Visionary Professional Services
916-709-6415

Learn.

Mini-Courses

Visionary Professional Services has teamed up with the Bicycle Chef bicycle shop to offer monthly bicycle education mini-courses at their 2409 J Street location.  Each two-hour class will teach you strategies for integrating bicycling into your lifestyle. 

CYCLING IN TRAFFIC SERIES (3 courses)

This three session series focuses on bicycling basics, integrating into traffic, avoiding hazards and etiquette.  Cyclists who graduate from these three mini-courses are eligible to participate in our Practice Courses.  You are also welcome to take individual courses without completing the series. 

Cycling in Traffic: Bicycling Basics. Learn how to select bicycles and helmets well suited for your body size and cycling needs.  Gain an introduction to building a cycling wardrobe.  Identify which essential tools to include in your emergency kit and how to use them.  Quickly determine whether your bike is safe before you leave on your ride.  Learn the name and purpose of your bike’s mechanical components.

Cycling in Traffic: Integrating into Traffic. Learn how to use hand signals and lane positioning to pass parked cars and navigate through 4-way stop intersections. Avoid unnecessary citations by becoming aware of laws that affect bicyclists.  A Bicycle Chef mechanic will teach you how to deal with a flat tire.

Cycling in Traffic: Dodging Obstacles and Cycling Etiquette. Learn how to avoid or maneuver around the hazards and scenarios responsible for common crashes and falls.  Learn the etiquette for riding on multi-use trails and in large, on-road cycling groups.  A Bicycle Chef mechanical expert will explain and demonstrate how to adjust your front and rear brakes.

Running Errands Via Bicycle. Learn how to transport cargo by bicycle using carts, panniers and packs.  We will teach you how to map out a comfortable, safe route between your destinations and to transport you and your bike on transit to reach far away destinations.  You will find out how to choose a sturdy lock and safe places to park your bike.  Strategies for cycling in low light conditions will be discussed briefly.

Bicycle Commuting. This course will teach you how to transport your work related belongings, such as clothes, laptop and paperwork; using your bicycle.  We will discuss which types of locks to use and where to park your bike.  You will learn strategies for freshening up after your ride, creating a back up plan and handling special needs, such as driving your car for work or dropping your children off at day care, while bike commuting.

Building Your Endurance. Discover how to shifting your bike’s gears and maintaining optimum pedal speed can help you to ascend inclines and hills without depleting your energy.  We will teach you about basic nutrition that can generate the energy necessary to cycle long distances.  You will learn ways to lock your feet into place on the pedals to maximize your pedal strength.  A Bicycle Chef mechanic will show you how to adjust your bike’s front and rear derailleurs.   

Seasonal and Low Light Cycling. Learn how to select and layer insulating garments that will keep you warm while riding in the cold and rainy weather.  We will show you how to stay visible to other road users and avoid citations in low light conditions.  A Bicycle Chef mechanic will teach you how to select and ins