Suspension Course

Where can I stay while at WBI?

Guelph has the usual variety of small to mid-sized name brand motels/hotels, as well as a variety of B&B's.  At least one or two students in most of our courses to date have stayed at the London House B&B and found it be quite good.  Since Guelph is a university city, there is also lots of student rooming available.  In addition, we have negotiated a special long-stay rate at the new Marriott Fairfield Inn & Suites.  This full-service hotel is located at the corner of Hwy 6

Where is WBI located?

See our contact page for a GoogleMaps locator and our address.  We're located in the Hanlon Industrial/Business Park at the south end of Guelph.  From highway 401, take highway 6 North to the traffic lights at Laird Rd, turn right, then turn left the second time you come to Southgate Drive (Southgate is a big loop; don't turn the first time you encounter Southgate).  We're about a 40 minute drive from Toronto's Pearson Airport.

What should I wear while on the course?

There are two considerations in choosing how to dress for this course.  First of all, our shop is in a poorly-insulated concrete block industrial building, and it gets cool and drafty in the winter time.  Dress with a couple of warm layers, and for sure put on some warm socks.  Secondly, this is a shop course and you'll be handling grease, oil, cutting fluid and so on.  While our shop bikes have never been ridden, and have never been outside in the mud and dirt, it's still a shop environment.  Be prepared to deal with the usual shop dirt and stains.

What about snow days?

There have been several snow days in which local schools, including the College campus, were closed.  We were open as usual.  Since instructors are local, at least one of us will be available and able to run the course on any given day.  Regardless of radio announcements relating to local business and school closures, assume we're open. 

Does WBI sell tools?

As a service to WBI's students, our parent company, Winterborne Custom Bicycles, offers a one-time opportunity during the course to order tools, parts and accessories from any of Winterborne's suppliers, at a good discount below suggested retail prices. Home mechanics often use this opportunity to assess their needs and supplement their home tooling at a reasonable cost. It's also an opportunity to order bike parts which can be installed on the follow-up day.

Do I have to take my own tools?

WBI has six fully-tooled student workbenches and a fully-tooled instructor bench for use during classes.  To help us manage our tooling inventory, we request that you do not bring your own tools to class.

Is there a charge for shop supplies?

All shop supplies used during the course are included in your course fee.  This includes all the miscellaneous bits'n'pieces such as spokes, grease, cutting fluid, cables, housing, ferrules, nitrile gloves, suspenion oil, hydraulic fluid, and so on.