Winter Workshops

Learn how to identify residential and migratory bird species that occur throughout Cincinnati based on their size and shape, color and pattern, behavior, habitat, and songs and calls. We’ll also cover essential tools such as binoculars, field guides, and other resources, along with tips for beginner birdwatchers. Extra binoculars will be available to borrow.
The first hour will be a lecture, and the second hour will be birdwatching at Parker Woods. Car pool options available!

How to Build a Bike Bus

Explore mechanical braking systems to strengthen your stopping power. In this hands-on workshop, you’ll learn how cables, levers, pads, and calipers work together to stop wheels reliably. Participants will practice replacing cables and pads and adjusting multiple types of rim brakes.

Bikes from the co-op’s collection will be used for this workshop; participants should not bring their own bikes. Space is limited to 12 participants.

Have experience gardening? Want to share experiences or learn from others? Meet new friends and discuss the joy of growing living things. Bring a dish, seeds, plants, and joy to share.

This workshop focuses on understanding and adjusting bicycle drivetrains, with a mix of instruction and hands-on practice. The session begins with a one-hour clinic, followed by two hours of guided, hands-on work.

Details coming soon! Mark your calendar and check back shortly for more information.

Give your holey tubes and textiles a little more mileage. In this hands-on clinic, you’ll learn how to diagnose and patch flat bike tubes and mend worn-out clothes. You’ll practice replacing tubes, figuring out why a flat occurred, and basic visible mending techniques.

Needles, thread, and patches will be provided. Bring your own tubes and clothing, or practice on items from MoBo and the Free Bench. After a short lesson, there will be time to fix things on your own.

Space is limited to 12 participants.

Discover the rewarding process of turning freshly fallen black walnuts into a delicious, usable ingredient. In this hands-on workshop, you’ll learn practical and efficient methods for hulling, cleaning, curing, cracking, and storing this abundant wild food. *Wear clothes that you don’t mind getting stained.*

There’s no shortage of used bikes, but how do you know what they’re really worth? In this presentation-style workshop, Corey, a career mechanic at Montgomery Cyclery, will cover how to avoid getting ripped off, practice good bike intake, and more accurately price bikes, including bikes for sale at MoBo.

This workshop is recommended for Open Shop volunteers and anyone planning to help with the annual Bike and Plant Sale. Stick around after the talk for the Cheap Bike Build-Off Competition at 5 pm and put your assessment skills to the test.

May is National Bike Month, and in this workshop, you’ll learn one of the many ways to get involved—by planning welcoming bike rides for people of all ages and abilities. Facilitated by Alexander and Caitlin, this session offers simple, people-centered strategies for planning safe community rides, with time to sketch out your own Bike Month ride.

The first half of the workshop is a presentation. In the second half, you’ll have time to plan your ride, connect with others, and get ready to promote and share it with the world.

Join Anna and Kat for an introductory workshop where you’ll learn essential bike maintenance skills. We’ll cover fundamental repairs and adjustments that will help you handle common issues and feel more self-reliant on the road. This workshop is for women, trans, femme, and non-binary cyclists and community members. No experience needed!

Come learn the basics of carpentry and help us build some benches!

We will go over terminology, materials, tool usage, and proper techniques to make a you more confident with wood.