Basic Bikepacking Workshop

In keeping a promise...

A novice cyclist once asked: "Hey Sam, you should organise a workshop for us beginners. Teach us how to patch a punctured tube and maintain our bikes.."
I took the cue, gauged the interest, established an on-line community first through Google Groups, which is now defunct which paved way for the Malaysian Foldies Forums.
And on the first outing, I managed to rope-in Schwalbe Malaysia to co-host a workshop called: "Basic Bicycle Recovery" at Desa Park City.

Fourth series in a row

In keeping with my promise, I proposed to conduct the Bikepacking For Beginners workshop, catering to a crowd of between 30-40 people.
I ran this with the event's co-host Mr Edmund Foo of Atmosphere Outfitters who agreed to have it at his premise for the second time. (We did Basic Folding Bicycle Touring last year).
To get things going, I also roped in Mr Yong from Quicksports, a loyal supporter of the MF group who specialises in the sale of Garmin Bicycling GPS.
Yong had set up a table to display his ware as well as participate in the 30-minute talk I conducted for the crowd.

A participant registering for the workshop

The crowd checking out Yong's goods

The crowd during the talk

Introducing Yong from Quicksports

Edmund with his special tee-shirts

A family affair

I managed to get some help from my wife Michelle who generously contributed an overhead projector for my PowerPoint presentation.
She also manned the registration table where door gifts were handed out courtesy of Le Run Industries. 
We expected at least 30 people, half the number had turned up.
Nevertheless, the show must go on! 
So, I presented my talk and ended it by thanking the participants and co-hosts for turning up.

Giving back

Hosting the talks was my way of contributing to the public apart from my opinions through my blog and Folding Bike Column on BaikBike.com.
By teaching people on how to do things, it is my hope that someday, they too would be able to spread the awareness.
Our good deeds in reflected through good examples and if done right, the interest could be sustainable.
That said, I hope to continue giving back to the community through my series of talks conducted at no cost to the participants...