Who is Gracie?
No, my name is not "Gracie". So who is she and where did she come from?
When I was a child I lacked a considerable sense of spatial relations. This manifested itself in bumping into things, falling down, and generally bumbling about my life. My mother often chided me at those moments with a roll of her eyes saying, "Nice one, Grace."
"Gracie's Wrench" is a nod to the girl I was from the woman I've become. Proof positive that if I (with two left hands and two left feet) can fly on a bicycle and learn to become a master mechanic then it's within the reach of anyone, no matter what your skill or confidence level.
Resume
Employment
Gracie's Wrench, Portland, OR.
Offering full-scale bicycling education and consulting services including mechanics classes, individual tutoring, one-on-one commuter consultations, wheel building, and corporate consultations to help employers encourage their employees to commute by bike and build and maintain facilities that create commuting opportunities. Owner responsibilities include management, sales, ordering, scheduling, marketing, teaching classes and workshops, curriculum building, consulting corporations on bicycling facilities and employee outreach, one-on-one commuter consults, outreach, program development. March '06- present.
The Bike Gallery, Portland, OR.
Accomplished basic and advanced bicycle repairs, customer service, retail sales, diagnosis, leading clinics on maintenance and repairs, commuter consultant helping new riders find their way onto the road, developing new programs to help support customers. March '06- September '08.
Bicycle Transportation Alliance, Portland, OR.
Hurtled the daily challenges of educating middle and elementary school children on safe bicycle riding in traffic and basic maintenance skills. September '03- October '05.
North Portland Bike Works, Portland, OR.
Gave new lives to donated bicycles while repairing bicycles, assisting customers, organizing volunteers and teaching and empowering new mechanics during Volunteer Night, Bicycle Mechanics Classes and the Summer Youth Program. May '04- December '05.
River City Bicycles, Portland, OR.
Diligently assembeld new bicycles while keeping up to date with the latest technologies. September '02- July '03.
Community Cycling Center, Portland, OR.
Embraced the challenges of developing and directing the Create-A-Commuter, Bike Safety Club and Summer Bike Camps programs as well as assisting in the Holiday Bike Drive, volunteer nights and rejuvenating and repairing donated bicycles. October '01- August '02.
Publications
Bicycling Magazine’s Big Book of Cycling for Beginners
June 2014
Bicycling Magazine
September 2011- present
ORBike
Bi-monthly maintenance series. Jan 2010- PresentBike Portland
Monthly “Optimize Your Ride” column, February 2011- 2012
Certifications
League of American Bicyclists Instructor
Nationally recognized certification instructing bicycle safety on the road in traffic and safe bike handling skills. September '08.
Education
Western Illinois University, Macomb, IL
B.A. in Theatre. Curriculum included extensive writing and social skills. Graduated with honors, Summa Cum Laude.
Press
Bicycling Magazine: The Ultimate Beginner's Guide to Cycling
Bicycling Magazine: Gracie's Wrench 5 All-Time Greatest Wrenching Fixes
Gracie's Wrench at Pedal Nation
Go Ahead Grab the Wrench
Riding with the Bulls
Back to School at Gracie's Wrench
Bortman Bonanza Gracie's Wrench
Answered: Learn How to Ride a Bike in Portland
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