Pedal and Coast

For All Those Budding Red Barons

2011-04-04T12:19:00.004-05:00

I've never met Thomas Herrington, but he seems to have a cool sense of humour. I found his bike trailer on Instructables; I want one, even tho' I don't have kids. You can find the instructions and more cool pictures here. http://www.instructables.com/id/Red-Baron-Childs-Bicycle-Trailer/

It Is Like a Stable

2011-03-30T06:55:00.006-05:00

The Geek has been spending much time in the garage working on doors for the kitchen cabinets. In the process, she has created a great deal of sawdust. She had no inclination to sweep up the dust because it provideds traction on the mini skating rink the garage floor has become. Eselin is standing on a mini mountain since I pried her out of the ice. I'll wait to dust her off until I'm ready to go somewhere. We'll have to deal with the sawdust slurry at at later date.

It Has Been A Long Winter

2011-03-26T20:35:00.008-05:00

While the back lanes vary from water-filled potholes to
downright impassable for two wheeled vehicles,
the streets themselves are largely clear.
All these details are moot since Eselin is frozen in the huge puddle on the floor in the garage.Soon!

Left Behind

2011-01-15T21:41:00.004-06:00

These bikes have been sitting at the University for while. The green one even longer than the red.
Eselin and Rabbit have not left the garage at all since the snow came, but at least they're dry. I'm waiting for motivation, or spring, which ever comes first.

Slow Going

2010-11-25T20:56:00.004-06:00

We've had snow for the last few days and the streets are heavy with 'mashed potato' (according to one radio station) type snow.Our bikes have been tucked away in the garage for a few days now, but some people are still out on two wheels.

Google Maps Bike Routes Coming to the 'Peg

2010-11-23T10:41:00.003-06:00

Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION

City bike routes going on Google next week

By: Adam Wazny

Posted: 23/11/2010 1:00 AM | Comments: 9

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KEN GIGLIOTTI / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Enlarge Image

Google Maps will soon let the city's hardy bicycle riders find bike routes buried under the snow. / NOV. 22 2010 ��v��v?��v� Stdup Winter has arrived and cycling season will be over for most bike riders . In pic several bicycles were still locked in place on Sherbrook St at Wolseley Ave on Monday morning with more snow coming

The snow and ice suggest otherwise, but life for the Winnipeg cyclist just became a little easier.

In an announcement at the Sustainable Mobility Conference in Ottawa Monday, Internet search engine giant Google has added Winnipeg to its list of Canadian cities that will have bike routes available online for those looking for the best path to take on two wheels.

Related Items

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- City tab for bike, pedestrian upgrades climbs by $3M

With Google Bike Directions, scheduled to be added to Google Maps during the next week, users can pore over city-fed bike maps using the popular web atlas to chart a course for their daily commute.

Comprehensive maps of various bike routes and paths are already available on the city's website, but Winnipeg Trails Association director Janice Lukes was thrilled to find out Google has added the city to its new mapping feature.

"We have all this new infrastructure and many people don't know where it is," she said. "This will encourage those who are looking to get out on the weekends or do a little riding after work."

What has the cycling community excited about the Google Maps addition is the reach it will have to those contemplating ditching their vehicle for a bike.

Jeff Martin, owner of Alter Ego Sports, feels the undecided might finally decide to switch to a two-wheeler permanently, thanks to Google Maps. Not every trail or dedicated bike lane is visible from behind the wheel, he notes, so not everyone is up to speed with the layout of the city's active transportation framework.

"For the serious cyclist, they're going to ride their bikes regardless," he said. "But for the inexperienced rider, this will show them they can get from point A to point B in a safe way, especially for winter riding."

Google Bike Directions works like this: A click on the bicycle icon shows a dark green line indicating a bike-only path. A lighter green line signals a dedicated bike lane and a dotted line shows a city street that doesn't have a dedicated bike lane, but could still be suitable for riding.

The city planned to spend $20.4 million dollars on 36 bike-and-pedestrian projects under a federal stimulus program this year. Cold weather cut six of those projects short, with completion scheduled for 2011.

Ottawa, Toronto, Edmonton, Vancouver, Calgary, Gatineau and Waterloo are the other Canadian cities involved in Google's announcement. Bike-trail data for U.S. markets was added to Google Maps earlier this year.

adam.wazny@freepress.mb.ca

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition November 23, 2010 A5

Space to Spare

2010-11-18T05:04:00.004-06:00

There was a skiff of snow this morning and I found very few bicycles in the lockup. Winter is on its way.

More Traction

2010-11-12T19:24:00.008-06:00

Amazingly enough, we have no snow yet, but the streets were wet and frosty earlier today. The Geek thought it was time to put snow tires on her bike. She rode last winter on non-studded tires but she bought these Schwalbe studded tires this year to make life easier.
The highly reflective edges are a bonus.

Touch Wood

2010-11-09T05:15:00.004-06:00

We have had lovely weather the last few days. Very warm for November.

And more than warm enough to wear a skirt and sweater, no jacket.
I hope it lasts

Bikes at the Dump

2010-10-24T17:14:00.007-05:00

The Geek took a load of old fence to the dump and saw that the collection cage for the Bike Dump was almost full.

It is so nice to see that people aren't just throwing out useful items anymore. Well, bikes anyway. There is still much waste to be seen in the dump proper. No wonder the administration doesn't want you taking pictures.

Hard to Find a Picnic

2010-10-17T15:39:00.004-05:00

This cute little bike was hanging out in the locker room at the rowing club. I have no idea who owns it, as it is often there when we (who don't own it) are the only ones in the building.
I've never seen a bike like it before.
When I checked online, the only bikes I could find with that name were folding bikes, and this one is not.
It has seen use, but is still in good condition.
Internal hub gears are wonderful for salty roads.
I'd like to meet the owner.

Good Start to Thanksgiving Weekend

2010-10-08T12:59:00.004-05:00

This is what I wore to ride to school...
...and this is what I wore to ride home.
The weather is beautiful. It is odd not to have a killer frost yet. And Thanksgiving is only a couple of days away!

Mmmmm, Pumpkin

2010-10-07T21:41:00.007-05:00

My mom said she was out of pumpkin. She had enough to make pies for Thanksgiving, but then her frozen stash was depleted. My sister, who usually has tons of pumpkins, had a major crop failure this year, so I stopped at the corner store and picked one up.

I wasn't able to strap it to the rack; I was afraid Eselin's big elastic bands would cut the little beast in half, so I put the pumpkin on the rack and walked home with one had on the handlebars and one on the pumpkin.
One must do what one can to ensure pies for next year!

A Matter of Perception

2010-10-04T20:14:00.005-05:00

A few weeks ago, as an assignment for school, I had to spend a day in a wheelchair.
I considered taking Eselin to school and leaving her overnight in the lockup, but I was worried something would happen to her. So she stayed home and I took the bus.
Funny thing is, I had a wretched cold a few days later and I was ready to leave Eselin behind so I didn't have to spend valuable energy riding back to the house.
Amazing when I think she would be safe, and when I don't.

A New Source for Bike Parts

2010-09-18T20:55:00.008-05:00

We took a canoe trip down the Seine River this afternoon. In addition to rocks and trees blocking the stream, there were, in places, an alarming number of bicycles and shopping carts.

The Geek fished one smaller one out of the river.
These are probably stolen bikes but the police don't have the time or the resources to be dredging the river to find them. And if they are insured, they have undoubtedly been replaced.
It now is hanging in the garage until we decide what to do with it.

Motorcycles

2010-09-14T06:54:00.003-05:00

I learned yesterday that, in start-and-stop or slow moving traffic, a motorcycle can be a cyclists best friend.
A motorcycle rider caught up to me yesterday morning on St Mary's shortly after the three lanes merged to two. I managed to keep pace with him all the way to the diamond lanes and while he was guarding his lane, he was also guarding me. This was probably the most serene ride I have had on that stretch of road; the only thing I really had to watch for was potholes. I have no idea if that fellow knew what a favour he was doing me, but I'm going to have to try to find another motorcycle today.

And I Missed It!

2010-09-13T20:02:00.001-05:00

Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION

Trade shorts for knickerbockers

By: Carolin Vesely

Steven Stothers and Joan Padgett will take a jaunt back in time for the endearingly old-fashioned Tweed Ride, which coincides with Ciclovia on Sunday. (DAVID LIPNOWSKI / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS)

Cyclists have long known the importance of wearing proper attire when putting the pedal to the mettle.

"If you have a wheel, gentlemen, you need a Bicycle Suit," reads an advertisement from a popular Winnipeg retailer. "You need it because it is proper to be becomingly and fashionably attired, but chiefly because it will greatly add to your comfort while riding."

The days of $5 Hudson's Bay bicycle suits may be long gone, but a day of very stylish, old-fashioned bicycling is just up ahead.

Don some classic woollen duds and pack your parasols, ladies: Winnipeg's first-ever Tweed Ride takes place Sunday, and that means we're going to pedal like it's 1899.

A tweed ride/run is when hundreds of impeccably dressed ladies and gents wheel across town on vintage and vintage-inspired bicycles because, well, it's jolly good fun.

London reportedly had the world's first tweed ride in January of 2009, when 150 dapper cyclists pedalled from Savile Row to Bethnal Green. San Francisco, Chicago, Washington, Sydney and other major cities have since followed suit.

The chap in charge of Winnipeg's inaugural event is Steven Stothers, 48, a software manager and cycling enthusiast who also likes "history and old things," and who decided it was high time we all went for a slow ride.

"In this fast-paced world of Spandex and Lycra, it just seemed like a kind of goofy and traditional thing to do," says Stothers, who writes a dandy blog on the subject at www. winnipegtweedride.blogspot.com.

The 10-kilometre ride will sally forth from Assiniboine Park Pavilion at 2 p.m. sharp (come early to hear some old-time banjo tunes) and conclude at 6 p.m. with libations at the King's Head Pub.

Tweed riders are encouraged to pack a snack for a scheduled stop at Memorial Park, which will also include a croquet game. Popping into the Fort Garry Hotel for tea is another option.

The Tweed ride coincides with Ciclovia, the city's second annual bike-and-pedestrian festival, but is not officially part of it, Stothers says.

He invites riders to meet at the replica streetcar on Broadway at around 4 p.m. to pose for group and individual photos, which will be included in a Tweed Ride photo gallery to commemorate the outing.

As for what to wear, leave the fleece and stretchy shorts at home and opt for such fashionable (circa early 1900s) attire as newsboy caps, vests, knickers, pantaloons, cardigans and bow ties. Pipes, monocles, mutton-chop sideburns and handlebar moustaches are also a nice touch. Ladies will look sweet upon their bike seats in full-length skirts, high-necked blouses and flapper-style hats, perhaps twirling a parasol.

Vintage clothing stores and second-hand shops are your best resources. Visit Stothers' blog for inspiration. It has links to photo archives that show what free-wheeling SSRqPeggers wore back in the day. (Yes, bike helmets tend to clash with tweed, but safety first. Don't be a rapscallion.)

If you don't have a vintage bike, weave some colourful streamers through your spokes.

"It just has to look like a period piece; it doesn't have to be a period piece, says Stothers.

"But if someone could bring a penny farthing bike, that'd be awesome."

carolin.vesely@freepress.mb.ca

EVENT PREVIEW

Tweed Ride

Starts at Assiniboine Park Pavilion

Sunday, 2 p.m.

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition September 11, 2010 C6

Rod Ends

2010-09-12T07:42:00.007-05:00

Ruzter and K were in town last weekend. Ruzter told the Geek he had used rod ends from Princess Auto on his cargo bike and the mechanism worked well. The Geek bought the rod ends on Friday and installed them yesterday. The bike is much less wobbly now and the steering is much smoother.
I tried to upload an exciting video about how well the front wheel now moves, but blogger wouldn't capture it today. Ah well. It was riveting. It may have spoiled you for all other movies, so it is probably for the best.

Silent as a Ghost

2010-09-11T12:17:00.002-05:00

Is the way Anders put it. Eselin had to go into the hospital aka NaturalCycle for a tune up. Her chaincase was making an awful lot of sqeeky noises.
I'm glad she is better. It takes too long to get to school on the bus.

Elm Tree Express

2010-08-24T16:29:00.004-05:00

I was happy to discover that a six-inch plastic flower pot fits perfectly between the rack tubes on my bike. It is much easier to drop the pot into the rack than trying to strap a pot to the rack.
Hopefully these elm trees will be happy in their new home.

Windy Errands

2010-08-23T15:16:00.009-05:00

I had to go to the University today to finalize a few things. Tho' it was rather windy, most of my ride was sheltered, especially under the St Vital Bridge.
I can't say the same about riding over it, but luckily I wasn't tossed around for long.

West of the bridge, you have a few options. The panoramic view on my camera makes it look a little strange, but this path actually goes straight.

Glengarry Park, adjacent to the UofM Fort Garry campus, is a study in 1950s architechture.

Even tho' classes haven't started, there are plenty of people here already.
I like the older, classic buildings on campus ,

much more than the newer ones.

The ride to the Fort Garry campus takes just as long as riding to the Bannatyne campus, but is infinitely more pleasant. Too bad I don't have a choice.

The First Delivery

2010-08-22T21:03:00.008-05:00

We took a pail of honey and the side rail of a crib (they are going to use the side to make a drying rack) to some friends. They sat nicely on the platform but the Geek had to drill some holes to attach the bungee-cords.
Now all the Geek has to do is replace the wood with some metal mesh so there are more places to hook the bungee cords when transporting cargo, add some gears for heavy loads, and tune up the brakes. Then we are ready to go-all we'll need is a purpose.

Testing Capacity

2010-08-21T19:56:00.006-05:00

It took awhile for someone to come along willing to be a passenger on the cargo bike.
My brother-in-law J volunteered one afternoon while I was out with my sister.

The bike handles much better with his 190 pounds then it does with the lighter weight of my nephews.

Two Good Signs

2010-08-19T21:25:00.005-05:00

The construction on Jubilee continues; one can actually see progress, tho' it is still irritating to be a cyclist there right now.
Riverside Drive is closed to cars, but I liked this sign. I guess the city has realized that bicycles to not do that much damage to the roads, nor make much noise to irritate the residents.

It also looks like construction will start soon on the shared-use pathway on the south side of Jubilee. Personally, I have been using the sidewalk in that manner off-and-on since the overpass renewals started, so I will be thrilled when it is 'legal'.
Too bad this won't be my route to work much longer.

Safe Parking

2010-08-11T19:58:00.002-05:00

I asked the Geek the other day how I would go about getting a spot in the Health Sciences Centre bike lock-up where she keeps her bike. She advised me that her lock-up is for HSC employees only but she was sure that the University had its own compound. She was right.
Here is the email she sent me,

"University of Manitoba Bannatyne bike compound
The university of Manitoba has a fenced in bike compound just west of the Dentistry building. Access to the compound can be added to the ID card of U of M students or employees. See the Mail Room at S013 Medical Services Building to set up access. Contact the Mail Room at 789-3583 for more info."

I'll be heading over there tomorrow!

A Modern Penny Farthing

2010-08-09T07:03:00.007-05:00

I went to visit Gooch's at their new location. It is much larger than the old one and the hobby section is now on the same floor as the bicycles.

In the entry way they displayed these two modern penny farthings, made by Ridable Bicycle Replicas.
They are rather elegant looking machines. Someday I may ask if I can take one for a spin.

Re-Enforcement

2010-08-07T19:34:00.008-05:00

After mulling over the details, the Geek added another piece of angle iron to one existing pieces to form a square.
Here we see it looking down the long edge.
This has made the bike much more stable.A bit of orange paint for visibility, and we are ready for a load bearing demonstration.

New Panniers

2010-07-29T09:40:00.008-05:00

I have a shot of Eselin with the Cherry Pine pannier. I will do a review soon.

Bling!

2010-07-28T20:11:00.007-05:00

The Cherry Pine Pannier, my prize in Trisha & Dottie's Summer Games, has arrived. I'm thrilled!
It is a lovely brown colour (I was expecting something pinkish given the name) and it has a lovely scent, tho' I don't know if it is intentional. And much bigger than I was expecting.
Tomorrow I get to try it out!
And the Geek, who is on the quest for a new helmet, picked up these socks from Mountain Equipment Co-op. They are so cute. The ones with the daisy wheels are mine!
Some people laugh at my love of wool socks, even in the summer, but it has to be pretty warm before my feet stop being cold.
Fun, fun, fun.

I'm Noticing a Trend

2010-07-23T12:30:00.009-05:00

A few years ago, most people riding bicycles, including me, were on mountain bikes. Given Winnipeg's rather...interesting...streets, they seemed like a very good choice. And I enjoyed off-roading and playing in the mud as well. My knees liked the geometry of a mountain bike while increasingly, my neck did not. So, while I can still think when my knees hurt, I am totally bazooey when my neck hurts. Enter Eselin.

While perambulating about the neighbourhood on my lunch hour the last couple of days, I noticed that there is a shift happening. While it may well be that I am ambling around the granola parts of town, there are many more classic bikes than mountain bikes.

What do you think?

The Cargo Bike Part 2

2010-07-19T20:08:00.002-05:00

Yesterday the Geek put on the steering attachment and the platform base. The bike, however, has a great deal of flex. A great deal too much.She is now mulling over the situation and hoping for inspiration.

Under a Sunny, Blue Sky

2010-07-18T16:40:00.012-05:00

Last summer, I took an up-close look, for the first time, of the Bishop Grandin Greenway when I rode it to explore the Bois-des-Esprit.
The Greenway runs under the hydro lines along Bishop Grandin Boulevard in south Winnipeg and provides a good east/west route separate from cars.
Today I found I was missing the key ingredients for supper and I took the long way around to the grocery store to avoid the Sunday drivers.
A small portion of the trail runs through a treed area,
but for the most part it is prairie.
You can't enjoy the sky and imagine shapes in the clouds if you are riding in traffic.
And as an additional bonus, this ride counts toward Trisha and Dottie's Summer Games.

I have it good!

The Cargo Bike Part 1

2010-07-17T17:02:00.011-05:00

Today at a garage sale we found the last piece needed for the Geek's planned cargo bike. She found the other bike during Free Giveaway Weekend and the angle iron was rescued on garbage eve a few weeks ago.
The Geek had a wonderful day of tool therapy cutting things apart,
welding them back together,
and grinding off the rough spots.
She progressed to this point before supper, when she came in and checked her plans based loosely on this site.

And she is still playing outside now. It may well be finished by tomorrow.

I Love Loop Frames

2010-07-15T17:07:00.006-05:00

I'm stopped at a red light, right foot on raised right pedal. The light changes and traffic starts to move. I push slightly with my left foot while pushing down with the right, lifting myself into the saddle. Suddenly the car in front of me swerves to the right and stops in my path. I twist the handlebars sharply to my right to avoid his bumper.
I am always amazed at how fast thoughts race through my mind. Urk! Uh oh. Going over!! (**anticipated pain**) Get your foot down....and then I am standing on both feet on the sidewalk. I drag Eselin up after me and breathe a sigh of relief. My left foot on the then raised left pedal has just followed the rest of me through the frame.
Having experienced similar events on a diamond frame, I know that had I been riding a similar bike this afternoon I would have fallen and, at best, had road rash. I'm so glad there will be no scrubbing of wounds with antiseptic today.

Il Pleut!

2010-07-05T17:50:00.008-05:00

The sky had been growing ever darker in the west but no rain had started when I left work.
A few drops fell as I headed south, but thankfully nothing major.

At the corner of Staffor and Taylor, the wind suddenly came up -it almost blew me off the bike. Dirt and trash blew everywhere, including my sandals. As I was crossing Pembina, the rain started, turning the dirt in my shoes instantly into mud. I hurried into the Jubilee underpass to waited out the worst of the storm, but the wind drove the rain everywhere and there was very little dry space to be found.
After about 15 minutes, the wind had died down slightly, and I gave up the quesionable dryness of the underpass to continue home. I thought it was better to get wet from the rain than the splashing from any puddles which were increasing in size.
By the time I reached St Vital, the rain had slowed to 'steady' from 'deluge' but once you are wet, you are wet.
I went straight downstairs and threw all my clothes in the wash- thankfully I had a white load that needed attention- and the sandals and I went immediately into the shower. Their was an amazing amount of mud in those shoes -and on me. The white clothes are white again too!
If that is the worst that ever happens to me, I am doing well.

Happiness is a Red Bike

2010-07-02T21:49:00.009-05:00

The nephews and their parents dropped in this evening.

The red chopper has been hanging in the garage for a few weeks now, and N2 was thrilled to be able to finally take it for a ride.

He was thrilled, but was more than willing to share and allow N3 to have a turn (so sad not to have a picture of a three year old trying a chopper0.
The bike was loaded up for the trip home and my sister hopes this will encourage him to ride more. He really is not keen on his bicycle at home.

Let the smiles continue.

LATE NOTE: Sister C called July 5 to report that while all three boys are quite taken with the chopper, and take turns riding it, N2 is especially proud because it is his.

Happy Canada Day

2010-07-01T19:04:00.004-05:00

We were in town for Canada Day this year and we did the rounds of Winnipeg's three main Canada events this afternoon.
Eselin and the Geek's bikes sport Canadian flags to keep the spirit.
I have never seen so many bikes at The Forks. I guess if you have to pay $5 for 'parking' to even enter the area from any street encouraged people to arrive by bicycle.
Osborne Street was also closed to traffic and here bike parking was at a premium. People space was also at a premium, so we didn't stay long.
As we continued on toward Assiniboine Park, Wellington Crescent, the most direct route, was also closed to vehicle traffic, as it is on Sundays and all statutory holidays that fall in the summer months.
And because we are such a melting pot of nationalities, we stopped for sushi on the way home.
Happy Birthday Canada!

Take The Long Way Home

2010-06-30T16:52:00.011-05:00

I wonder how many people, upon seeing the title of this post, will automatically have the Supertramp song playing in their head?

I had a meeting downtown and when I left the building a strong gust of wind almost took my helmet off my head-and I had done up the straps. I decided to avoid Portage and Main, reportedly Canada's windiest intersection, in favour of a route through St. Boniface.

My ride took me past the construction site of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights. I am all for human rights. Building a museum dedicated to the cause is fine by me too. What I object to is the monstrosity of a white elephant that is going up here. (You can see the artists conception of its exterior on the main page of the link provided.) It is supposedly going to cost millions of taxpayer dollars every year for upkeep alone. The idea makes my blood boil. I can't help but think about how much housing you can provide for homeless people for that amount. How about providing meal programs at schools and drop-in programs for disadvantaged and at-risk children? Improved access to care for those with mental health issues? The list goes on, but I shan't, since this is supposed to be celebrating Summer Games. (Deep cleansing breath.)
On to the Esplanade Riel. When the Provencher Bridge was re-built, the city had a contest to name the pedestrain portion and someone came up with Esplanade. It was adopted, amazingly enough, with very little fuss from the populace at large. Quite an amazing feat for this city. I think it is a cool name and it suits it well.After I left the bridge I turned onto Tache and cycled past St. Boniface Cathedral. Many people remember the night it caught fire and burned to the stone walls, and are still saddened by it.
The rest of my ride meandered through old neighbourhoods, down streets with names like Eugenie, DesMeurons, and Vivian before connecting again with St Mary's Road for the last leg home. And mosquitoes can't land you when you are creating your own breeze!

We Don't Often See Your Type Here!

2010-06-29T17:49:00.005-05:00

This woman rode by my office this afternoon. The skirt guards caught my eye-not many bikes around here have them. And it has what looks like a full chain case too. The handlebars are not the type used on beach cruisers, and she has a basket. In-hub gearing. I couldn't see the brand of bicycle; there isn't enough contrast between the print and the paint colour. Hmmmm. I am intrigued. I hope I see her again so I can ask talk to her. We riders of proper lady bicycles need to get to know each other.

Why Would I Drive?

2010-06-28T17:42:00.008-05:00

We are well into construction season in Winnipeg. The Jubilee overpass has been closed for about six weeks now while they rehabilitate it (that makes it sounds like it committed a major crime). And sometime over the last week, they have reduced traffic on Jubilee itself to one lane in each direction.

Cars are backed up both ways because of equipment moving around, and, well, because of the lane closures. I just scoot by (illegally, on the sidewalk, but I am pretending it is the mixed-use path they are promising for later this year) while the cars crawl along. One of my co-workers said it took her 45 minutes to travel two blocks. I do not have the tolerance for that kind of nonsense, but it takes all kinds to make a world. And I repeat that, and other cautionary advice, to myself constantly.

This is my fourth attempt at a panoramic shot of the mayhem, and even it is not optimal. The wind kept jostling me so I figured this one would do.
And this is a view from the other side of the street.
This is supposed to last until sometime in September. I wonder if anyone will become a different type of commuter because of it? I can only hope.

A Different Type Of Bike

2010-06-25T19:12:00.012-05:00

I have ridden many types of bicycles in my life- Canadian bikes all- but I have never ridden an Icelandic bicycle. (I guess this means I have another entry for Dottie and Trisha's Summer Games!)We signed up for a tour of Reykjavik with Reykjavik Bike Tours and I was tickled to find that they also name their bikes.: good Icelandic names like Helga, Kristjan, Guðmunder, and Magnus.
Kristen and Sigriður are common names in my grandmother's family tree and Sigriður was my ride for our tour.
The guide, Stefan, was very knowledgable about the history of Iceland as well as the current political and financial situation and we heard many amusing stories.
There were only three of us on the tour, a very pleasant young man from Boston, and the Geek and I.
Despite the fact it was the one rainy evening on our visit, we had a very good time.
At the end of the ride, we adjourned to a nearby cafe for some wonderfully hot lobster soup. Fully warmed, we walked back to our guesthouse with a greater understanding of the city.

Reykjavik Bike Culture

2010-06-23T16:03:00.011-05:00

Reykjavik is trying hard to make itself a bike-friendly city. Sharrow are used in many places, and their frequency increases on places like corners and right hand turns where the lanes split to remind you a cyclist may be present.

Bicycles are rarely locked to anything. A cable lock through a wheel so they can't just be ridden off is the norm. Bicycle in private yards don't seem to be locked at all.
Many bikes have front baskets, or child seats, or both.
And some are just pretty.

Very Determined

2010-06-22T03:31:00.006-05:00

We saw many cyclists riding the Ring Road in Iceland. Most bicycles were loaded with front and rear panniers and packs on the rear rack. I have no idea if their goal was to ride the entire ring road, or if they each had a separate destination in mind.
We also saw one unicyclist as he walked his bike up a 10% grade, near Vik I think, but I was too slow to photograph him, or notice many details. We saw him again the next day as we returned to Reykjavik. He was a little further down the road and cars thankfully were giving him a wide berth as he wobbled along with a full pack on his back. Alas, still no picture, but you have to admire his spunk. This road would be challenging enough on two wheels, never mind one.

No Black in Canada

2010-06-19T09:02:00.003-05:00

Eselin, on the shores of Lake Backlane, models her new Basil Basonyl panniers. I ordered them in black, but apparently Fourth Floor cannot find a black set anywhere in Canada, so Anders at Naturalcycle asked if another colour would do. I said anything but white would be fine. He did a good job at the second choice as these ones are very understated and suit Eselin quite nicely.
A performance review will have to wait until the second coat of paint on her racks has fully cured.

A Donkey in the Basement

2010-06-18T19:56:00.017-05:00

I grew up on a farm and my parents had some pretty strict rules about who was allowed in the house; people were inside and animals were outside. Not to say that rule couldn't be broken; there were times on a cold winter morning we would wake to the sound of a calf bawling in the basement. The poor little creature would have been born in a snowbank and my dad would have carried it, half frozen, into the basement to thaw out. We were thrilled to be able to go and pet it without worrying about the mother interfering.I was thinking about this earlier today as I contemplated taking Eselin into the basement to escape the mosquitoes while I touched up the paint on her rack. As I child it only seemed natural that my dad could carry a calf. A calf is so much smaller than a cow. It is only now, looking back 40 years, to realize how tough that must have been. My father is not a large man. He is probably 5'9" and I doubt at that time he weighed more than 160 pounds. Calves are not that small, and while he undoubtedly put it in a wheelbarrow for most of the trek, he still had to wrestle a wriggling, long-legged, 120+ pound animal through a set of doors and down a flight of stairs. And he didn't wake us once. Taking Eselin down these stairs would have been a walk in the park.
In the end, the bolood-suckers were not to bad (I guess they can't fly in the rain) so I just did my repairs in the garage.
The panniers I have been using are meant for a rack made of smaller gauge metal and the metal hooks have made a mess of the paint. The new panniers I order from Naturalcycle a couple of months ago have arrived. Plus I was extremely lucky and I am awaiting the pannier I won in Trisha and Dotties' Summer Games, so now I can fix this damage since it won't continue to happen
I took some fine grit sandpaper and roughed off the surface.
Then removed the dust with a rag so I could paint.
Luckily no rust had started yet, but this was the best black gloss paint I could think of.
I will have to do another coat tomorrow morning.
The original paint is much thicker than the rust paint, but already this makes a huge difference.

Bike Trellis

2010-06-15T06:20:00.005-05:00

The Geek picked up this bike during the free giveaway weekend as part of the future cargo bike.
One of the neighbour's vines apparently likes it too.
We are going to need a set of pruners to get this fella' loose again.
A very good anti-theft device indeed!

The Fast, Red, Chopper

2010-06-13T18:00:00.009-05:00

The paint has cured enough for the Geek to put together N2's chopper.

One of the original tires was white as was the seat; the handgrips were pink. The Geek, self-appointed Chief Constable of the Fashion Police, was not at all pleased with the colour combination. So, we went to Canadian Tire and bought a new tire and handgrips, and she recovered the seat with some black pleather from the sewing room. She couldn't do anything about the pedal colour as all the black pedals in her stash were adult pedals and they are threaded differently than childrens' pedals.

She felt the bike needed a head badge, so she added this goalie. N2 loves hockey.
The final handlebar adjustment will have to wait until he tries it for the first time.

Now that all the boys have 'new' bicycles, we shall have to see if Miss S is interested. I wonder if she would like a modified Penny-Farthing? I think that would be cool.

Marigolds

2010-06-09T06:01:00.020-05:00

Rarely am I away on my bike without carrying something. Be it my work stuff or gym stuff or school stuff, or sometimes a combination of the above, there is usually something on the rack or in my panniers. I have even taken a rhubarb plant to a co-worker, but this is the first time I have carried flowers..

I went at noon yesterday to the nearby greenhouse and picked up some marigolds to keep 'undesirables' away from my plants. I put the rather flimsy pot in a cardboard box so I could strap it to the rack, and pedalled home.

Sadly, the skies were cloudy and the forecast was for rain.

Eselin stands beside some puddles left over from the last rain while I untie the box. The flowers happily survived the ride home.And this is how the lane looked this morning after another 10mm of rain.I'm afraid it will be a damp summer, but I'll still have fun!

Have You Lost A Bike in Winnpeg?

2010-06-08T10:04:00.007-05:00

I found this article in today's Winnipeg Free Press. It is nice to see people get involved. It is even better to see people get involved and not get hurt.
His shop is not too far from where I work. If I ever buy any jewellery, I should buy it from him.

Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION
He rescued bike, seeks owner
Man chased down brazen thief, wants Peugeot to go home
By: Gabrielle Giroday 8/06/2010 1:00 AM |

Marty Halprin holds the post, from which the bike was stolen, showing it’s still easily removed. (PHIL.HOSSACK@FREEPRESS.MB.CA)

IT'S a Cinderella story complete with a knight in a pickup truck, except Marty Halprin isn't looking for the owner of a lost shoe.
Instead, the jewelry store owner is looking for the Winnipeg woman with the key that fits the lock on a turquoise Peugeot bike he rescued from a thief Friday morning.
The Celia's Jewellery owner was in his truck at the corner of Smith Street and York Avenue about 11 a.m. when he saw a man about 30 years old knock over a steel pole on the north side of York. The thief then dragged away a 10-speed bike that had been chained to the pole.
That's when Halprin pulled up alongside.
"I couldn't believe what I was seeing," said Halprin, 59, an avid biker who's cycled for over four decades and isn't shy about calling himself a rabble-rouser.
The man dropped the bike and took off on foot after Halprin gestured he was going to get out his truck.
"I guess he didn't want to get involved with me and he was having trouble with the bike, so he just left," he said.
Halprin then put the bike in the back of his truck and took it home for safekeeping.
"Whoever (the bike owner) is obviously had to walk home from wherever she worked. I'd sure like to meet her, find her, and give her her bike back."
The Peugeot's about 20 to 25 years old and still has a cable locking its front wheel and frame together. Its fender was twisted like "spaghetti" after the attempted theft.
"He just figured that (he had) every right to take this bike," he said.
He's confident he'll know he has the rightful owner when he finds the woman whose key fits into the lock.
A sign Halprin put near the intersection with his name and number -- as well as information about the theft -- has so far gone unanswered.
Halprin said he's shocked the thief tried such a brazen theft in the middle of busy downtown, and that people nearby didn't intervene.
"I know how sick it feels to go to where your bike was and it's gone," he said. "It's a sick feeling."
gabriellegiroday@freepress.mb.ca

Well Read Cyclists

2010-06-07T20:09:00.004-05:00

I love bookstores. I love small, independent bookstores even more.There are two such stores in Winnipeg where I try to make all of my book purchases. Luckily for me, they are both minutes from where I work and I often pop in to browse on my lunch hour.

Whodunit deals only in mysteries. They are located in a little shop on Lilac Street, a mere five minute walk away. McNallyRobinson is in the Grant Park Mall, a five minute ride on my bike. Good thing books aren't crack-my addiction would be entirely too easy to fuel.McNally's has quite a few of these really cute bike racks, and often many of them are in use.
The inside of the store is furnished in a way that encourages lingering; big comfy chairs hidden between the bookshelves. There is a wonderful children's section as well. (I always get so distracted I forget to take pictures.)
Judging by the crowds, I am not the only one who still enjoys a good book.

Between Rainshowers

2010-06-06T19:07:00.003-05:00

It finally stopped raining long enough for the Geek to put the first coat of paint on N2's bicycle.

Breakfast with Friends

2010-05-30T15:36:00.012-05:00

We planned to meet friends for breakfast at Stella's on Sherbrook. With all the rain we had yesterday, we had water in the basement, twice, and the Jublilee underpass was closed last night. Since that is the most direct route, and we didn't want to drive the long way around, we took the bikes down Jubilee and rode on the sidewalk through that underpass (which now had very little water).

The Geek stopped and pulled a fallen tree branch off the path and we continued on our way.
We dressed for the fickle weather; the Geek wore her sunshine yellow boots and I was in my 'great pumpkin' cape. I bought the rain cape in Holland last year, and while I have worn it many times since, this was its maiden voyage on the bike. It was less windy today so I thought I would try it. Even if there had been as much water on the roads today as Friday, my seat (or rather both seats) would have stayed dry.The Geek practices her trackstands at stoplights, while I coast up slowly and try to gauge when the light will change.We had a lovely breakfast at Stella's and they were very busy; perhaps it is always that way on a Sunday morning.

I hope the weather changes soon. It is much nicer for Summer Games when it is warm.

Dressing for a Downpour

2010-05-28T12:52:00.005-05:00

It rained last night and started raining again this morning. The streets were wet and there were many puddles.

Normally if we are having a rain shower, I may put on a jacket, but basically it is business-as-usual.

This morning, because I knew the roads were already soggy, I dressed a little differently. A waterproof jacket, quick drying trousers and rubber boots. I packed my stuff in my backpack because it has a raincover and my panniers do not. The panniers don't even pretend to be remotely water repellent, as I found out in a heavy rain last year.

The boots were fine for the smaller puddles, but I did ride through some very deep lakes and the wake from the front wheel washed over the boot tops; soggy socks. Oh well.

I could have driven (and I am already starting to question my decision in the picture). My truck was at the garage having the battery replaced, and I could have taken the Geek's car, but it seemed too much hassle to try to get two cars home again. Putting Eselin in the back of the truck for the trip home just made sense.

The only really bad part: the front of my jacket drained water onto the nose of my saddle, which then ran across the top of the seat. The one part of me I thought would be dry for sure, was not.

The Price of Distraction

2010-05-27T08:32:00.011-05:00

A young woman riding on Portage Avenue near Polo Park was hit by a car yesterday afternoon.

Witnesses say she was rode out from a side street infront of a car travelling in the curb lane. Bad enough she didn't check for cars, she was apparently listening to something with earbuds in both ears.

She has apparently suffered some lacerations to her head and I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if she had spinal cord injuries as well. I hope I am wrong and that she is fine.

I was thinking of this as I rode to work this morning and the thought made me shudder. I hate all that noise so close to my brain, and the thought of anything like that interfering with traffic noises is frightening. "Don't young people know better," I thought to myself? Then one of my co-workers (who turned 57 on Tuesday) rode up beside me, and guess what he had in his ears?

I am occasionally a little too judgemental about 'young' people.

Priming for Paint

2010-05-23T20:35:00.004-05:00

Sunday afternoon after we came home from Narcisse, N2 insisted the Geek work on his bike. She ended up putting him, as well as his brothers and his dad to work on sanding the frame and wheels so she could put on the paint.

Later, she hung all the pieces from the clothes line and primed them.

N2 has asked for a red bike. The final results are pending.

Rigging a Jig

2010-05-22T17:31:00.021-05:00

The Geek has been thinking for some time of a way to bend the fork to make the front end of N2's chopper bike lower. She even considered running over the forks with a car, but decided that was not a reliable method.

So, on Saturday, she came up with a jig.
The 2-ton jack is sitting in a notch cut out of an old piece of 2X8 with a bolt holding the pivot points in place, and another bolt holding the front dropouts in place.

After jacking the cylinder to the full length, the forks bent a little but she found the bolts were bending instead of the forks; she found a bigger bolt.

She put it on the bike to see how it looked,

and tried again. The forks bent some more, and then the jig suffered a critical failure.

Thankfully the Geek was satisfied with the results

and the bike is ready for painting.

However, later that night, N2 called the Geek and asked if she could put gears on this bike. She tried to persuade him that chopper bikes don't have gears, but he was unconvinced. We are now on the search for an in-hub gear to build into a smaller wheel; a derailleur would be safe that close to the ground.

Pretty but Reckless

2010-05-19T17:18:00.004-05:00

The young woman on the pretty bike I mentioned yesterday rode by again today. She was waiting again at the lights where I saw her yesterday.
And at the end of the day, I saw her again. I was about to cross this same intersection to where Eselin was locked to a post but had stopped when the light turned red. She came zipping up on the sidewalk behind me and darted through the red light, making dismissive gestures to those motorists who honked. I would have thought that even if she was gave little consideration to the integrity of her own skin, she would not want to scratch the paint on her bike.
(~sigh~) Cyclists like that give us all a bad name.

No Jacket Required

2010-05-18T17:07:00.008-05:00

This morning was lovely and warm and I left home, for the first time this year, without a jacket.
I went out at lunch to run some errands and a lovely girl on a very pretty white cruiser with apple-green fenders stopped at the light. I complimented her on her bicycle (she seemed very surprised). I then remembered that Trisha and Dottie's Summer Games have started, but between the bicycle lock and keys in my hands, I couldn't get my camera out in time, so no shot of that gorgeous machine.
I was a little more alert on the way home.
This fellow is one of the few people I have seen riding in regular clothes. We chatted about the weather, as Winnipeggers do, before the light changed and he zoomed off.

I love summer! Especially when it arrives in May.

Pixie BIkes

2010-05-17T19:19:00.003-05:00

No better thrill on wheels, say pixie bikers

By: Carol Sanders

17/05/2010 1:00 AM

Kent Anthony rides his pixie bike Sunday afternoon on Garbage Hill. (DAVID LIPNOWSKI / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS)

THEY'RE grown men on tiny bikes.

Not circus clowns, but daredevils who say they're young at heart.

Meet the pixie bike racers, the latest, weirdest and likely the most well-balanced breed of Winnipeg cyclist.

On Sunday, they raced full bore on their tiny homemade wheels down the steep grade of Garbage Hill, vying to be the first to make it between the pylons two feet apart at the foot of the hill.

They'd grab hold of the jersey on the person in front of them to slingshot ahead. The prize for the winner of the "death race"? Survival and the sheer fun of it.

Jean Madore, 42, has been organizing the races for two years, and wants to "take it big -- as much as BMX."

There are anywhere from a dozen to 22 pixie bike racers in Winnipeg, Madore figures. Most are male and many are bicycle mechanics.

The transplanted Quebecer is a proponent of the homemade novelty bike as well as being a mountain biking enthusiast. The tricky little pixie, though, is dearest to him.

"I'm like a kid again," said the Canadian Forces driver and driving instructor.

"I have no kids -- I'm the kid."

The bikes may look childish but require a high level of balance and co-ordination to operate without popping a wheelie or wiping out.

The pixie riders make it look easy.

Paul Dixon, 31, whips around the Garbage Hill course near Polo Park well-protected with a blue cape, shin pads and a full-face downhill helmet that says "Got Jesus?"

His bike is a hybrid of scavenged parts, including a pink L'il Princess handlebar and a boyish black banana seat.

Sometimes the bike mechanic will go for a spin down Broadway during the lunch hour.

"All the people looking grumpy see me coming and it makes them smile," said Dixon, who has a three-year-old daughter.

On top of Garbage Hill Sunday, the pixie bike racers warmed up on their "steeds."

"If you hit a gopher hole, you're gone," said KMO, a 27-year-old bike mechanic who wouldn't give his real name.

He said there are no real mountains or big hills in these parts, so to make the hills feel bigger, they make their bikes smaller.

The sport isn't for everyone, he said.

"It's for someone who doesn't take themselves too seriously."

Madore said they're planning more races later this summer with the dates and times posted on his Facebook wall.

carol.sanders@freepress.mb.ca

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition May 17, 2010 A5"

Kissing Worms

2010-05-11T16:26:00.010-05:00

Spring is in the air.
Warm breezes carry the smell of blossoming trees.

And then, too small to see, are the wretched canker worms. Later in the summer they have grown large from forging themselves on the the leaves from the trees. One can see them dangling from the branches by their silken cords, and dodge around them.

But not now. Tiny little horrors. I ride along and suddenly feel something against my lips. I sputter and ride down the street (phffttt, phfft) and no doubt people I pass wonder why I am riding a bike and making sounds like a motor.
I can only hope for a good frost.

Waiting for Spring

2010-05-08T19:19:00.005-05:00

I had bought this CCM a few years ago but found it was a little small, so gave it to Semantique.
We went to visit Semantique a few weeks ago and found her loyal bike patiently waiting in the garage for the nice weather that, we hope, is just around the corner.

Bike Count

2010-05-06T17:25:00.008-05:00

This morning Eselin and I camped out in front of the Bridge Drive Inn doing an Active Transportation count for Bike to the Future.
Everyone smiled as they went by; a few curious souls asked me what I was doing but I was largely left alone to count all the cyclists (and occasionaly pedestrian) that passed my spot.

What I noticed on this particular day?
-More men than women cycle.
-Men were more likely to ride on the street than women.
-Most people were wearing a helmet.
-And I was the only one riding in my work clothes.

I have to hurry to get my 'official' results in.

A Museum Find

2010-05-02T19:10:00.017-05:00

I have lived in St. Vital for about five years and I hadn't found out much about this part of the world.
This weekend we went on a couple of Jane's Walks and learned alot about St Vital as well as other parts of the city.
The St Vital Walk started and ended at the St Vital Museum.
The museum is maintained by the St Vital Historical Society and they are a very enthusiastic group.
They have a great collection of memorabilia from the neighbourhood.

A display of old cameras.
Woodworking tools.

Old bicycle license plates.The last St Vital fire truck.

And a very cool bike with nice lines.

A Wards Hawthorne, pre-World War II, tho' I may well be wrong about the exact time.

I was told this was the paper carriers bicycle.
This Hawthorne is not as tough looking as some of the other models but is very pleasing to the eye nontheless.

Active Transportation-South End Version

2010-04-30T18:15:00.007-05:00

Yesterday Winnipeg's Active Transportation Committe took themselves to the southern part of the city for a meeting at a church on Ste. Anne's Rd.
I'm not sure if it was the 'remote' location or the wet weather - we haven't had rain for so long we don't know what to do when it happens-but it was poorly attended. The number of presenters probably outnumbered the attendees.
I was glad to see that the sidewalk along Dunkirk is going to become a mixed-use pathway. Dunkirk has sharrows, but the speed limit is so high on that stretch of road that I don't ride there; I go down St Mary's instead.

We were driving as I had a number of far flung errands to run at lunch time but this is the only bike we saw at the event.

However, as Altona is over 100 kilometers from Winnipeg, I am very impressed!.

Secure Parking

2010-04-27T18:18:00.001-05:00

Often if the Geek and I go somewhere together and we can't find a bike rack or a convenient post, we will simply lock the bikes together. With Eselin's rear wheel locked, and the two bikes cabled together, it would take a very strong and determined person to make off with them.

It's Been a Year!

2010-04-22T07:06:00.006-05:00

I started this blog on Earth day last year; it's amazing how quickly time flies.

There have been a few firsts-riding my bike in the winter. It was something I always wanted to do as a kid, but wasn't allowed. It could be my dad was worried the bikes would get lost if we had a big snow. Or being little and erratic in a child-like way, he was worried about accidents. I don't know.

And I have very much enjoyed Eselin. I'd forgotten how much fun an upright bike could be.

Best of all is the online community I have discovered. So many people in so many places with such similar ideas. I never would have guessed such a world existed.

I have been enjoying myself immensely.

Happy Earth Day everyone.

Quite An Assortment

2010-04-21T05:59:00.004-05:00

This fellow, who was advertising on Kijiji has quite an assortment. Nothing quite suited, and I wasn't willing to pay the price he was asking, considering the amount of work required on the little beasties.

A Few Small Degrees

2010-04-18T13:15:00.003-05:00

Eselin came equipped with a Sella Royale saddle. I'm not sure if it was supposed to make her look more comfortable or more friendly but I found that saddle put my legs to sleep if I rode for more than 40 minutes. Wretched thing.
Last fall, when we were in Toronto, I bought a Brooks saddle. I have never been one to follow trends, but I am glad I made an exception here. Well, that and the Harry Potter books.
A number of people have written posts on how comfortable leather saddles are, so I will not continue on that theme, but it is true that it is a much more comfortable ride.
The Geek installed the new saddle last fall, but I used that bike only a couple of times after that, so it needed a bit of adjustment this spring. Since the Brooks isn't as 'puffy' as the Royale, the seat was raised about 3/4 of an inch and because I always felt as if I was always sliding off the nose, the Geek adjusted it by one 'tick'. I am now sitting even further behind the pedals and have noticed a huge increase in speed.
Who would have thought such small adjustments would make such a difference?

I'm Not Keen on Horizontal Hills

2010-04-13T17:16:00.004-05:00

The wind was in my face the whole ride home and made it seem as tho' I was standing still when it was gusting at its strongest. Riding Rabbit today didn't help. Eselin has the authority of weight to stand up to the wind-at least 20 pounds more authority than Rabbit does. (Rabbit, for that same reason, is easier to lift in and out of the truck when the truck needs to go to the garage for repairs; but I digress.)
It's like those stories you heard as a kid, 'I walked 10 miles to school and it was up hill both ways."

I don't know what I looked like, but I felt like this....

(Thank you to The Camilleon for the great picture).

Active Transportation

2010-04-08T12:41:00.008-05:00

The city of Winnipeg held an open house to discuss the Jubilee/Hay section of the Active Transportation initiative.
I found it peculiar that there would be no bicycle parking at a session for Active Transportation, but found the racks inside, of all places. I guess they take secure parking seriously. What a refreshing change!

Despite my pictures showing almost empty rooms, there was a very good turn out.

Perhaps everyone, at this moment, is over looking at the Rapid Transit displays rather than those for bicycle routes.

The committee is always receptive to comments and suggestions from the neighbouring communities.
The Jubilee/Hay section is of particular interest to me as it is part of my work commute. I hope the Jubilee Underpass choke-point problem can be solved; it is due to be studied next year. Until then, I will continue to ride that stretch on the sidewalk.

Riding to the Lumber Yard

2010-04-07T19:57:00.005-05:00

I admire anyone who would ride to Rona, in the seriously traffic congested area around Polo Park.And they are such cheerful, spring-like bikes that compliment the colour of the bike rack. Cute, cute, cute.

A Whole Lot Better Than Cancer Sticks

2010-04-04T20:29:00.003-05:00

I was reading a post written by Anna in her blog. I have not yet succeeded in borrowing the picture from her site but it is an inner tube dispenser is made from an old cigarette machine. Isn't that cool?

The site is in German, but the Geek tells me there are 520 of these machines world wide with the highest concentration in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. I am so impressed! And inner tubes are a whole lot better than what used to come out of those machines!

Should She Stay or Should She Go?

2010-03-29T20:14:00.006-05:00

I took the Tempest mixte out for a longer test ride today. She needed very little to make her ready to go; just some air in the tires. Everything else is in pretty good shape.

It is interesting to ride with gears as Eselin is just a one speed donkey. The Geek didn't have to spend so much time coasting as we cruised down the Crescent.

The mixte is fast (relatively speaking) but it is a bit too small; the seat could stand to be raised by another inch, but there is no more post for that. A new post can be obtained.
The hand grips, ridged as they are, are also very hard on the hands and will also have to be changed if I keep her.

If I give her away, I want to keep the seat, perhaps for Rabbit. Is that selfish?
Either way, she is going to need a bath.

Contradictions

2010-03-26T17:21:00.007-05:00

A warmish day meant my trip home involved no boots, no coat, no mitts.....

.....but a winter helmet.
At least I am colour coordinated.

Last Day in Disguise.

2010-03-25T12:17:00.004-05:00

The temperature didn't drop to -21 last night (only -17) but full face protection was needed nevertheless.

The Geek hopes this is the last time this season for the full get-up.

Winter's Last Gasp?

2010-03-24T12:14:00.003-05:00

Snow this morning, -21 tonight. Dare I hope this is the last?

Back on the 'Bat

2010-03-20T19:04:00.004-05:00

The streets are pretty much dry now so I decided it was time to take Eselin out again. I told Rabbit I was taking Eselin because she needed exercise, but I don't think Rabbit bought that story, especially since Rabbit is now up near the rafters of the garage, probably until next winter.

I had forgotten how wonderful Eselin is to ride. Smooth. Quiet. Tall. And the new leather saddle I bought last fall is sooo much more comfortable than the Sella Royale saddle with which Eselin came equipped, and which I am now using on Rabbit. Rabbit was used primarily for short jaunts so it really didn't matter about the comfort of the saddle.
The Geek and I stopped on the bridge to check out the river levels, but didn't tarry long as the wind was strong and it was quite cold despite the sun.
It is good to be back on the Bat.

'Pop' Goes the River

2010-03-17T17:11:00.009-05:00

After what seemed an extraordinarily long spell of cloud, it is wonderful to see the sun.

The Red River is starting to crack and break up, weeks ahead of normal.
Huge chunks and sheets of ice are making their way north to Lake Manitoba.
Rabbit stands on high alert, ready to flee should the ice suddenly break free of the river and climb the bank.
I am posting the pictures in a smaller size so hopefully they can be enlarged by clicking upon them. Blogger has been a little tempermental of late and won't always enlarge my photographs.

Camoflauge

2010-03-16T19:37:00.004-05:00

I suspect this bike has been abandoned. It has been looking very dejected for several weeks now, and since the thaw has started, it has been repeatedly splashed with street grime.
It is blends so much into the background, it probably feels it will never be found by its owner.

Murky, Moody, March

2010-03-12T05:20:00.002-06:00

We are having a very atypical March. Rain, fog and early melting, causing puddles in the streets that turn into ugly, muddy tsunamis when vehicles drive through them.
It isn't much better in the afternoon, when I park my bike and take the bus to the University.
We now have plenty of water on top of the river ice.
And I hope global warming never progresses to the point where this is a possibility.

I crave our normal sunny days.

Cycling the Tour de France

2010-03-07T08:22:00.005-06:00

After reading my post on The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie, Richard suggested I read French Revolutions by Tim Moore.

Mr Moore, with very little recent cycling experience, and in not the best physical condition, decides he is going to cycle the route of the Tour De France. He buys himself a new road bike, and, without master the locking toe-clips or the bicycle's gears, sets off on his adventure.
I found Mr Moore's writing style highly entertaining and he critiques and praises everyone and everything, including himself, with the same degree of honesty and humour.

The book gives a good overview of the route the tour takes and the history of this race.I am not inspired to try the same feat, but I enjoyed Moore's take on the caper.
It was a very enjoyable read.

Working Bicycles

2010-02-21T10:02:00.006-06:00

I certainly can't speak to the rest of Mexico, but Playa del Carman certainly has adopted the bicycle for everyday work purposes. It could be that one of the busiest streets, as well as the street to the ferry terminal, were pedestrian-only corridors.

We saw bikes that shuttled people from the ferry to taxis or to their hotels,(these ones were waiting for their riders to finish breakfast before heading off to the docks)

hauling produce,

serving as a fresh-squeezed orange juice stands for morning commuters,

and supporting floats in parades.

Different Approaches

2010-02-20T09:52:00.004-06:00

Bicycles are mixed with scooters and motorcycles in the parking areas of Playa del Carman. The bicycle, I was happy to see, was used extensively in this city.

Some people had greater security concerns than others, and the salty air played havoc with the finish of many of the bikes.

I wish I had seen the person who rode this bike. The geometry of the handlebars is amazing.

These were the types of helmets worn by most people on scooters. Cyclists didn't wear helmets, but I think they would make a cool alternative for people on bikes in other parts of the world.

Mayan Bicycle

2010-02-18T17:41:00.006-06:00

This was such a cheerful bicycle, surrounded by flowers, on what I felt was a very Spanish/Mexican style of fence.

Origami

2010-02-14T06:50:00.003-06:00

On the way home from work on Friday, we stopped by Mountain Equipment Co-op. The Geek was looking for some wool t-shirts. I have been wearing wool as a base layer for a couple of years and I have finally brought her over from the dark side.
We happened to see MEC's version of folding bicycle while we were waling into the store. It was cabled to the stand with some other bicycles, so it was difficult to take a clear picture but it might be more obvious if enlarged.

The bike is called Origami, which I think is cute, and is manufactured by Dahon. The geometry looks off for my needs, but there may be some who find it highly practical. You can read the description and any reviews (there are none at this moment) here.

Filthy Bicycle

2010-02-03T20:05:00.003-06:00

I don't know if this picture gives a true appreciation of how very dirty the Geek's bike really is.

Suffice to say it has been well used on the slushy streets for the last few weeks. Now things are just icy so she is temporarily back to running and bussing to her destinations.

Small but Noisy

2010-01-30T19:50:00.006-06:00

N3 turned three yesterday (tho' if you ask him, he will insist he is five) so we found this little blue horn to go with his little blue bike.
I have been told he grew so much over the summer that he is using the full size wheels now, so maybe he is really five.

Strange Weather

2010-01-24T04:57:00.007-06:00

Winnipeg doesn't usually have several days of above freezing weather in January. Heavy wet snow, sleet, and rain, is equally unusual. The combination of the two is ugly.

This is what Portage Avenue, one of Winnipeg's major streets, looked like at about 830 yesterday morning. We had given friends a ride to the airport and were heading off to do some errands. The few cyclists I saw were on the sidewalks pushing their bikes through the mush.

The snowplows were out in full force, but the stuff kept oozing back off the edge of the streets and into the curb lane.

The wet stuff continued pretty much all day yesterday and we are expecting more today. Then the winds are supposed to shift and by tomorrow afternoon the temperature is supposed to drop to -17C. I'm hoping the 'plows can contend with the ice and clear the streets all the way across. The Geek is working from home tomorrow (preplanned but still fortuitous) and I am taking the bus.

Preventing Misplaced Aggression

2010-01-07T19:52:00.004-06:00

Yesterday was cold and we had a few centimeters of dry snow, the kind that squeaks under your boots when you walk. The Geek rode her bike home in this stuff, but was very impressed how the drivers of motor vehicles gave her lots of space and didn't crowd her at the lights.
Today though, she elected to run, rather than ride her bike, given that the streets had not improved overnight. She reasoned that while she felt relatively safe from injury, she didn't want to feel responsible if someone who, frustrated at her presence on the road, acted aggressively toward another driver.
It was also a rather chilly today, and she was very frosty when she arrived at her destination.

A Bicycle Named Gladys

2010-01-03T11:55:00.001-06:00

The last few days have given us temperatures of-35C with a -45 windchill (-31/-49F). Since there is no pressing reason for me to go outside, I have been bundled up inside with the books I received for Christmas.

I am currently enjoying The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley. I cheer for the protagonist, 11-year-old detective Flavia de Luce, as only a former 11-year-old detective (and not her mother) can.

Flavia rides her late mother’s three-speed BSA Keep Fit bicycle, L’Hirondelle, (the swallow) which she found “languishing for years in a toolshed”. She rescues her from “rusty oblivion” but her tires were flat and “her gears bone dry and crying out for oil”. She restores L’Hirondelle, and renames her Gladys.

Gladys carries Flavia on her investigations and allows her the freedom of movement and imagination we all relished at that age. “...I let Gladys have her head, swooping down the slopes past the rushing hedges, imaging all the while I was the pilot of one of the Spitfires which, just five years ago, had skimmed these very hedgerows like swallows as they came in to land at Leathcote.”

I wasn’t surprised to find an online ‘Flavia de Luce Fan Club’ as I’ve only read a few chapters, but I can’t wait to find out what she does next.

I am Quite the Oddity

2009-12-22T15:21:00.005-06:00

I just called to make an appointment to have my hair cut. I was last there on a Saturday morning sometime in early November.
When I gave my name to the woman on the 'phone, she said to me, "Are you the girl on the bike?"
I guess there are worse ways to be remembered.

My First Winter Ride

2009-12-12T19:44:00.006-06:00

Last night I rode a bicycle in the winter for the first time. We went up the street to visit friends and while in the summer the distance is a pleasant walk, that would not be the case at this time of year. It is also much too close to drive. The bicycle was the obvious choice.
We left the house around 730 pm so there was very little traffic, a bonus for a maiden voyage.
Winnipeg has had very little snow this year -so far. We have snow all around us, but the streets here are still fairly clear. It was cold when we did have snow so it stayed as powder and did not melt into ice.
I couldn't find my windpants so I put leggings under my jeans, wore a breathable winter jacket, my big winter boots and a pair of fleece mitts inside my shearling-lined leather mitts. The helmet cover kept my head mostly warm, tho' the pesky leak around temples would have been problematic on a longer ride. I was comfortably warm and well padded for a fall (which was my biggest concern). I had headlights and a flashing tail light but the batteries were getting weak in the headlight so they died in the cold. The tail light shorted out. I borrowed a flashing leg band from the Geek and rode behind her, as her lights were working well. Those pesky light problems were solved today.
I'm happy to say the the streets were not the least bit slippery and I didn't come close to falling. There is no chance that I will let my guard down though.
The winter bike is much lighter than Eselin, and therefore feels much different to ride. Eselin is so long and very sturdy that you don't feel any bumps. This bike responds very quickly and I could probably catch myself more easily should the wheels slip.
As I was pedalling along, I kept likening this bike to a rabbit, so I think it will have to have a name that implies bunny-like properties. Undoubtedly something will come to mind.
Now that I have tried this, I'll probably ride more. It will definitely make my life easier if I don't have to rely totally on public transit, which is how I generally get around in the winter.

I Need a Different Hobby

2009-12-10T21:04:00.007-06:00

We went to Re-Store tonight to pick up some lumber to modify a futon frame (anther story all together) and found, of all things, this mixte in the assortment of items they had for sale.

It is a Tempest and says in very small print that is is made in Canada. The brown metallic paint is in fairly good shape and there is very little rust in the fenders. I'll have to do some research into its history.

While I definitely do not need another bike, it is now in the garage with the rest of the posse.

This is getting a little out of hand. A stamp collection would be far easier to store.

Dedicated Pathways Underway

2009-12-08T17:29:00.005-06:00

For years Winnipeg has been talking about a rapid transport corridor and it looks like they may have finally started work on it.
Staunch supporters have their website h ere. I'm waiting to see how this all turns out.

This isn't a very exciting picture, but it is proof (of something.)

Bicycles as Art

2009-12-04T19:42:00.003-06:00

When out walking in Wolseley late this afternoon, I came across this older bike in the front yard of someone's house. While it is not nearly as creative as some of the bike art Filigree has found, or as whimsical as Carinthia's florist's bike, it does have a certain stateliness to it.
The 'available light' setting on my camera almost makes it look like this bike was bathed in moonlight, when in reality it was barely dusk.

Snow is a Four-Letter Word

2009-11-25T17:26:00.001-06:00

But I guess I'll be saying it a lot in the next little while. Thankfully, this was only a skiff.

Prairie Girls in The Big Smoke

2009-11-23T20:09:00.004-06:00

We were very extravagant and went to Toronto for the weekend to visit friends and do some shopping.

It was wonderful to see the many options people have for using their bicycles to access public transit.
This covered bike shelter was at a GO-train stop outside of the Greater Toronto area.
And these bike were locked up at Union Station.

We stopped at Curbside Cycle to look at a few things. They had a very cute tricycle.

Maple handlebars. Not recommended for winter riding as maple supposedly shatters in cold temperatures.
Of the hundreds of cyclists and their bicycles, these were the most obviously modified.

And we are now the happy owners of Brooks saddles.

The New-to-Me Winter Bike

2009-11-15T17:16:00.012-06:00

This is a 1972 Eatons Glider made by Raleigh. I found it on Kijiji for a wonderful price. I had pretty much decided to buy her before I even saw her in person.
It had a bit of rust, and the chrome needed some polishing.

It has the original Glider badge
And a Sturmey-Archer 3-speed hub, that worked very well even without cleaning.

The pedals are really quite cool-I've never seen ones like this before.

And an old, white, Brooks saddle, which surprisingly, is not leather.

The front fender has some interesting details.

Sadly, inside the details, things were rather rusty.

The Geek applied some rust converter (I still have to research what the rust might be converted to. Gold would be good, especially at today's prices.) to stop it from spreading further.

She then painted on a coat of re-purposed truck-bed liner. That should keep any salt that gets in this winter from causing further damage.

Once the inner tubes were replaced and the seat adjusted, the handlebars were a little too low.
Yesterday we went to Naturalcycle and pestered Anders until we found the right stem/ handlebar combination to bring the handlebars to a comfortable height. Anders was somewhat concerned about the tire type and the open bearings on the wheels and how they will fare in the winter weather. Those things will have to be replaced if this winter riding thing catches on with me.
While we were there, a fellow walked in and told me that he had been looking at that bike and rightly identified that I bought it from a gentleman in Headingley. Sometimes Winnipeg is a very small town.

Once the old handlebars were removed and the brakes and gear-shifter were transferred to the new handlebars, she was ready to go.

Here she is beside Eselin. Even tho' she feels just as heavy, for some reason she doesn't have the same feel. No doubt it is because Eselin is much longer and has bigger wheels.

Now I just have to actually get up enough nerve to ride in the snow. Since the snow is late this year, and I am in no hurry for it to come, I'll have time to get to know her first.

And she will need a name. Pretty bikes like this cannot remain anonymous.

The Orioles Bike Cage

2009-11-14T18:18:00.006-06:00

Today we took a load of 'retrieved' bicycles and assorted parts to the Orioles Bike Cage.
(My new-to-me bike is on the top of the pile, but it didn't stay there.)

It is located near the Orioles Community Club in Winnipeg's West End.

The 'Cage' is housed in what I think was the changing rooms for the nearby skating rink, but it has been converted to a well kitted out bicycle repair shop.

They also have a huge assortment of donated parts.

There were three volunteers working with several children when we arrived. The kids seemed to be having a great deal of fun riding around on their wheels and no doubt helping where they could.

Good Advertising

2009-11-13T05:21:00.002-06:00

This cool bike rack is outside, of all places, a bicycle shop.

It would be handy for giving directions too. "Just head west on Portage until you see the big orange bike." Very cute.