As the air chills and leaves begin to change, it’s hard to focus on the semester’s upcoming deadlines. While the academic road ahead may seem daunting, students will be happy to know that a change of pace is just a hop, skip and bike ride away. 

Located on East Wiggin Street just west of the Kenyon Farm, the Bike Barn is a bicycle co-op where Kenyon students and community members can gain valuable mechanical experience. Those who need a bike repaired, or who are just looking to learn and volunteer, are welcome at the barn for guidance, tools, parts and conversation. The barn is run by the Office of Community Partnerships and student managers Milo Jones ’26 and David Bonnen ’27.

So far this semester, Jones and Bonnen have been hard at work scrapping the old bikes left on campus by Kenyon graduates. Rather than putting unsafe bikes back on the roads and Middle Path, the Bike Barn recycles used parts. What isn’t recycled is repurposed and salvaged for repairs. Jones and Bonnen predict that the scrapping process will last until the end of September. The purpose is to “make the most of what we have and get as many people on bikes as possible,” Bonnen said, which is a relief to anyone who’s slept through their alarm for an 8 a.m. class or had to make the trek from North to South Campus on foot. 

This year, Jones and Bonnen intend to focus the barn’s efforts on developing mechanic skills, rather than fixing students’ bikes for them. Drop-ins will not start until the scrapping process is complete, but there is ample experience to be gained at every stage. “It’s a great time for people to get involved,” said Bonnen. “[Deconstructing bikes] takes the least initial knowledge but teaches you the most.” 

“It’s cathartic,” Jones echoed.  At the Bike Barn, students get the rare chance to relieve the stress of the school day by listening to music and taking things apart in a safe, supervised environment. 

Once the scrapping process is over, the Bike Barn will resume drop-in hours for people to learn how to repair their own bikes. Jones and Bonnen are focused on developing a volunteer network, and will be holding workshops later in the year for students and the greater Knox County community. Frequent volunteers will even be able to work their way toward earning their very own bike. 

The Bike Barn’s location off campus presents unique opportunities, with Jones and Bonnen hoping to foster a communal space. “We really want to teach people to do this as a community,” Jones said. The collaborative aspect does not end with volunteering, though. Jones and Bonnen are hoping to soon host community bike rides on the network of trails that connect the Kokosing River to the larger Ohio area. This exploration goes beyond the familiarity of the Gap Trail extending through The Lincoln Valley Trail and the Heart of Ohio Trail. These initiatives will create a wealth of opportunities for students to get off the Hill and explore their local surroundings.

Students are encouraged to sign up for the Bike Barn’s upcoming Bike Raffle, where they have a chance to win a brand-new bike. Winner or not, those interested will still find themselves rewarded by the strong sense of community and knowledge at the barn. 

Whether you’re craving mechanic experience, a community, an escape from schoolwork or just a fun place to hang out, take a ride over to the Bike Barn and enjoy everything it has to offer.