Author: Chris

I like canoeing, cycling, hiking, running and cross-country skiing
Bicycles, Commuting, Gear, Kitchener, Maintenance, Safety, Waterloo

Introducing. . . Helga III

Chris

I am planning on doing a couple of posts on winter riding. Over the last few years, a lot more information about winter riding has been shared. A few short years ago, it was difficult to find advice on riding through the winter. These posts are based mostly on learning through experience and reflect what I do to get ready to ride through the chilly season. This first post is on the all important steed! All my winter bikes have been named Helga. She was tougher than Hagar, and a bike has to be pretty tough to make it through … Continue reading Introducing. . . Helga III

Bicycles, Community, Kitchener, News, Safety, Vent, Waterloo5 Comments

Special Constable ________, I Shake My Head at Your Ignorance

Chris

(Not All My Posts Will Be about the Police) This past Saturday I was involved in a charity ride called Ride for Refuge.  Ride for Refuge raises money for the displaced, vulnerable and exploited.  There were 864 people doing the ride in Waterloo. Catherine Fife was one of them.  Route distances varied from 10 km to 100 km.  There were a few different routes, so the riders were spread out over north Waterloo and Wilmot Township. I rode the 100 km route with 3 friends. As we were riding east along Hessen Strasse and approaching Moser Young Road, a middle-aged … Continue reading Special Constable ________, I Shake My Head at Your Ignorance

Community, Waterloo6 Comments

My Ride with the Police! (Take 2)

Chris

About three weeks ago, I was riding my bike and was joined by a bicycle cop. We had a nice chat as we biked along side-by-side. I wrote a blog post about it that focussed on pace-lines and riding two-abreast. Last week I had a different sort of ride with the police! I ride along Queen Street in Kitchener to and from work each day. Last Thursday, I was riding past St. Mary’s Hospital on the way home from work. I was riding in the middle of the right lane. A motorcycle and a couple of cars pulled up behind … Continue reading My Ride with the Police! (Take 2)

Bicycles, Community, Commuting6 Comments

My Ride with the Police!

Chris

In the Waterloo Region, we have police officers that ride bicycles around town. I have seen them frequently in the downtown core, but never in out-lying areas. This morning, as I turned right onto Bridgeport Road from Lancaster Street, another cyclist turned left onto Bridgeport, from the other direction on Lancaster Street. The other cyclist rode behind me for a bit, and I didn’t think much about it, until I heard his radio squawk. I turned my head to see a police officer and started chatting with him. I normally ride out in the lane, on multi-lane roads, to increase … Continue reading My Ride with the Police!

Bicycles, Commuting, Gear, Kitchener, Maintenance, review, Security, Waterloo5 Comments

My New Sekine!

Chris

This is my new commuting bike. It is a Canadian made Sekine from the mid to late 1970s. I have been looking for a vintage road bike to use as a commuter. I thought I had one back in the spring. I found a great Peugeot at Recycle Cycle in June. I rushed home and talked my wife into getting it for me, for Father’s Day. Unfortunately, when she got down to Recycle Cycle, it had been sold. I kept checking Recycle Cycle and Kijiji over the summer, but didn’t find anything that interested me. I have many reasons for … Continue reading My New Sekine!

Bicycles, Gear, review, Safety14 Comments

The “Stella” by Light & Motion – Gear Review

Chris

I got this light at the Adventure Guide members’ sale last week. It was regularly priced at $150 and marked down by 40%. I checked the price on MEC’s website. It was also listed at $150. The 40% discount means I paid about $89 for it. However, I had a gift card that my son gave me for Christmas and also had some Adventure Guide bucks saved up. The out of pocket cost to me was about $25. I’m not a fan of spending a lot of money on gear! The light straps to the handlebars and the battery easily … Continue reading The “Stella” by Light & Motion – Gear Review