Three Northern Virginia adult education programs are separately sponsoring five cycling skills and bicycle maintenance courses taught by Allen Muchnick, a nationally certified League of American Bicyclists (LAB) Cycling Instructor. All classes meet on weekday evenings from 6:30-9:30 PM.

The five courses are (see longer descriptions, fees, dates, and locations below):

* Bicycling 101, a 3-hour discussion of bicycling basics for new and intermediate riders.

* Cycling with Confidence (LAB Road-1), the essential, comprehensive, and very practical 9-hour cycling skills course for *all* bicyclists;

* Proficient Cycling (LAB Road-2), 9 hours of advanced cycling and mechanical skills for Road-1 graduates;

* Bicycle Maintenance & Repair, a 3-hour lecture and demonstration; and

* Bicycle Mechanics Workshop, a 3-hour hands-on sequel to any course listed above.

TO REGISTER, contact the local course sponsor at least one week IN ADVANCE:

* Alexandria Recreation and Parks (703-838-4969 [or 703-519-2166] or go to [http://tinyurl.com/23kxr2] , sign in with the "guest" button, and select "sports" under "activity").

* Arlington Adult Education (703-228-7200 or [http://www.arlingtonadulted.org] . To view all bicycle classes, go to [http://tinyurl.com/2dv57s] .

* Fairfax County Adult & Community Education (703-658-1201 [or 703-658-1225] or [http://www.aceclasses.org] . Search "bicycle" and "cycling" to find all classes, or go to [http://tinyurl.com/2kmm4g] .

For questions about the instruction, contact the instructor, Allen Muchnick, at <allenmuchnick@yahoo.com> or 703-271-0895.

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BICYCLING 101. Performance, equipment, safety, and maintenance basics for new and intermediate riders: comfort and improvement tips, self-sufficiency, use of gearing, and street cycling fundamentals. No riding. One three-hour session.

Alexandria Recreation and Parks Session, $25/$50 non-residents
* 140302-01: Tu, Jul 16, Nannie J Lee Ctr, 6:30-9:30 PM

* * *

CYCLING WITH CONFIDENCE (LAB ROAD-I). Learn the craft of cycling with on-bike and classroom instruction in key cycling skills for roads, paths, and groups: equipment use and care, breakdown repairs, efficient pedalling, bike handling, training, vehicular (street) cycling, and crash prevention. Bike and helmet REQUIRED at all sessions. Three 3-hr sessions (9 hrs).

Fairfax County Course, $109 ($69.40 for resident seniors):
* TI05302-20: M, June 16, 23, & 30, Pimmit Hills Ctr, 6:30-9:30 PM

Alexandria Course, $70 residents/$95 non-residents:
* 140305-01: 3W, Jul 23, Jul 30, & Aug 6, Nannie J Lee Ctr, 6:30-9:30 PM

* * *

PROFICENT CYCLING (LAB Road-2). Advanced cycling and mechanical skills for Road-1 graduates: ride hills, rural roads, urban arterials, and freeway merges; discuss endurance training and hot, cold, wet, and dark conditions; observe common maintenance procedures. Bike and helmet REQUIRED at all sessions. Three 3-hr sessions (9 hrs).

Alexandria Course, $70 residents/$95 non-residents:
* 140306-01: 3W, Aug 13, 20, & 27, Nannie J Lee Ctr, 6:30-9:30 PM

* * *

BICYCLE MAINTENANCE & REPAIR. Lecture/demonstration on bike fit, breakdown repairs, and the inspection, adjustment, lubrication, and renovation of diverse components. Bike not required. One 3-hour session.

Arlington County Sessions, $39 residents/$50 non-residents, seniors $29/$39:
* GI-813B: W, June 18, Arlington Career Ctr, 6:30-9:30 PM
* GI-813C: Tu, July 29, Arlington Career Ctr, 6:30-9:30 PM

Fairfax County Session, $32 ($19.20 for resident seniors), plus $17 for optional "$25" textbook:
* TI05300-21: Tu, July 8, Pimmit Hills Ctr, 6:30-9:30 PM

Alexandria Recreation and Parks Session, $25/$50 non-residents
* 140303-01: Tu, Aug 19, Nannie J Lee Ctr, 6:30-9:30 PM

* * *

BICYCLE MECHANICS WORKSHOP. This self-directed, hands-on sequel to any other bicycle class lets you tune up, fix, or modify your bicycle or practice inspection, maintenance, or repair procedures. Bring bike(s), supplies, and inspiration. One 3-hour session.

Arlington County Sessions, $39 residents/$50 non-residents, seniors $29/$39:
* GI-814B: W, June 25, Arlington Career Ctr, 6:30-9:30 PM
* GI-814C: Tu, Aug 5, Arlington Career Ctr, 6:30-9:30 PM

Fairfax County Session, $39 ($23.40 for resident seniors):
* TI05301-20: Tu, July 15, Pimmit Hills Ctr, 6:30-9:30 PM

Alexandria Recreation and Parks Session, $25 residents/$50 non-residents:
* 140304-01: Tu, Aug 26, Nannie J Lee Ctr, 6:30-9:30 PM