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loving the ride

~ exploring the world (with a little vélo love)

loving the ride

Tag Archives: cycling

awesome bike-chain bike stand in kensington market

28 Wednesday Mar 2012

Posted by lovingtheride in bike, gear, photography

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Tags

bike gear, bike safety, biking toronto, canada, cool bike-chain bike stand, cycling, kensington bike stand, kensington market, ontario, toronto

Toronto’s Kensington Market and bikes go hand in hand. Cyclists famously overtake the Market’s one-way streets, casually going in the opposite direction, against traffic. I admit, I’m one of those directionally challenged cyclists who wish cars were banned from the Market.

I champion the idea of moving Kensington beyond Pedestrian Sundays (the last Sunday of the month, from May to October) to making the streets pedestrian-only boulevards every day, even if it meant I couldn’t bike those roads. As it stands, I usually can be found riding south on Augusta, staring down northbound drivers shaking their heads at me.

Yet I’ve never locked my bike to this awesome, artsy bike stand at Augusta and College, in the north end of the Market. Coolest. Bike stand. Ever. Really, the Kensington bike rack tops my beloved City of Toronto post-and-ring bike stands. Not only does it spell out “Kensington,” its namesake neighbourhood, but it also resembles a bike chain!

I mean, a Kensington Market bike-chain bike stand is as cool as a bike-chain grease-mark tattoo. OK, OK, only a bike geek would go gaga over a grease-mark tattoo, but you have to agree that Toronto’s coolest bike stand suits the artsy, crafty, hippy vibe of the hood that has a coffee shop that looks like this when it’s closed:

Kensington Market's Casa Acoreana Cafe, at the corner of Augusta and Baldwin, makes for an artsy backdrop for vintage bikes.

Kensington Market is also a haven for Toronto cyclists because it houses Bikes on Wheels (BOW). The cute boys of BOW are always helpful, whether I’m having problems with my brakes or I need air or those little metal caps that keep the brake cable ends from fraying… It’s no wonder I spontaneously plunked down $53 for the Topeak RaceRocket mini bike pump, when I already had a portable pump and was in the middle of a 120 kilometre ride to Oakville and back. Perhaps I was distracted by the boys, ahem, I mean the boys’ friendliness. Likely I was lured by the high-end but affordable bike gear. I couldn’t help myself. Gear whore, here!

Plus, Kensington is also home to Mike the Bike, a popular source for refurbished bikes, though I’ve never been able to find the storefront on Oxford Street near Spadina Road. Smart guy that Mike presumably is, he posts pics and deets of the bikes on his website, so people like me can find him online!

__________________________________________________________

Bike theft prevention is serious business.

For more on bike safety, check out…
How to Lock Your Bicycle Securely to Prevent Bike Theft
Girly Gear to Light Up Your Ride

Use Your Knog(gin): Ride With a Bright Bike Light 
I Heart My TV Sucks Ride Your Bike Bumper Sticker
‘Cause I Love My Brain, I Want a Nutcase Helmet
Simi Mini Dots Nutcase Helmet Fit for Minnie Mouse
Ring My Bell: Ciao Bello to My Public Bike Bell, Federico! 

to bixi, with love

03 Friday Feb 2012

Posted by lovingtheride in bike, gear

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Tags

bicycle-sharing program, bike share, bixi, bixi montreal, bixi toronto, cost bixi toronto, cycling, montreal, toronto, winter riding

Shhh! Don’t tell her I’ve been cheating. I (sheepishly) admit I’ve been cheating on my hybrid, Trixie, with my bike share, Bixi. She’s cute, no? It’s all because I’ve been derailed from B-icicling by this darn rotator cuff injury (heed my winter riding dos and don’ts). Trixie has sat immobile since I was thrown from it and landed on my shoulder, and I only just got round to cleaning off the salt from that night (bad Jen! salt is the death of a bike). But, alas, Trixie’s handlebar and front wheel are still askew, and I’m not yet pain-free to ride comfortably – or safely.

So to get to or from physio, I’ve taken to hopping on Bixi now and then. And I do love how she handles in this non-winter: fat tires that can get through snow just fine. I’d shelled out $95 for a membership in October 2010 to support the Toronto bike share program that was short the 1,000 subscribers needed to get funding so the wheels could start rolling in May 2011.

A Bixi devotee, I use it whenever I visit Montreal, where it started, but with two bikes of my own, I only use Bixi Toronto maybe once a month, the odd time I’m out without my bike. But I must say, it’s been superconvenient being able to hop on and off it as needed. I just might keep using Bixi once I’m able to ride Trixie – it’s handy having a bike on demand!

the no-excuse winter-riding guide

17 Tuesday Jan 2012

Posted by lovingtheride in bike, gear, outdoors

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

b-icicle challenge, bike gear, bike safety, cycling, merino wool, snow, winter riding

So my B-icicle challenge has hit a snafu. But better the challenge was hit than my being hit, though I was hit, so to speak. This past weekend, I was biking home along a slushy, icy street webbed with streetcar tracks and lined with parked cars. It’s a street I’ve biked regularly at night, but not one I usually take when there’s snow on the ground. Not wanting to get caught in the rightmost streetcar track when passing a stretch of parked cars, I attempted to cross the track so I could ride up the middle of the lane, between the two tracks. But I didn’t cross the track at a 90° angle (I know, I know), and my front wheel suddenly slid straight into the right track and I was immediately thrown from my bike. And as I was lying in the middle of the road – stunned and unable to move due to the sharp pain in my left shoulder, arm and knee – I was seriously hoping that no cars or streetcars were going to motor right into me, and wishing that I’d been wearing my helmet and more reflective gear. Fortunately, there was nary a vehicle (or pedestrian) in sight, save those parked in a lot and on a side street. Two witnesses quickly got out of their cars to ask if I was alright, then came over to help both me and my bike up, and offered me a ride to the hospital or home. Good Samaritans, indeed! So, for my own peace of mind and for you, dear reader, I’m sharing my dos and don’ts for safe winter riding.

DON’T go if there’s snow That applies to ice, too! Your goal is swerve-free cycling. Roads devoid of the slippery stuff make for better traction and stability, so pull into the middle of the lane to avoid curbside snow if you must. Drivers will understand. This also means taking high-traffic roads instead of side streets, as main roads will be cleared first and cleared up to the curb for city buses.

DO steer clear of cracks Did you not read what I wrote above? Beware of the evil trio: streetcar tracks, cracks, potholes. They’re all out to catch your wheel, and your wheel doesn’t want to be caught. Smooth streets make for much smoother sailing, er, cycling. I said smooth, not slick. Avoid ice (see above). And avoid streets lined with streetcar tracks and parked cars (see waaay above).

DO be visible Indeed, fluorescent reflective strips are geeky, but who cares if you’re geeky? You want drivers to see you. Remember: drivers don’t expect to be sharing the road with cyclists in winter. Besides, bike geeks are cute! So put reflective bands on both ankles. Heck, put one on your left wrist so drivers can see when you’re signalling (I wear a battery-operated reflective yellow band that flashes red). And don’t forget your lights – front and back! What’s that? You don’t have lights?! Check out the über-bright Knog Gekko.

DON’T overdress As with runners, cyclists warm up within the first five minutes of activity. The fact that it’s winter doesn’t change that. The key to winter warmth is to wear layers, stay dry and keep your extremities covered. Wear a base layer that wicks sweat away from your skin so you stay dry (avoid cotton and opt for merino wool, bamboo or synthetic). Top that with a thermal layer for warmth. Finish with a breathable jacket (a non-breathable outer layer will trap your sweat and make you cold). SmartWool socks will keep your toes toasty. Icebreaker liner gloves inside actual gloves are great, though I prefer mitts. A scarf is a must, but watch out for foggy glasses! And under my helmet, a synthetic balaclava provides a much-needed shield against the wind but is still breathable, plus it doesn’t impede my vision when I change lanes or turn.

DO maintain your bike This is a no-brainer. Winter road conditions are tricky, so a well-maintained bike is a must. Make sure your brakes are stellar. Wipe your bike down when you get home, as road salt will corrode your bike in no time. Clean your gears and chain every few rides, and don’t forget the wet lube.

DO wear your helmet OK, so this is the real no-brainer. Do you know the postal workers’ creed? “Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds”? Well, neither snow nor rain nor heat should keep you from wearing your helmet. I admit I haven’t worn my helmet since the temps dropped, but I was lucky that my shoulder – not my head – broke my fall. (Thanks to physio, that shoulder is now recovering from a painful injured nerve.) No excuses. Wear. Your. Helmet.

Psst. Over here. Let me tempt you into buying a new helmet. Like polka-dots? Or a warm liner? I’ve got what you’re looking for right here! Lights, too! And even merino tops, both short-sleeve and long-sleeve ones. Nice, right? Now, don’t forget the girly reflective gear, you fashionista, you!

i heart my “tv sucks – ride your bike” bumper sticker

22 Thursday Dec 2011

Posted by lovingtheride in bike, gear, travel

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Tags

bike bumper stickers, bike slogans, bike touring, bloomfield, bloomfield bicycle company, bumper sticker, cycling, cycling prince edward county, funny bike slogans, prince edward county, tv sucks ride your bike

This TV Sucks – Ride Your Bike bumper sticker from the Bloomfield Bicycle Co. has been stuck to my bike since I bought the awesome sticky slogan back in 2009, when I cycled through Bloomfield, Ontario, on the Great Waterfront Trail Adventure, an exciting 8-day supported bike tour along Toronto’s Waterfront Trail, from Niagara, Ontario, to Rivière-Beaudette, Quebec.

I’ve never seen another TV Sucks – Ride Your Bike bumper sticker in Toronto, since Bloomfield is a good 4-hour drive away, though I’ve spotted tons of Bikes on Bloor “protest” bumper stickers plastered on everything from bikes to bikes stands to bike helmets.

So was I ever excited to find another TV Sucks – Ride Your Bike sticker when I went to lock up my bike yesterday! Made by the Bloomfield Bicycle Co., a bike shop in the wee village of Bloomfield, in the picturesque Prince Edward County, the sticker is a mere $1 for the 5-inch bike-size version (the 10-inch car size is $2). The County, as locals call it, is an eastern Ontario hot spot for road cycling and leisure riding alike, with low-traffic country roads overflowing with galleries, wineries, cheese shops, a cidery, a brewery and even a lavender farm. Hence, the popular bike slogan.

Whenever I tour Prince Edward County, I make sure to pop into the Bloomfield Bicycle Co. for their terrific lube (if you bring back your used bottles, they’ll refill them at a discount) and to soothe my soul by checking out their TV Sucks gear, such as the stickers and T-shirts and jerseys. Though I don’t really believe that TV sucks, I do think more people should turn off the boob tube (or computer) and get outside year-round, and I proudly display the slogan to all Torontonians when I lock up my bike in the city.

I’m going to keep my eyes peeled for another sighting!

__________________________________________________________

What: Bloomfield Bicycle Co.‘s TV Sucks – Ride Your Bike bumper sticker
Where: Bloomfield, Ontario, Canada
225 Main St., Bloomfield, Ontario, KOK 1GO; 613-393-1060. A picturesque little village in the lovely Prince Edward County, a cycling, foodie, art lover and wine aficionado’s haven.
When: Prince Edward comes alive with cyclists spring to fall. Many cyclists camp at Sandbanks Provincial Park, about a 12 km ride from Bloomfield.
Cost: Bike version $1 (5 inches); car version $2 (10 inches).
Why: Featuring a catchy slogan for cyclists, the sticker is a popular purchase! 

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Oh! Wouldn’t this helmet be perfect for Ms. Minnie Mouse?

Looking for other stylin’ bike gear? Check out…
Simi Mini Dots Nutcase Bike Helmet Fit for
Minnie Mouse

Girly Gear to Light Up Your Ride

Use Your Knog(gin): Ride with a Bright Bike Light
‘Cause I Love My Brain, I want a Nutcase Helmet
Ring My Bell: Ciao Bello to My Public Bike Bell, Federico! 

b-icicle: bring it on!

07 Wednesday Dec 2011

Posted by lovingtheride in bike

≈ 6 Comments

Tags

b-icicle challenge, beijing, bike share, bike touring, bixi, cycling, duathlon, the distillery, winter riding

I’m always up for a challenge, especially when it’s on my bike. Bike touring? Yup. Duathlon racing? You betcha. Winter riding? Of course! That’s why I’m ringing my beautiful bell in support of the B-icicle challenge. Emily D’Ath and Monica Tan, two Americans living in Beijing, have challenged cyclists around the world to continue riding through winter. They’ve even set up a blog and a Facebook page so you can follow their winter-riding adventures and post your own stories, tips and photos to share with all-season cyclists worldwide.

I love riding too much to put my commuter in storage just because the temperature drops. Sure, there’s the odd time when it’s too icy to be safe, but that’s when Bixi comes to the rescue (I’m lucky to live near a docking station, and Bixi Toronto recently relocated some stations outside the original zone, which will make reaching Little Italy and The Distillery much easier by bike share). And true, there are times when I’ll use public transportation to travel to the suburbs to visit Mom. But for the most part, I’ll be leaving my apartment on bike this winter because riding is a part of me – it feels unnatural to not be clipped in. Even in the middle of a snowstorm!

ring my bell: ciao bello to my public bike bell, federico!

15 Tuesday Nov 2011

Posted by lovingtheride in bike, gear

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Tags

bike bell, bike gear, cycling, federico bell, florence, italy, loud bike bell, public bike, public federico, style

Say hello to Federico! He’s my handsome glossy red brass bell ($20) from San Francisco’s Public Bikes. I spotted my dear Federico at Cycle Couture, a chic new bike shop in Toronto and had to buy him, even though I already have two extra bike bells. Federico is my ideal cycling companion: he’s sexy, he’s stylish, and, better yet, he’s loud.   Meaning, he’s all about safe city riding. That’s what I look for in good gear.

Here’s what Public Bikes says about Federico:

You definitely need a bell for city riding, unless you like to yell or whistle a lot. However, a good bike bell can be hard to find. So when our Italian pal Federico tracked down the manufacturer of this fine brass bell, we named it after him. You’ll appreciate (as well as passersby) the loud but elegantly civil tone, as opposed to the abrasive or tinny tone of most bells. ‘Federico’ is available only at Public, unless you choose to visit him in Florence.

A good-looking Italian…and funny too! Ah, Federico, how I adore you.

__________________________________________________________

This Minnie Mouse-inspired bike helmet is sooo me!

Looking for other stylin’ bike gear? Check out…
Girly Gear to Light Up Your Ride
Simi Mini Dots Nutcase Bike Helmet Fit for
Minnie Mouse

Use Your Knog(gin): Ride with a Bright Bike Light
I Heart My TV Sucks Ride Your Bike Bumper Sticker
‘Cause I Love My Brain, I want a Nutcase Helmet 

jennifer krissilas

A girl, her bike, a wee bit o' wanderlust...a lust for life in general. And all things pretty. We can't forget the pretty.

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Oh, the outdoor adventuress. Exploring the world (with a little vélo love). Disguised as a freelance editor. Just a girl, her bike, a wee bit o' wanderlust...a lust for life in general. And all things pretty. We can't forget the pretty. Or the sweets. xoxo jen

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Recent Posts

  • happy new year to all, and to all a good (and safe) night!
  • christmas carollers bring festive cheer to toronto
  • remembrance day: lest we forget
  • TIFF in the park brings classic screwball comedies to toronto all summer long
  • toronto port authority’s sail-in cinema returns, august 16-18, 2012
  • comfy, custom-fit wolverine ics hiking shoes
  • alexi murdoch turns up the heat in toronto
  • it wouldn’t be canada if we didn’t have to stop for geese crossing the road
  • and this is why i dislike the MMVAs
  • toronto’s open roof film festival heralds the start of summer
  • world naked bike ride day: toronto cyclists bare all for the environment
  • luminato celebrates creativity in toronto and the world
  • i heart: “this bike is my car” bike bell
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