Do you have a question about WBI's Park Tool School? If it's not answered here, please contact us.

1. Is the "Park Tool School" suitable for home mechanics?
2. How often is the course run?
3. Is the course run during the summer?
4. How much does the course cost?
5. Is there a charge for shop supplies?
6. Can I take my own bike to work on?
7. Will I need to buy textbooks?
8. Do I have to take my own tools?
9. Does WBI sell tools?
10. What time does the course start?
11. What about snow days?
12. What should I wear while on the course?
13. Do students receive a certificate?
14. Where is WBI located?
15. Where can I stay while at WBI?

Is the "Park Tool School" suitable for home mechanics?

The primary target for this course is the home mechanic. Whether you're a recreational or serious cyclist, the Park Tool School will give you the skills and confidence to tackle your own basic repairs and adjustments. You'll also know when to seek skilled assistance from your local bike shop, and you'll have the knowledge to talk about your bike's needs. The Park Tool School is also a good introduction for those interested in taking our advanced Pro Bike Mechanics course, and wondering whether they've got the necessary foundation to take on the tougher challenge of the 11-day immersion course.
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How often is the course run?

Our Park Tool School is run approximately every other month. Check our event calendar for the next offering. We can also schedule a custom offering if you have a group of at least 4 people. Contact us for this.
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Is the course run during the summer?

Yes, our Park Tool School is run during the summer. Check the Event Calendar for dates.
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How much does the course cost?

The Park Tool School cost is $225. The course cost includes use of all shop facilities, tooling, shop supplies and bikes. It also includes a copy of Park Tool's "Big Blue Book of Bicycle Repair".
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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 grease, cables, housing, ferrules and so on.
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Can I take my own bike to work on?

WBI has a full stable of shop bikes that are configured and maintained for the hands-on labs. Each bench has a vintage bike with simple fully-serviceable bearings, a Trek 6500 mountain bike, a Lemond Tourmalet 10-speed road bike, and a Trek Mystic juvenile bike. These bikes provide us with the full diversity of componentry needed for the hands-on work. In addition, we have a complete set of frames, components and wheel building parts used in specific labs. If you commute to WBI by bicycle, we provide secure indoor storage during class hours. One advantage of WBI's Park Tool School is that we offering a follow-up day when student's can return with their bike to work on it using our fully-tooled benches, and with our helpful presence.
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Will I need to buy textbooks?

An individual copy of Park Tool's "Big Blue Book of Bicycle Repair" is included in the course fee, and it's yours to keep. We also have a full reference library including Barnett's Manual, Sutherland's Handbook, manufacturer technical documentation, and distributor catalogues available for students' use.
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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.
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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.
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What time does the course start?

Class starts each morning at 9:00 a.m. and ends at 5:00 p.m. Lunch time each day runs from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. There's also a mid-morning and mid-afternoon break.
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What about snow days?

We've had several snow days during which local schools and events were cancelled. We were open as usual. Since instructors are local, we'll be available and able to run the course. Regardless of radio announcements relating to local business and school closures, assume we're open.

Most students are local, or at least staying in local accommodation, and travel is usually not an issue. Where a student is commuting a longer distance and unable to make it in, we'll consider alternate arrangements as needed. As always, each student needs to make the decision with regard to their own safety in whether or not to venture out on the roads.
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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.
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Do students receive a certificate?

Students receive a frameable Park Tool certificate for completing the course.
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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.
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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 all 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. Once registered, we can send you contact information for at least one private residence with multiple rooms close to WBI where a number of students have stayed.
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