A dollar per kilometre. This year I’m taking it to 2K. Be part of this journey. I just bought my kid her first road bike. She’s put 65km on it since we brought it home 48 hours ago. I love biking and I love hanging out with my daughter.… More
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cmkl: Brandt-Sorenson upcycled jersey
Back in February I sent the Los Angeles-based boutique cycling gear company an old event jersey and $250 and asked them to upcycle it into something that I would actually wear. I got it in the mail the other day. It took a lot longer than expected, but in February
Continue readingcmkl: Punjabi Poutine — Jagmeet Singh thank for changing my world
In October 2019, in a master stroke of campaigning genius the federal NDP let Jagmeet Singh out of the cloister of earnest policy pronouncements and righteous indignation with Punjabi Poutine. A short video about how to make a brilliant fusion of South Asian and Québecois cuisine. It’s been a staple
Continue readingcmkl: The cycling I’m doing during the COVID-19 lockdown
There are countries where the distancing and isolating measures enacted include a total prohibition on cycling. But Canada isn’t one of them. And until Theresa Tam or Vera Etches tells me not to, I’m going to ride outside. Read more
Continue readingcmkl: What to do with the event jerseys
Do you have a drawer full of cycling event jerseys that you never wear? I do. You know the type. Cheap and cheerful, festooned with logos, ill-fitting and suffocating. Can’t give them away. But Brandt-Sorenson will make them into a new jersey for you. That fits. That breathes. That you
Continue readingcmkl: Road biking in Umbria
A world full of beautiful back roads wending their way through valleys, fields, medieval hilltop towns, up mountains. Umbria is a great place to ride. It’s known mostly for food and festivals. Where I was, the countryside is dotted with agri-turismo places — basically farms where you stay the night,
Continue readingcmkl: Palaces for the people
We need to stop obsessing with ‘cheap’ if we’re going to get anything done. Ottawa’s LRT is a screaming example. Read more
Continue readingcmkl: Kiosk – Mouse – Maple: twelve years later
In 2007 my loving partner offered to look after our toddler while I got back in the canoe for a few days. This is the story of me doing the same trip I did all those years ago. Only this time with kiddo in the boat. Read more
Continue readingcmkl: Bike trainers: one way to pedal when life intrudes
A strange question for August in Canada — how do I choose an indoor bike trainer. But life intrudes and the question came from a friend whose work precludes riding at any time other than late at night. I have another friend who has joint custody of three young kids.
Continue readingcmkl: Leave nothing on the table: Great Cycling Challenge Canada
Donate today and some well-heeled campaign sponsors will match it. Up to $500,000 It’s a cardinal sin to leave money on the table. That’s one of the things I learned in 24 years as a union staffer. And I think the same applies here. There’s some very affluent, well-placed donors
Continue readingcmkl: A dollar per kilometre: Great Canadian Cycle Challenge
This June I’m riding the Great Canadian Cycle Challenge to raise money to help the Sick Kids Foundation fight cancer. Participants pledge to ride a certain distance and raise a certain amount. I’m aiming to ride 1500km and raise $1500. Read more The post A dollar per kilometre: Great Canadian
Continue readingcmkl: Cycling safety: attitudes before infrastructure
There I was, riding south down Farmers Way. I was doing a workout, going somewhere between 36 and 40km/h — half the posted speed limit — in the middle of the southbound lane. If you don’t happen to know Farmers’ Way, it could easily be called Farmers Out of the
Continue readingcmkl: A cyclist who skis
Why I’m happy about coming in 149th at the Gatineau Loppet. Read more The post A cyclist who skis appeared first on cmkl.
Continue readingcmkl: Almost 30 years since the Montréal massacre — time for a new national feminist organization
That’s basically two more generations of girls who’ve grown up fearing for their safety on dates, walking home at night, going to pubs or class or for that matter coming home for dinner. Read more The post Almost 30 years since the Montréal massacre — time for a new national
Continue readingcmkl: Conley trial illustrates the problem with the Laurier Bike Lane
The criminal trial of the driver who killed a cyclist as she was travelling on Laurier makes me think the real crime is the bike lane itself. Read more The post Conley trial illustrates the problem with the Laurier Bike Lane appeared first on cmkl.
Continue readingcmkl: Something to wear on the wrist: Garmin Instinct first impression
I have been looking for a more versatile thing to wear on my wrist that doesn’t cost a month’s wages. I need it to track long cross country ski efforts, the occasional run, hiking, and to be a backup on canoe trips. I am aware that all of these activities
Continue readingcmkl: Commentariat 2.0: software needed
Despite being a fringe element the extreme right dominates social media. We who would increase peace and fight bigotry and xenophobia can fight back. But we’re going to need software. Read more The post Commentariat 2.0: software needed appeared first on cmkl.
Continue readingcmkl: Garmin Vector 3 pedals: the achilles screw
A really small screw went missing on my Garmin Vector 3 pedals a month or two ago. A tiny, rare screw. But not so tiny that you don’t miss it when it’s not there. Read more The post Garmin Vector 3 pedals: the achilles screw appeared first on cmkl.
Continue readingcmkl: The tenth annual Martin – Chris trip: the trip report is posted
The tenth annual Martin-Chris trip is in the books. And the chatty, data nerd-friendly log is posted. Heavy weather, long days and no wildlife. Apart from the two party animals in the canoe. Read more The post The tenth annual Martin – Chris trip: the trip report is posted appeared
Continue readingcmkl: Garmin Vector 3 pedals kept going with baby oil and electrical tape
When my old power meter gave up the ghost, Garmin’s Vector 3 pedals seemed to be the perfect replacement. Little did I know they would be kept working with electrical tape and baby oil. This is a cautionary tale about technology and how to keep from losing all your customers.
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