Now, I haven’t seen too many bicycle commercials, but there does seem to be a trend emerging. No hyped-up voice overs. No fancy-font tag lines. Just people on bikes, riding like regular people on bicycles do.
BikingToronto member ‘Xander who runs the great photo blog TorontoBikeChic (and 416CycleStyle) is on the hunt for signs of spring. He wants to know how bicycles have changed or influenced your life.
Here’s ‘Xander’s own words on the subject:
My bicycle was there during first kisses in Trinity park. It supported early morning rides for spring lattes at the café curbside to the design studio. I’ve found alleyway shortcuts to where flowers bloom on side streets and the smell of 3am baked bread still lingers past noon.
I recall getting chills watching flowing skirts, and drinking in wafts of perfumed sweat on summer breezes as the red changed to green. I hear the distinct ding of vintage bells whose sweet alarm teased of upcoming conflicts, or flirts of unknown around each turn.
My bicycle crossed the beaches at 2am with bottles of wine to rest amongst the flicker of skyscraper fireflies. Its two wheels have heard the slander of lovers quarrel and felt the side swipe of oncoming traffic during periods of emotional insanity.
My Bicycle took me away through rain wind and snow, always without a care to the destination.
It has inspired films, music, poems and photos. Its simple stencil holds strength in its slender spokes. It creates a relationship that binds the stiletto to the pedal. It fuels a fire that pushes one leg to mimic the other in a rhythmic dance that brings reason to the here and there.
If you own a bicycle and are a Toronto Fashion Designer, Fashion Photographer, Blogger, Musician or any Torontonian whose style has been inspired by the simplicity and sexiness of two wheels please join this virtual ride to somewhere.
Please send any photos of you and your bicycle and a brief description of who you are to 416cyclestyle@gmail.com We will show case your inspiration on www.416cyclestyle.com
I eventually hope to have enough to make a poster of 1000 Toronto Cycle Chic stylish riders
As I have mentioned before, Globe, a new sub-brand of Specialized, has loaned a few Toronto cyclists bicycles try and blog about. Here’s my review of the Globe Haul 1 I’ve been riding around since late October (I know, that’s a strange time to start trying out a new bike in Toronto. Luckily, the weather has been great).
My girlfriend, Cat, has also been participating in the Globe Revolution. She’s riding a different model, the Live 1, and has just recently posted her review.
Everywhere you look in Toronto you’ll find bicycles. A cyclist keeps pace with a streetcar on Queen. A young woman walks her bicycle along Yonge, looking for an empty post and ring. In the dark corner of a towering steel and glass building you’ll find a bicycle rack and more often than not it will be full.
Artist Jerry Waese has been contributing colourful sketches of Toronto scenes to Spacing Magazine. Many feature bicycles and cyclists. Whether you’re looking for them or not it is hard to miss the sheer numbers of bicycles filling the visual landscape of Toronto streets.
As part of Bike Winter, the city of Toronto hosted the Coldest Day of the Year Ride on Saturday, January 30th, 2010.
I bundled up in my down jacket, long johns, ski gloves and scarf and hopped on my Globe to join the ride.
While the weather did finally cool down to winter temperatures, it certainly doesn’t look like the end of January in Toronto. Where are the snowbanks? Where’s the slush?
I arrive just a few minutes before noon and find parking at a premium:
If you want to know what’s big for cycling in 2010… it’s yellow, and lots of it:
There’s two little ones all bundled up in there:
Excuse me, Joe, can you tell me which way we’re supposed to go? Thanks:
Just a few weeks earlier and Grenadier Pond would have been covered with ice skaters:
Just after we passed under the Gardiner Expressway and cross over Lakeshore Highway (errr, Boulevard) to the Martin Goodman Trail:
The Pizza Pizza pagoda was closed… but Joe and HappyStuffing wouldn’t be affected by the stink had it been open for business:
Free Hot Chocolate! Thanks!:
The BikingToronto community has been talking a lot about visibility. With a little flash here’s HappyStuffing’s taped up and highly visible ride:
The visibility theme continues with a bright jacket and reflective belt and cuffs… excellent dollar store finds:
Of course, you don’t need day-glo to be visible. Sometimes a suggestive slogan on your rack-mounted crate is all you need:
Okay, enough bicycles for a second. Let’s just enjoy the waterfront view… I’m glad this long stretch isn’t littered with condos (yet):
And seriously, bicycle computer, you’re pretending that it’s much warmer than it is:
Sure, you’ve probably seen this view a million times, but have you seen it by bicycle? Loverly:
The end of the line:
Just as we all arrive at Little Norway Park this guy rolls up and asks the way to Copenhagen:
I’ll admit that I got a late start to bike commuting. It took me more than 3 years of city living to finally give it a try. In June 2009, on a bit of a whim, I took my new bike on a 25 km journey to my office in the outer reaches of Toronto (so far in fact that it’s not even in Toronto).
At first, I’d bike just twice a week as I needed the next day to recover. If it looked like rain, I jumped on the subway (then bus, then another bus and sometimes yet another bus).
All it took was one rainfall that I didn’t see coming and I lost the fear of getting wet. I was already soaked with sweat, so it made little difference, and rain actually feels good in the heat and humidity of a Toronto summer.
By the end of 2009 I had bought cycling shorts, tights, a shirt or two and a waterproof jacket. I now have a sturdy lock (and back-up lock for paranoia), panniers, two pumps, various lights and more cycling goodies than I can even remember.
So, what can I do more in 2010? Well, there’s been one big change for me. My commute, which was recently shortened to just 20 km each way has been drastically cut. I’ve joined the ranks of the work-from-home brigades, no commuting necessary. At least not daily.
This opens new doors for me. I get the chance to take morning or noon rides on trails I previously never would have seen on weekdays. I get to ride for pleasure, and if my route starts to wear on me, I get to change it. Lucky me, I know.
Yet, working from home also provides the opportunity to become lazy. I worked so hard getting comfortable as a bicycle commuter that it’s hard to give it up cold turkey. So, I’m going to make my morning rides my own sort of commute. It will be the longest distance between my bedroom and my home office possible, much more than a few shuffle-steps.
Over on Commute by Bike, Bike Shop Girl has compiled a list of 2010 bike commuter goals. Here are her 8 goals with my comments:
1. Learn how to properly lock your bike
There are a lot of different places to lock your bike in Toronto. It took me some time and practice to find the “sweet spots” for locking to post and rings and other spots. I find that a sturdy u-lock through the frame and front wheel is best for eliminating vulnerable gaps between lock, bike and rack. This also helps keep your bike upright as other people use the rack.
2. Start a Commuter Challenge
I’ve personally resisted getting a cycling computer. I’m a little too competitive and really want to keep my eyes on the road. But, if you find your commute getting stale, then why not strive to make the best time possible or work out how to catch every green light?
3. Motivate a co-worker to commute by bike
You could start by taking them with you on a ride one weekend. Show them your route when the roads are less busy. Unfortunately, no one at my office joined me last year… but walking in all sweaty with a bike in tow certainly got us talking about something new.
4. Join your local advocacy group
In Toronto you can start by joining the Toronto Cyclist Union. Joining is a great start, but getting active and participating in events or volunteering is even better. My goal is to do more with the Union now that I’m a proud member.
5. Take photos to inspire others and yourself
There are more than 2,000 photos in the BikingToronto Flickr Pool… why not help us reach 3,000? Edit: As mentioned in the comment below, the pool is now approaching 4,000!
6. Setup a commuter zone
My bike accessories once filled a small tupperware container. Now, I have a dedicated shelf near the door where I keep bungees, gloves, lights, the odd tool and helmets. Making space for your bike stuff, and making it accessible, are a great way to remind yourself that it’s better by bike.
7. Practice preventative maintenance
Not sure what to do with those tools a family member gave you over the holidays? Make a visit to Bike Pirates or the Community Bicycle Network and learn how to fix your own bike before it decides it no longer wants to go. If you live in Toronto’s East end, why not get involved in starting a DIY shop as well?
8. Invest in your gear
It’s certainly not necessary to have a full cycling wardrobe. But, adding pieces like waterproof gloves, a waterproof jacket or even shoes can help make your commute more enjoyable no matter what the weather is like.
That’s all 8… but I’m certain there are many more. What are your 2010 cycling/commuting/living goals? Share yours in the comments below.
Brr!
Joe T.
Duncan H