'Learn to Fix' Bike Maintenance - FREE!

On the edge of the Bristol Channel at Porlock Weir, England, Exmoor Adventures runs a compact, hands-on workshop called 'Learn to Fix' Bike Maintenance — FREE! Funded by Cycling UK and taught by a qualified mechanic, this two-hour session equips riders with practical skills: puncture repairs, changing brake pads, fixing a broken chain, tightening a headset, and a basic bike check. The meeting point is Exmoor Adventures at Porlock Weir, a working harbour where tide-scoured stones, salt marsh and low cliffs meet lanes that feed into Exmoor National Park. The class is short but dense: expect demonstration, tools in hand, and repeated chances to practice under an instructor’s supervision.

Because it's free (there's a refundable £5 booking fee), it attracts local commuters, weekend tourists staying nearby, and mountain bikers heading into Exmoor's heather-clad commons. Learning to repair a flat or realign brakes saves a day from being ruined on the coast or singletrack above the harbor. The skills translate across road, gravel and trail bikes, and the group limit (4–8) means attention is personal and questions get answered.

Porlock Weir itself is part of the landscape: a tidal inlet with old stone quays and views across to the Bristol Channel. On clear days the windswept moor and cobbled harbour walls provide a raw, useful classroom: practice pumping tires and tweezing out glass with the sea and cliffs in view. The geology here is typical Exmoor—Devonian sandstones and shales—so you’ll see coarse grit underfoot on nearby lanes and pebbled beaches on the estuary.

That mix of coast and moor makes this a useful place to learn bike care before heading up onto the Hangman Hills or along the coastal roads. Participants leave with a simple kit list and a confidence checklist: how to swap a tube under pressure, measure pad wear, and diagnose a creak. The session also covers basic tool selection and how to improvise roadside fixes from items commonly carried on rides.

Small-group learning accelerates skill retention—by turning mistakes into immediate corrections rather than guesswork miles from help. Instructors frequently point out local repair resources so you won’t be stranded; nearby bike shops in Porlock Weir and neighboring villages stock common spares and can advise on longer repairs. Bring curiosity, patience and sturdy shoes.

Beyond the mechanics, this session plugs riders into the local cycling scene: instructors share route tips, safe coastal lanes, and where to get parts locally. The refundable booking fee keeps no-shows low and supports charity if unused. Whether you’re fixing a commuter bike or preparing for a multi-day ride through Exmoor’s wind-pruned ridges, this practical clinic offers confidence, competence, and immediate, usable skills — all delivered in one of England’s most characterful coastal outdoor settings.