• Home
  • travel
  • bike
  • eco
  • music
  • film
  • theatre
  • decor
  • GO ON, INDULGE YOUR CURIOSITY AND LEARN ABOUT ME!

loving the ride

~ exploring the world (with a little vélo love)

loving the ride

Tag Archives: winter riding

to bixi, with love

03 Friday Feb 2012

Posted by lovingtheride in bike, gear

≈ Leave a comment

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!

use your knog(gin): ride with a bright bike light

03 Tuesday Jan 2012

Posted by lovingtheride in bike, gear, outdoors

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

b-icicle challenge, bike gear, bike safety, knog, knog bike light, mec, mec bike light, winter riding

It’s true! I can’t help prettifying my boyish ol’ hybrid. I even spoil her with baskets of strawberries picked fresh from the farm (!), but sometimes I skimp on the necessary accoutrements. It’s been a looong time coming, but I’ve finally committed. I used to cheap out on bike lights, but I got wise and now invest in the good gear. Hence, here are my 2 cents for buying bright lights.

1  mec turtle lights are cheap in cost and quality
Yes, I said it. The MEC Turbo Turtle light kinda sucks. Don’t get me wrong. Over the years, I’ve bought way too many Mountain Equipment Co-op (MEC) Turtle lights to count, ’cause, hey, they’re seriously cheap for a bike light ($4.75).

And there’s lots I LOVE about the cheap ‘n’ cheerful Turtle light:
• The three-volt lithium batteries are cheap (50 cents each at MEC; two required).
• They’ve two bright LEDs.
• They take up very little prime handlebar space.
• A wee one can conveniently double as a flashlight in a movie theatre. In fact, I keep one or two permanently attached to the zipper pulls on my daypack for those emergency searches in a dark cinema!
• They’re easy to attach and remove in seconds.

PROBLEM: They pretty much get ruined whenever it rains. Real pain, lemme tell ya. I’ve come to find the Turtle light so useless that I don’t bother to take it off my bike when I lock up outside, because I rationalize that no one will steal my ratty old light. Yet someone recently did.

2  Knog Gekko bike light

Now, I decided to invest in the Knog Gekko bike light after my ol’ Turtle lights were stolen (bike theft is rampant in Toronto!). Because if I’m going to pay more, I’d rather buy one quality bike light instead of quantities of cheap lights. I said pay more, not a lot. Instead of buying yet another tiny Turtle light, I splurged $30 on a hefty Knog Gekko front light, and, boy, am I glad I did.

The Knog Gekko has plenty of perks:
• It’s superbright with three LEDs.
• It has three modes (constant, fast flashing, slow flashing).
• It’s visible up to 600 metres.
• It lasts 220 hours (when flashing; 30 hours when constant).
• It uses two AAA batteries, which are included, though I’ve since switched to rechargeable batteries.
• It has a one-piece silicone casing, which is water resistant. Can you say awesome?
• It’s available as a front light (white LEDs) and rear light (red LEDs); both are shown above.

The Gekko is obviously more expensive than MEC’s humble Turtle light, but it’s well worth the expense because that awesome silicone casing protects the light in a downpour. That means no more buying a new light every time I get caught riding in a rainshower. Saving me a trip to the store is worth more than the additional dollars!

And did I mention how pretty the Gekko is in pink? It comes in four fun colours, plus the more staid black, white and translucent. Now, hurry up and grab both the front and rear lights and shed some light on the road ahead.

__________________________________________________________

good design is pretty + practical!
Now that Toronto finally has snow
and subzero temps, I can tackle
my B-icicle challenge well
equipped with girly gear:
my cute ‘n’ colourful Gekko,
my Public Federico bell…all I’m
missing is my Nutcase Dots helmet.
Soon, very soon.

’cause i love my brain, i want a nutcase helmet

09 Friday Dec 2011

Posted by lovingtheride in bike, fashion, gear

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

b-icicle challenge, bern bike helmet, bike gear, bike safety, girlie bike helmet, girly bike helmet, i love my brain, ladies bike helmet, nutcase dots helmet, nutcase get2 dots helmet, winter bike gear, winter bike helmet, winter riding

i want my head in a nutcase helmet

This Nutcase helmet in particular: the Gen2 Dots. It has pretty polkadots, and the adjustable spin dial in the back makes for a comfy fit. Plus, there’s the anti-pinch magnetic buckle, which is easy to open or close with one hand – even a warm mittened hand, just perfect for winter riding, lest you forget my B-icicle challenge! And did I mention the playful polka-dots? They make the helmet way visible during the day, and night-time drivers should spot (get it?) the reflective logos on the front, back and sides. The colourful array of other Nutcase designs caught my eye when I was buying my dear bell Federico at Cycle Couture, but Dots is The One, and I hope they get it in stock soon.

but i also like me a bern berkley zipmold helmet

Now, because I’m a slave to fashion (not really) and hate riding with a chilly neck and ears (really), I’ve also had my eye on the striking Bern Berkley Zipmold foam helmet in Matte Cyan, with an optional cold-weather knit you can snap into it for winter warmth. I’m getting toasty just thinking about it! Annnd turquoise is my favourite colour. Really, it is! It’s cheerful and looks great against a glowing tan in summer…and pops against the white stuff in winter. I want the Bern Berkley. It’s mine.

__________________________________________________________

Looking for other stylin’ bike gear? Check out…
Girly Gear to Light Up Your Ride
Ring My Bell: Ciao Bello to My Public Bike Bell, Federico! 
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

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!

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.

View Jennifer  Krissilas's profile on LinkedIn

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

Archives

  • December 2012 (2)
  • November 2012 (1)
  • August 2012 (1)
  • July 2012 (3)
  • June 2012 (7)
  • May 2012 (5)
  • April 2012 (2)
  • March 2012 (8)
  • February 2012 (11)
  • January 2012 (14)
  • December 2011 (18)
  • November 2011 (16)

Categories

Enter your email address to follow lovingtheride.com and receive notifications of new posts by email.

email me

jen (at) lovingtheride (dot) com

follow me on twitter

  • Hi @SUANDBU! When is the Bathurst outpost slated to open? I need to know ASAP for a magazine story. Thanks! 5 years ago
  • Hi @DrSheilaSahni! A reminder that if you're able to reply to the Word doc ASAP today (before noon your time), that's best. Thanks! 5 years ago
  • Hi @DrSheilaSahni! Just checking whether you'll be able to respond to that fact-check email by EOD today. Thanks! 5 years ago
  • Hi @DrSheilaSahni! A heads-up that I e'd a fact-check query re: a reprint of this AARP article: bit.ly/2jApnGw 5 years ago
  • Hey @LCPR_! I cannot check email & just want to confirm what you'd told me about Bestival 2017. Can you call or DM me? Thx! 6 years ago
  • Hi @SmytheJackets! Re: the Q&A I just fact-checked w Christie & Andrea thru PR, who's who in this pic? bit.ly/2gJcn1p Thx! 6 years ago
Follow @jenkrissilas
View Jennifer  Krissilas's profile on LinkedIn
January 2023
S M T W T F S
1234567
891011121314
15161718192021
22232425262728
293031  
« Dec    

Meta

  • Register
  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.com

about

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

Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

email me

jen (at) lovingtheride (dot) com
View Jennifer  Krissilas's profile on LinkedIn
© 2011/2012 loving the ride. No part of this blog or its content may be reproduced without prior written permission.

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
  • black out and speak out on july 4, 2012
  • camino albergues: where to stay between ponferrada and triacastela

Categories

  • architecture
  • art
  • baking
  • bike
  • camino
  • crafts
  • dance
  • decor
  • diy
  • eco
  • events
  • fashion
  • film
  • food
  • gear
  • gear
  • great outdoors
  • inspiration
  • music
  • outdoors
  • photography
  • safety
  • spain
  • sports
  • tech
  • theatre
  • travel
  • Uncategorized
  • words

twitter

  • Hi @SUANDBU! When is the Bathurst outpost slated to open? I need to know ASAP for a magazine story. Thanks! 5 years ago
  • Hi @DrSheilaSahni! A reminder that if you're able to reply to the Word doc ASAP today (before noon your time), that's best. Thanks! 5 years ago
  • Hi @DrSheilaSahni! Just checking whether you'll be able to respond to that fact-check email by EOD today. Thanks! 5 years ago
  • Hi @DrSheilaSahni! A heads-up that I e'd a fact-check query re: a reprint of this AARP article: bit.ly/2jApnGw 5 years ago
Follow @jenkrissilas

Blog at WordPress.com.

  • Follow Following
    • loving the ride
    • Join 66 other followers
    • Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
    • loving the ride
    • Customize
    • Follow Following
    • Sign up
    • Log in
    • Report this content
    • View site in Reader
    • Manage subscriptions
    • Collapse this bar
 

Loading Comments...