalMass event!

#FirstFriday #BikeParty
July 4 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

"Join us for a critical mass that occurs during the First Friday event in downtown Rockland. We will leave from Chapman Park, 294 Maine St, Rockland ME at 7pm for a short ride. We will stop at different parks and make our way through Rockland’s historic downtown. Bring lights, drinks, and music. All are welcome!"

FMI - https://www.bikemaine.org/event/first-friday-bike-party/2025-07-04/

#SolarPunkSunday
#Maine #MaineBikeEvents #MaineBicycleCoalition
#BuildingCommunity #BikeTooter

#PortlandME - East Bayside Trail Fest

June 22 @ 9:00 am – 1:00 pm

"On Sunday, June 22nd, support #PortlandTrails and the Bicycle Coalition of Maine at this first annual, one-of-a-kind event in the heart of the East Bayside neighborhood. A collaboration between nonprofit organizations and local businesses, the East Bayside Trail Fest consists of three events:

- Trail to Ale 10K – that’s right, this beloved race is BACK!
- Bayside Ride – a scenic 15- or 30-mile non-competitive group ride
- Trail Mix 2-Miler – a fun run and walk ideal for families, new trail users, and beginner runners

The events will be staggered throughout the morning and will culminate in a #BlockParty on Diamond Street featuring music, food trucks, local beer, cider, and spirits, and more!"

https://www.bikemaine.org/event/east-bayside-trail-fest/

From Zero to Hero! Discover how one builder transformed into a Fortnite mastermind in LEGO Fortnite Odyssey! Read the hilarious brick-tastic journey: https://bricksandbuilds.charleshartmann.com/from-zero-to-hero-in-lego-fortnite-odyssey-a-hilariously-brick-tastic-journey/ #LEGOFortnite #Gaming #BuildingCommunity

#Riverhead #RepairCafe

Saturday, September 13, 2025
1:00 PM 4:00 PM

"From 1 to 4 pm on September 13th, North Forkers can bring broken items for repair. Volunteer repair coaches help fix household goods, bikes, toys, clothes, jewelry etc. at the Repair Café hosted by North Fork Environmental Council in collaboration with Greenport’s Floyd Memorial Library.

"What do you do with a broken toaster? Or when your bike’s wheel is out of kilter? Or after moths attacked your favorite sweater? Toss it? No! Making repairs is smarter:

● It saves money otherwise spent on new things.

● It keeps waste out of our environment.

● It increases independence through learning useful skills.

● Plus, it’s fun and a chance to meet new friends.

"How does it work? People visiting the Repair Café bring broken items from home: dull knives or lamps gone dark, broken tableware or teddy bears, cardigans or coffee makers , bikes – anything that is broken (and portable) is welcome. Local volunteer repair coaches share their know-how and do repairs, while the owners observe, help, and learn new skills. The service is free of charge.

"Why is this important? By promoting repairs, NFEC wants to help reduce waste. 'We throw away piles of stuff in the United States. But where is ‘away’? There is no Away', says Repair Cafe organizer Margaret de Cruz. 'Waste ends up in the oceans, or buried in our land.' The average landfill in the U.S. is 600 acres. With over 3000 active landfills in the US, that means almost two million acres can not be used for habitat. But worse than that, they all leach toxins, poisoning our water, air and our bodies. One of the solutions is to produce less waste in the first place. 'Unfortunately, many people have forgotten that they can have things repaired. Repair Café wants to change that.'

"What’s in it for the community? Repairing saves money and resources, reduces consumption and can help minimize CO2 emissions. 'But above all, Repair Cafés demonstrate how much fun repairing things can be, how easy it often is, and the results add credence to the Right to Repair movement,' says de Cruz. Among the 67 items Repair Café volunteers fixed at last year’s event, there was an elephant statue, a remote toy truck, an Irish sweater, a waffle iron, garden shears, a fan and quite a few pieces of jewelry.

“Jointly making repairs can lead to pleasant contacts in the neighborhood”, says de Cruz. 'If you repair a bike, a vase or a pair of trousers together with a previously unfamiliar neighbor, you look at that person differently the next time you run into them on the street.'

FMI: NFEC1.org – or for the International Repair Café movement, go to repaircafe.org/en

#CriticalMass - List of Rides around the World! (Many of them are the last Friday of the month, but not all of them.)

"The following is a partial list of Critical Mass bicycle rides around the world. Some rides may no longer exist and most certainly not every ride is listed here.

"Unless otherwise stated, rides are held on the last Friday of every month at 5.30pm."

https://criticalmass.fandom.com/wiki/List_of_rides

#SolarPunkSunday #WeAreTraffic
#BicycleSafety #BuildingCommunity #Bikes #BikeTooters #OwnTheRoad

#BicycleCoalitionOfMaine Where to Ride in #Maine! Includes interactive routes maps!

"Are you looking for inspiration on where to ride? Maine has something to offer everyone: winding, remote country lanes, picturesque coastal routes, quiet rail trails, and miles of mountainous terrain. We’ve curated hundreds of routes, from easy and short to advanced, on and off-road, with points of interest including bike service locations, food stops, scenic views, parks, and more. The routes can sync to your smartphone or GPS device to give you reliable turn-by-turn directions.

"Whether you are a Maine resident or you are coming to ride from out of state, we all have a responsibility to Look Out for ME. Let’s work together to treat Maine’s abundant #NaturalResources with respect.

"Looking for past BikeMaine routes?

"Want the routes from the #WomenFemmes&Thems Ride Summer Series?

"Only interested in unpaved routes? You can find our 'Gravel Grinds'."

https://www.bikemaine.org/where-to-ride/

#SolarPunkSunday #BicycleSafety
#BuildingCommunity #BikeRoutes #Bikes #BikeTooters

#BicycleCoalitionOfMaine - #CascoME Bike Rodeo!

May 3 @ 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm

"FREE COMMUNITY EVENT DESIGNED TO TEACH AND ENCOURAGE KIDS TO RIDE BIKES SAFELY! There will be helmet giveaways, prizes, and snacks!"

Crooked River Elementary School
1437 Poland Spring Rd
Casco, Maine 04015
United States

https://www.bikemaine.org/event/bike-rodeo-casco/

#BicycleCoalitionOfMaine - #DoverFoxcroftME Bike Rodeo!

May 3 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

"Bring your kids and their bikes/helmets to this FREE bicycle safety event! Designed to teach and encourage kids to ride bikes safely on the road. The rodeo will include a helmet check, a bike mechanical check, and time to ride in a closed continuous-flow traffic skills course that teaches the rules of the road. Practice safe riding skills and have fun!"

https://www.bikemaine.org/event/bcm-bike-rodeo-dover-foxcroft/

#SolarPunkSunday
#BicycleSafety #BuildingCommunity #Bikes #BikeTooters

#ScarboroughME - Bike Barn Bonanza

May 3 @ 9:00 am – 12:00 pm

"What: A “Bike Barn Bonanza” – a used bike sale.

Where: Ketcha Outdoors Barn, Spurwink Rd, Scarborough.

When: May 3rd, 2025, from 9 AM to 12 PM.

Who: Organized by Portland Gear Hub and Ketcha Outdoors.

Purpose: To find great deals on quality used bikes for all ages while supporting outdoor adventure and bike education programs. What to expect: Hybrid, road, mountain, kids, and tandem bikes for sale, as well as helmets and blinky lights. Location: The event will be held at the Ketcha Outdoors barn in Scarborough. More Info: You can learn more about Portland Gear Hub at portlandgearhub.org."

https://www.bikemaine.org/event/bike-barn-bonanza/

#BicycleCoalitionOfMaine - Fix-A-Bike - #BangorME

April 29 @ 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm

"Be your own mechanic! The Bicycle Coalition of Maine will provide the tools and instruction for this workshop. Learn how to maintain your bike, fix a flat, pump up a tire, change a chain or cable, make shifting adjustments, and more in a hands-on learning experience. This 2-hour-long workshop will take place outdoors. If the weather is inclement, it will take place in the Atrium.

"Bring your own bike, helmet, and any tools you have you’d like to practice using.

"Registration required."

https://www.bikemaine.org/event/bcm-fix-a-bike-bangor-3/

#ReuseRepair #SolarPunkSunday
#BicycleRepair #BicycleMaintenance #BuildingCommunity #Bikes #BikeTooters #BikeRepair
#RightToRepair #ReuseRepairRecycle #BangorPublicLibrary

#CharlottesvilleVA - #RepairCafé coming up at #ScrappyElephant

Apr 18, 2025

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (CBS19 NEWS) -- "People with a broken piece of jewelry or some clothing that needs to be fixed might be able to get it done for free at an upcoming event.

"The Cville TimeBank will be holding a Repair Café at the Scrappy Elephant on Allied Street on April 26.

"Attendees can bring up to three items in need of repair.

"Volunteers will be on hand to fix items. Repairs will be limited to 25 minutes if there are others waiting for assistance.

"However, organizers say there will be no jewelry soldering or extensive bead restringing at this event.

"This event is free to attend and open to the community. For more information, click on the link below:

https://ctbrepaircafe.wordpress.com/

Source:
https://www.cbs19news.com/news/repair-caf-coming-up-at-scrappy-elephant/article_942777e1-afae-4c5a-bfea-8b8e6062d283.html

#WestbrookME - #BicycleCoalitionOfMaine #MountainBike Maintenance Class

April 24 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

"Want to upgrade your bike or find out how to perform regular servicing on your rig? This is the class for you! Learn the tips and tricks to keeping your bike in top riding shape all year round with our intermediate maintenance class specifically geared towards maintaining hardtail and full-suspension mountain bikes. This program is made possible in partnership with Mast Landing Brewing Company, Gorham Parks and GPNemba. Register at the link below."

Free for BCM Members. $45 for non-members.

Mast Landing Brewing Company – Westbrook
920 Main St
Westbrook, Maine 04092 United States

https://www.bikemaine.org/event/bcm-mountain-bike-maintenance-class-2/

#ReuseRepair #SolarPunkSunday
#BicycleRepair #BicycleMaintenance #BuildingCommunity
#RightToRepair #ReuseRepairRecycle

#BathME - May 3 @ 10:00 am – 12:30 pm

"Come to the #RepairCafe, where our expert volunteers can fix your everyday items and keep them out of the landfill. They can even show you how to do it yourself! We can fix:

- Electronics & Computers
- Clothing & Leather goods
- Small appliances & lamps
- Wooden furniture
- Knife sharpening
- 3D-printed repairs
- #Bike maintenance and repairs"

#HabitatRestore
1 Chandler Dr SUITE 2
Bath, Maine 04530 United States

https://www.bikemaine.org/event/repair-cafe-with-the-bcm/

So, after today's #FightForTheFuture, please join myself (and anyone else who'd like to chime in) for tomorrow's #SolarPunkSunday ! Even though it's a holiday for some, I'll still be posting about #RepairCafes, #Gardening, #Degrowth, and other related subjects! It's time to plant #SeedsOfChange!

#Colorado - #Libraries and the ‘economy of sharing’

An ode to the palace of the people

By Kaylee Harter - Apr. 9, 2025

"Visit one of BPL’s #makerspaces, a feature that’s become a staple in many libraries, and you can use #3DPrinters, #looms, #LaserCutters, #ScreenPrinting equipment and more.

" 'It’s a collaborative learning environment,' Farnan says. 'We’re learning together. If you were to go into the makerspace today and ask, like, ‘I’m thinking about doing this,’ then they would say, ‘I don’t know how to do that, but let’s figure it out.’

" 'That is inherently resilient.'

"He recalls a blind artist who came in with a unique challenge: 'She wanted to be able to see her drawings.'

" 'They worked with her with 3D printers, with the laser cutters and that kind of thing, in order to transfer her drawings into dimensional objects, because they were abstractions, so that she could then see them with her fingers.'

"Despite the always expanding array of programming and services, the books themselves — and literacy for all ages — are ever important."

https://boulderweekly.com/special-editions/libraries-and-the-economy-of-sharing/