Women's Bike Workshop... any good?

A guest post from Katriel Costello (owner of a Trek Navigator) 

When you hear Mal, chief mechanic at the Mud Dock, talk about bikes you wonder if there’s anyone in Bristol who knows more about two-wheelers than him. And, if there is, just imagine the perfect cycling mean machine they’d be capable of building if they teamed up.

Navigator 2.0

We were here to learn all we could from Mal – at Mud Dock Cycleworks’ Bike-Fixing Babes Workshop. Upwards of 40 women came, their bikes congesting Mud Dock’s bike hoops and available railing space, and this on a rainy Friday night.

Every kind of cyclist was there, from commuters to road tourers to town cyclists, each with a different range of knowledge about their bike’s mechanics. Mud Dock workshops were pitched perfectly down the middle, allowing for all levels: from those who have never changed an inner tube to those who adjust their rear derailleurs just for fun.

There was a certain amount of trepidation about spending an evening with an expert, but when the workshop started off with the not-exactly-rocket-science but often overlooked fact that taking a brush and warm water to your bike regularly is key to good maintenance, we visibly relaxed.

A simple household brush and a bucket of water is key to keeping gears and brakes lasting longer. Sounds simple, doesn’t it? Yet a straw poll revealed that almost none of us clean our bikes regularly.

Mal and his obliging assistant, James, showed us how to take off a back wheel, the easy way to take off a tyre, how to stop gears making that annoying rattle and how to get up close and personal with your transmission.

Handy tips and hints came thick and fast: pump up your tyres regularly, every day if you’re doing a long commute, and after you’ve oiled your chain (that’s assuming you do), wipe off the excess from the outside – else it acts as a magnet to those bits of grit and dirt from the road.

Mal’s love of bikes is obvious and he loves to share his knowledge – it came as no surprise to hear that he’s been dismantling bikes in his bedroom since he was 12 (though let’s hope he’s not still doing that now).

So when you see a woman on a shining, gleaming bicycle in Bristol you’ll know she’s been to see Mal at the Mud Dock…

Keep updated on the the next Women's Workshop.

A private function

Anna on why Mud Dock wins with group bookers

“Mud Dock is popular for private functions and bookings. I organise those and I really enjoy it. Yesterday we had a large party in the cafe, a trade organisation, and I just got a fabulous email from the person there, saying how happy they were. That makes me happy, I told everyone in the kitchen, too. It’s nice to get these opinions.

“For the private events people book out the cafe as a whole, inside and out. Of course the balcony is a fantastic place to be with the views over the docks, the boats passing, always something happening, something to look at.

Weddings throughout the year
“Weddings are very popular and I’ve noticed they are happening throughout the year now, just the summer. I am taking bookings for next year already, so I can say the weddings side of this business is getting busier.

“Christmas, of course, we get a lot of corporate bookings, as well as private parties. The Christmas menu is now available, just give me a call on 0117 934 9734. 
 
“In the kitchen the number of staff goes up and down depending on the day of the week. Weekends we have a stronger team simply because it is busier.

“Weekends are our busiest time, but it also depends a lot on the weather. It so unpredictable here, we never know. For instance, we can be full, even if it is Monday afternoon, if it is sunny. 



The future is unwritten
“The weather is just one reason why it can be tricky to manage a team — I have to make sure we have the right number of people every day. How many people I need for a shift? It is tricky, it’s not just about making a rota, you have to be a fortune-teller! I judge the weather forecast, and factor in all sorts of other events. For instance the Harbourside Festival for instance. These have have a big impact too. This is not easy — but it is what makes the work interesting.

There's more from Anna on the magic ingredients at Mud Dock here.

Inside Mud Dock Cafe

Anna Grejner-Ciszkiewicz on the secret ingredient in the Mud Dock Cafe recipe

“We have got one of the most dedicated teams I’ve ever known. Many people won’t realise it, but working in the kitchen is one of the toughest jobs. If you’ve never done it then you can’t really know. And remember, every dish is made from scratch. So everything takes more time. We put a lot of time and love into each dish.

“The food is all freshly made and cooked, ever day, even the burgers and chunky chips. The eggs are free-range, every portion is made separately, individually. We make it all here in the kitchen. That’s why it all tastes so good!

“The fish of the day is something we are very proud of. Everything is ordered from the suppliers day by day. Nothing is frozen, we have daily deliveries, every morning… very early! We work closely with the suppliers to know what is good, day to day. Whatever is in season, we get the best fish.

“Mud Dock is also famous for our weekend brunches: they are the best. People come from far and wide just for the breakfast, honestly, it’s amazing. They come back again and again. If they are not Bristolians, and they are visiting the city, they make a point of coming here as part of their day.

“Now I am talking about it I don’t think we make enough noise about that."

In future posts Anna reveals more about what makes the Cafe so special

Locks, brands, money and word of mouth

Workshop manager Mal Armstrong with more insider knowledge

"People who own expensive bikes often don’t own locks. That might sound odd, but these guys would never let their bikes out of their sight. At Mud Dock the lock-up service we offer would make even these guys feel safe.

All in the detail

"Some people see a bike as just a means to an end — often this is to save them money. They buy the bike and expect it go on for ever. But it’s not like that, you have to look after it. That’s why we offer maintenance workshops.

"Many people come to us after a recommendation from a friend. Word of mouth like that is very common, and we get to know networks of people who have all suggested Mud Dock to their friends and family.

"And of course we also get some customers who come because they can only get a certain brand of bike here. All in all we really do have a cosmopolitan mix of people."

Our series on the view from within Mud Dock will continue with further posts