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Fuel for Cyclists

By Sheila Ascroft

What to eat (and drink) on a long bike ride depends on your stomach. And, like fingerprints, no two stomachs are the same. The choice depends as much on what your digestive tract can handle as the cost, convenience, effectiveness, or taste. Some people I know do fine on Fig

Read more . . . Fuel for Cyclists

May 27th, 2010 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

What Causes Pinch Flats?

By Laurel-Lea Shannon

A pinch flat happens when you ride over an obstacle like railroad tracks or a pothole and the inner tube gets pinched by the rim of the wheel. The tire isn’t punctured the way it would be if you had ridden over a nail or glass. You can recognize

Read more . . . What Causes Pinch Flats?

May 26th, 2010 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

BPA-Free Water Bottles—2010 Update

After last year’s foofaraw about the health risks of BPA (bisphenol-A), two companies, Polar and CamelBak, have come out with new insulated water bottles designed for cyclists. Insulated water bottles keep water cooler twice as long as standard plastic bottles.

Polar’s water bottle is made of LDPE, low density polyethylene,

Read more . . . BPA-Free Water Bottles—2010 Update

May 25th, 2010 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Bicycle with Care & Be Helmet Aware

Bicycle Helmet TIPS from CSA International

With the City of Toronto’s Bike Month 2010 officially scheduled to begin on Monday, May 31, an increased number of Torontonians will be taking part in related cycling activities. While legislation in Ontario requires all bicycle riders younger than 18 to wear a certified helmet, CSA

Read more . . . Bicycle With Care & Be Helmet Aware

May 19th, 2010 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Canada’s first “3 foot” Bicycle Safe Passing Law to be Introduced in the Ontario Legislature

Burlington, Ontario – Media are invited to attend a rally at Queen’s Park in support of safe cycling legislation in Ontario. On Tuesday, May 18 the Share the Road Cycling Coalition in partnership with cyclists and cycling advocates from the Toronto Cyclists’ Union will join NDP Transit critic Cheri DiNovo

Read more . . . Canada’s first “3 foot” Bicycle Safe Passing Law to be Introduced in the Ontario Legislature

May 18th, 2010 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Rally in Support of Canada’s first 3-foot bicycle passing law

Share the Road Cycling Coalition has been working on a 3-foot passing law for over a year with the NDP and now it’s finally happening. On Tuesday, May 18, NDP Transit critic Cheri DiNovo will introduce a private members bill requiring vehicle drivers to give 3-feet of clearance when passing cyclists.

So-called “3 foot

Read more . . . Rally in Support of Canada’s first 3-foot bicycle passing law

May 14th, 2010 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Nuts Prevent Heart Attacks

By Dr. Gabe Mirkin

A review of 25 studies shows that eating nuts (including peanuts) lowers cholesterol to help prevent heart attacks (Archives of Internal Medicine, May 10, 2010). Eating an average of 2.5 ounces of nuts per day lowers total cholesterol 5.1 percent, LDL (the bad cholesterol)

Read more . . . Nuts Prevent Heart Attacks

May 13th, 2010 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Gale Bernhardt — Training for a Century

Gale Bernhard has coached and instructed athletes since 1974. An elite-certified USA Cycling Level I Coach, she has also served as the Chairperson of the USA Triathlon National Coaching Committee for five years. Bernhardt was selected to be the USA Triathlon team coach at the 2004 Olympic Games and has traveled

Read more . . . Gale Bernhardt — Training for a Century

April 30th, 2010 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Preparing For A Cycling Trip

Jacqui Snyder
AdvenTourUs

If you’re venturing out on a cycling vacation, there is nothing worse than being left behind by the pack, feeling that you’re holding up the group, or pushing yourself so hard to keep up that you can’t enjoy the surroundings or the company─or worse, incurring an injury as a

Read more . . . Preparing For A Cycling Trip

April 29th, 2010 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Fundraising for the Coast to Coast Sears National Kids Cancer Ride

By Catherine Bancroft

When I first started fundraising, $30,000 seemed like a huge amount of money to have to raise. I work full time, and I knew it would be a challenge to fit in the time to raise donations for this ride, train, and to eat enough to train—which means shopping all

Read more . . . Fundraising for the Coast to Coast Sears National Kids Cancer Ride

April 29th, 2010 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

HybridBackPack Review

By Laurel-Lea Shannon

I recently took the HybridBackPack for a spin. Don’t be misled by its name. This is not a backpack. It’s a bike carrier accessory that allows commuters to safely and easily carry backpacks, briefcases, laptop cases, shoulder bags, and small boxes on a bike rack. For

Read more . . . HybridBackPack Review

April 28th, 2010 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Bike with Team Diabetes

Join Team Diabetes in an exciting 24 hour mountain bike race in Albion Hills.

Team Diabetes participants fundraise at least $500 for the Canadian Diabetes Association and will receive an official Team Diabetes racing jersey and enjoy access to the reserved Team Diabetes tent area. To learn more about Team Diabetes and upcoming events,

Read more . . . Bike with Team Diabetes

April 27th, 2010 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Mississippi Mills Bicycle Month & Bike Show

The second annual Mississippi Mills Bicycle Month features everything bicycle –from poetry, to pedalling challenges to people-powered smoothies. This true community effort of individuals, organizations, businesses, schools, churches and government is a creative festival for all ages, abilities and interests – and it’s just 20 minutes west of the city of Ottawa.

Bicycle Month

Read more . . . Mississippi Mills Bicycle Month & Bike Show

April 27th, 2010 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Maritime Bike Tour

 

On July 28th, 2010, 25+ cyclists will leave Halifax, Nova Scotia and embark on an amazing adventure, touring the Maritime Provinces. Cyclists will have the opportunity to cycle through three provinces known for their rugged coastlines and distinct Maritime Culture (PEI, NS and NB). The tour will start at the

Read more . . . Maritime Bike Tour

April 23rd, 2010 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Pedaling Feat

Melanie Arsenault and Lisa Ranken are about to embark on the journey of a lifetime. They will cycle across Canada in hopes of raising awareness and funding for cancer research. They are not professional athletes, nor are they seasoned cyclists. In fact, both Melanie and Lisa tried road biking out for the first

Read more . . . Pedaling Feat

April 21st, 2010 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Sheila Ascroft’s Bicycle Maintenance Check List

A bike only has a few basic parts and a finite number of problem areas. If you don’t mind getting your hands dirty, you can do some bicycle maintenance yourself. Here is a checklist to get you started:

▲ Are there any strange noises when riding? Check all bolts and tighten where

Read more . . . Sheila Ascroft’s Bicycle Maintenance Check List

April 15th, 2010 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Sleek, Secure Bikestation Leads the Way

Washington, D.C.’s Union Station is leading the way in secure parking for bicycle commuters. The beautifully designed bikestation can securely park up to 100 bicycles, and offers rentals, bike repairs, lockers, and change rooms.

April 14th, 2010 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Awesome Land: Women of Dirt

ShortHills Cycling Club presented Niagara’s premiere viewing of the movie Awesome Land: Women of Dirt on April 28th, 2010 at The Funky Monkey Bar & Grill, 129 Main Street West, Port Colborne, ON.

The sport of mountain biking has long been a male dominated sport and until recently all forms

Read more . . . Awesome Land: Women of Dirt

April 13th, 2010 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

A Delicate Matter: Cycling and Genital Problems

When Cycling Hurts – OUCH!

By Laurel-Lea Shannon

Cycling and male impotence is a familiar topic but we seldom hear about the long list of gynecological problems women cyclists can encounter.

It’s well known that time spent in the saddle can affect your sexual health. Male cyclists suffer everything from

Read more . . . A Delicate Matter: Cycling and Genital Problems

April 13th, 2010 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Bike Fit 101

By Monika Blewett

Whether you’re planning to buy a new bike this year or getting your trusty steed ready for another great cycling season, proper bike fit is essential for comfort and to prevent injury.

First, make sure your bike shop has helped you select the correct frame size. After that, you can make several adjustments -that

Read more . . . Bike Fit 101

April 5th, 2010 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

“Around the World on Two Wheels” Adapted for the Big Screen

Screenwriter and producer Amanda Costa has purchased the book rights to Peter Zheutlin’s Around the World on Two Wheels for adaptation for the big screen. The book recently captured the public’s eye and made Annie the darling of the international cycling community.

Zheutlin’s historical tale, set in 1894, recounts the journey of the first

Read more . . . “Around the World on Two Wheels” Adapted for the Big Screen

March 29th, 2010 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Spring into Training

By Gillian Scobie

Photo by Jerry Manco of JLM Studio

Some of you have been slogging away all winter on your trainers. Others have been skiing, skating or running. Now it looks like spring is finally here. Time to get back on your bike—outside! I talked to Jenny Brown, owner of Reactivated Personal

Read more . . . Spring into Training

March 29th, 2010 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Training for the Sears National Kids Cancer Ride

By Catherine Bancroft

When I was accepted as one of 50 cyclists for the coast to coast Sears National Kids Cancer Ride September 2010, I made a commitment to get my body ready to cycle an average of 180 km/day, for 16 days, at an average speed of 32 km/hour. In previous years I

Read more . . . Training for the Sears National Kids Cancer Ride

March 29th, 2010 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Bike Fix: Look, Listen and Feel (Podcast)

Look, Listen and Feel – Part 1

KT Misener tells you how to look and listen to your bike, so you know when it needs maintenance before a break down on the side of the road. Learn how to oil the chain, and how to do a safety check on

Read more . . . Bike Fix: Look, Listen and Feel (Podcast)

March 19th, 2010 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Want a Dutch Bike to Ride Around Town on?

By Laurel-Lea Shannon

Look no further. Republic’s Plato Dutch bicycle is a mix of retro styling with modern whimsy, and it’s affordable. Their slogan, built by you & us may strike fear in the heart of most women, but don’t drag out the wrench set yet. Republic does 90%

Read more . . . Want a Dutch Bike to Ride Around Town on?

March 19th, 2010 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *