Trains and Bikes Equal Freedom

Check out the Path Less Pedaled Website – very cool

Speaking of Trains and Bikes I attended a TBN (Toronto Bike Network) training seminar this week and I was chatting it up with some seasoned ride leaders. They told me that it is 160km from CN tower to Niagara Falls and there is a GO train that will bring you and your bike back for about $20. TBN members do that ride a few times in the summer and it is a one day ride. A long day, but still only one day. The returning GO train stops in Oakville on the return to Union Station. When I get more info about dates I’ll post it on the RRS blog.

And another point of interest: Laura and Russ travelled 10,000 miles over 15 months and they were riding on Brooks B17 saddles. I know, I know – I sound like an advertisment but it is just another testimonial of how amazing the Brooks saddle is. Laura and Russ are going to do another journey on folding bikes. When I was reading about the bikes I came across a subtle magic detail. Yep … they swapped their old Brooks saddles onto the new bikes. Enough said.

DandyHorse – Toronto Bike Magazine

I came across a website for Dandyhorse Magazine. I’ve never seen the magazine and I didn’t know it existed … until now. I’ll keep my eyes open for a copy at local bike shops. It looks artsy and interesting.

dandyhorse Volume 4, Issue No. 1 rolls out in May.

picture from dandyhorse Magazine website

Dandyhorse Magazine Web Site

Beater Bikes

Beater Bikes is a small indie bicycle company run by Dave and based in Toronto. They make bikes that are easy to use, low maintenance and inexpensive. Bikes are designed at a $350 price point.

They are looking for testers. If you are interested follow the link to their website.

via Beater Bikes.

WTF is Randonneuring?

Bike Equipped for Randonneuring - from Wikipedia

If you are curious about Randonneuring here is a description from Wikipedia.

Randonneuring is a type of organised long distance bicycle riding, with rides typically covering between 200 and 1,200 kilometres (124–746 miles). A participant is known as a randonneur, and an event is a randonnée. The term brevet may be used interchangeably with randonnée, although strictly speaking, a brevet is one specific type of event.[1]

Randonneuring is not a competitive sport. It is a test of endurance, self-sufficiency and bicycle touring skills. All riders who complete the task are congratulated, and no prizes are given to those with the fastest times.[2]

Riders are expected to carry clothing for inclement weather, spare parts and tools. Rides in excess of 300 kilometers frequently involve night riding and require lights, spare bulbs and reflective gear.

The term brevet may also refer to the certificate of completion given to riders who complete a brevet.

To ensure that the correct route is followed and no short cuts are taken, the rider must pass through a series of locations known as “controls”. The rider carries a “brevet card”, onto which information is added at each control, and this card is presented to the organisers at the end of the ride as proof that the route was followed. There are two types of controls. The first is a “manned control”, usually at a village hall or cafe, at which someone waits to stamp the riders cards as they pass through. On longer rides a manned control may be a shop, where the rider must obtain a till receipt showing the date and time. The second type of control is an “information control”, more commonly called an “info control”, where the rider must answer a question. For example, if the card asks, “From the signpost at the T-Junction, how far is it to Oadby?”, the rider must find the signpost and write the answer on the brevet card.

via Randonneuring – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Event – Tour of Bronte April 10th

If the idea of bicycle road racing on narrow, winding roads in uncertain weather and historic settings makes you think of Europe, think again and get ready for the Tour of Bronte in Oakville.

Taking place in Bronte Creek Provincial Park in Oakville, Ontario, the race circuit is a mix of smooth and not so smooth paved and unpaved winding, narrow roads. It evokes the feel of the historic classic races in northern Europe and modern ProTour retro classics like the Monte Paschi Eroica in Tuscany.

What makes it unique? only 20 minutes from downtown Toronto • closed road circuit (no yellow line rule, ever) • half of the course is unpaved • $5000+ prize list • events for the bike racing neophyte all the way up to and including elite amateur and professional riders • a ton of family friendly activities to complete the day • children’s farm, playbarn, century farms and walking trails add to the family friendly atmosphere

On April 10, come ride, or watch, what is sure to be one of the most interesting races in Canada in 2011.

2011 Tour de Bronte - Course Map

If pro riding is not your thing then RRS may provide an alternative. Keep checking the RRS website because I will coordinate with RRS member Mike Walker and see if we can schedule a RRS Tour de Bronte to retrace portions of the course at a leisurely pace. Mike led the RRS group through Bronte Park last summer.

Information on the pro ride at Tour of Bronte.

Audi peddles luxury wood bike line

INGOSTADT, GERMANY — After years of fine hardwood and exotic species wood trim in its luxury four wheel drive Quattro automobiles, Audi has conjured up a wood-based two-wheel ride, launching the duo line of luxury wood bicycles.

In models priced upwards of $6,000, woods for the bikes are selected to match the look of Audi vehicle interiors. The duo line of bicycles has also lead Audi to tout the advantages of monocoque frames made of hardwood rather than metal.

“Audi is the first automaker to recognize the benefits of, and offer a bicycle made from, wood,” says Audi’s marketing department. Wood offers the smoothest ride of any bike frame material thanks to its superior ability to absorb shock and vibration.

“Since the weight per cubic inch of wood is about one-fourth the weight of aluminum, the duo is lighter than most bicycle frames, while offering equal or superior stiffness, durability, and toughness,” says Audi.

Audi says the duo bicycles reinforce its commitment to sustainability, since the wood frame is also recyclable and biodegradable. The duo has non-wood attributes that give appeal to serious bicyclers – advances bike drive components include a belt drive, aluminum and carbon fiber components, disk brakes and LED lighting. Audi duo bikes come in three sizes and take about six weeks for delivery.

Audi duo bikes are hand-built by Renovo Studio, in Portland, OR, the same firm that built a wood bike for lumber supplier Collins Companies. Collins commissioned a bicycle of FSC certified wood, placing it on display at the Green Build Conference last fall in Chicago. And a California firm began importing bamboo and hardwood bicycle frames made in Zambia, winning a finalist spot in a BBC global business competition last year.

via Audi peddles luxury wood bike line.

Oakville Loop 50k

Sunday April 3, 2011

Ange, Scott, Denise and Drew - Oakville Loop 50k photo in Jack Darling Park

Sunny and 4C. I had mapped two route choices of 40km using Map my Ride. We decided to do the Southern route to Oakville, Lakeshore, Port Credit and back.

The group started out strong with Denise setting a brisk pace … better than planned. The roads were good and the traffic light as we headed to Neyagawa Blvd. The descent down Neyagawa Blvd was smooth and fast. We were riding just under 40 kph. When we reached Upper Middle we headed East toward Dorval Drive. We navigated some traffic as we continued down Dorval Drive to Lakeshore Road.

Downtown Oakville was bustling with traffic, walkers and bicycles. There were a lot of people out enjoying the mild temperatures and sunshine.

We continued East on Lakeshore Road to reach Southdown Road. The section of road near the refinery had a lot of dirt and dust. The road conditions had been better than I had expected with the exception of that small section.

We had only planned a 40km ride. When we reached Orr Road we originally planned to continue north up Southdown Road to Erin Mills Parkway.  However, we were ahead of pace, so it was decided to ride to Port Credit and take Mississauga Road home. That would add another 10km and turn our first ride into a 1/2 century. Everybody agreed and we turned right onto Orr Road to follow the Waterfront Trail to Jack Darling Park. At the park we stopped for a blog photo moment.

From there, we headed to Port Credit along Lakeshore Road and then turned North onto Mississauga Road.

We had held a decent pace so far but fatigue was setting in on Scott and me. Denise and Ange still had strong legs so the group split up with Denise and Ange cranking the pedals homeward. Scott and I slowed the pace a bit and enjoyed the scenery as we rode up Mississauga Road.

I was pretty tired when I got home. It was a great ride but I didn’t have much leg left. Denise was ready to go for a 10k run when she got back and she was serious. We took a little longer on the ride than planned so she decided to get a few things done. I took a nap.

The ride data is from my Garmin. Even with my pace slowing for the last 10 km we averaged 22.2 kph. Denise beat me home by about 10 minutes so I imagine she was averaging 24-25 kph. I’ve got some more training to do.

Ride data here.