The founders of the bicycle workshop are most pleased with the bicycles of the 90s – they are incredibly durable, do not hide them in storage rooms

“When spring comes, bicycles swim in the water. Everyone is preparing for the new season with inspiration!”, Linas Mazgeika and Gediminas Mankevičius, the founders of the bicycle workshop “Ride and Mend”, say as they barely manage to spin. They are happy that more and more Kaunas people choose an active lifestyle, and some, like Linas himself, give up the car altogether and successfully switch to a “horse” with two wheels.

The interviewees fell in love with cycling in their childhood. When they grew up, they kept coming to the garage or storage room to check them, to see if they were working well. Growing up, Gediminas Mankevičius immersed himself in cycling, he participates in mountain bike competitions. Both interviewees previously worked as bicycle couriers. Quarantine has seen an increased need for cycling rules, 2021. at the beginning, he opened one such institution near the Unity Square. They set up the workshop from old, donated, given away furniture and other equipment, bought tools and started working.

The friends are not only skilled, but also try to educate visitors, teach how to maintain bicycles and emphasize the necessity of a helmet.

“Here, the helmet of one of our most regular customers – Saulius – is damaged. In winter, he went down the Paroda mountain on the sidewalk. It was slippery, he braked, he skidded, overturned and hit the back of his head on the road barrier. When he got up, he said, his head hurt a lot. Even after the helmet absorbs the impact. The helmet saved his life! When riding a bicycle, we recommend always using a helmet”, emphasized L. Mazgeika.

The most difficult part of their job is to revive bicycles after accidents, especially after collisions with cars.

“We have to turn our heads quite a bit, we work with our belts out,” noted the master G. Mankevičius, not moving away from the bicycle being repaired.

It is interesting that the community in the service is also created by the fact that if you have the skills, you can repair the bike here yourself.

“We have a free stand. You come, hang the bike and repair it, if something is not clear – you get our consultation right away. We lend tools. We learn from each other,” said L. Mazgeika.

The eyes of craftsmen Linas and Gediminas sparkle the most when the talk turns to old bicycles.

“We specialize in repairing and restoring bikes from the 90s. They are made of steel, “terribly” durable. Practically unbreakable. We’re looking for the 90s bikes that were at the top of the list at the time that racers dreamed of buying. It’s a pity that these bikes are now lying in storage rooms dusty and rusted, although they are really of high quality, each screw is precisely made. Now you buy a new galaxy bike for 200 euros and it seems that everything is made from scratch. You tighten the screw and you can’t tighten it according to the requirements, everything comes out… You can’t compare it to the old ones from the 20th century. with bicycles”, commented master G. Mankevičius.

His colleague Linas adds: “The bicycle is a perfect invention. If it was once well-made, it will remain so, you just need to take care of it, store it, pay attention to it, love it and it will drive perfectly. Retro bikes are better than most new bikes. Their validity period is unlimited”, stated the master.

Interviewers show their old bikes right here. The steel frame of the linen bicycle was manufactured between 1991 and 1993. The steel frame of Gediminas racing bike dates back to 1998. This bike was built by Gediminas himself, combined with modern components especially for racing.

“We like the variety of bikes: mountain, road, gravel type. The more diverse, the more interesting. I have three bikes, Gediminas has two so far. They represent cars well, I know because I recently gave up my car. I replaced it with bicycles and public transport. I am happy!”, said Linas Mazgeika.

Of course, after making such a decision, you need to adapt to the nuances: special clothing and tires are necessary in winter, and in addition, a lot of salt is poured on the road in Kaunas in winter, which gets into the rims.

A gallery of renovated bicycles hangs on the wall – craftsmen not only repair bicycles, but also assemble them from parts like jigsaw puzzles. They are engaged in refurbishing and repainting bicycles. Also collects individual bicycles. The most expensive bicycle in their hands cost 8 thousand. euros, which the craftsmen assembled from parts.

“Since it is used in racing, there can be no mistakes, we worked with extreme precision,” both emphasized.

Bicycles come to the workshop from a variety of places: cluttered storage rooms, garages or even containers.

“Sometimes, someone finds a bicycle frame in the garbage, pulls it out and asks what can be done with it. And we assemble something that drives”, says L. Mazgeika with a smile.

For one elderly man, a former surgeon, the masters assembled a special bicycle, taking into account the fact that the driver has leg problems, and he wants to think.

“He had an old bicycle. My son promised to fix it for six years, but never got around to it. When I found out about it, I realized that a man who is approaching one hundred years old needs to adjust the bike as soon as possible so that he still has time to enjoy it. At the weekend, when I wasn’t working, I finished everything, reassembled it overnight and brought it back the next day. He was indescribably happy, he tried it right away and he still loves it,” said G. Mankevičius.

The masters state that the level has already been reached when, while walking through the city, they immediately notice their work: it turns out that both this and that bicycle have been repaired by them. They remember the weak point of the bike, so they come to look and check it.

Interlocutors note that the bicycle gives a sense of freedom, helps to forget problems and clear the mind.

Inspired by the feeling of freedom, Gediminas sat down on a bicycle at the age of 7. He participates in mountain bike races with the strongest Lithuanian athletes. He appears in the competition with 1998. by bike The racers react to this with surprise, saying that such an old bike should be given a separate award.

“Because they themselves would be afraid to even drive with such a thing. They have been driving for 2 years. old bikes and are already looking for newer ones, and I am even 26 years old, – notes G. Mankevičius and adds: – For me, the most important thing is that it is fun, interesting to ride, and the result is a secondary thing. But, of course, one day I would like to stand on the podium.”

He prepares for competitions in Kaunas, he likes to train in the Panemune heath and other safe tracks. Here, the cyclist notes that cycling in nature in the spring attracts the anger of those around him: people specially dig holes, stretch a cable to prevent riders.

“Very sad about it. Such “janitors” only cause more damage to nature: they trim trees, dig holes. I can assure you that cyclists take a responsible approach to training in nature, we have never even left garbage behind – we collect everything and take it home,” said G. Mankevičius.

L. Mazgeika has been actively mining in the city of Kaunas for 6-7 years. and notices that the relationship between cyclists and car drivers has improved.

“Before, drivers reacted as if they had seen a bicycle for the first time. They beeped, ignored, specially pressed against the curb. Then I decided: it’s hard, but it won’t be any other way, you need to think properly and set a good example for people, learn to live together in the city. The situation has improved significantly over the years, but another challenge has emerged – rental scooters. Teenagers ride 2-3 on one scooter, and after driving, they drop them anywhere: in the middle of the bike path, on the sidewalk, in the meadow. Maybe there is no place for them in the center?”, L. Mazgeika thought.

The regulation of the Courier Association hangs on the wall in the bicycle rule. This organization aims to provide couriers with social guarantees, stable work and income, and also provides legal and material assistance. Bicycle couriers are welcome here during breaks between orders. They can use the kitchenette, sit down, relax, chat or play a computer game.

Karolis has been working as a courier in Kaunas for four years. To improve the work of couriers, he proposes to introduce traffic changes in the city center: Kęstučio St., K. Donelaičio St. By the way, he can praise the drivers of the Center, they follow the traffic rules. When working with a bicycle, he tries to ride with the traffic in the city, at a speed of about 30 km/h. However, accidents do occur, which he says are mostly due to inadequate infrastructure.

“On Kęstutis Street, I would suggest to adjust the bike path – to change the sides of the traffic lanes. It would be more in line with car traffic, drivers’ thinking, looking around”, says courier Karolis, who covers about 70 km in the center of Kaunas per day, and sometimes all 100 km.

The doors of the workshop are open all day: while we are chatting, a few Kaunas people come in, carrying bicycles, a courier runs by, a few cyclists come in for a while, Paulius Bakutis, the president of the Lithuanian Cyclists’ Association who is located in the neighborhood, also comes to help.

He suggests looking in the new navigation app “Burbi”, where Kaunas’ bicycle paths and street connections are marked. The app helps you find the most direct route, see the most beautiful places in the city – while traveling on paths suitable for bicycles. In the app, bicycle paths are marked separately, common pedestrian and bicycle paths are drawn in a different color. For example, Laisvės avenue has a shared path, where it is not as convenient to ride as a separate bike path along Savanorių avenue.

“The map shows obstacles for cyclists, such as problems with the pedestrian crossing near the Kaunas Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired. In Kaunas, cyclists face problems at intersections, there is a lack of crossings. In the app, everyone is encouraged to mark the challenges waiting for cyclists in a specific place, such as a pothole, the construction of a path by cars, etc.”, P. Bakutis urged.

Before saying goodbye, the bicycle masters invite you to the event – April 6. The bicycle race “Traukia kairė” will be held at “Vilko Kartodrome”, during which six bicycle classes will compete. There will be a party after the competition. This is the symbolic opening of the cycling season.