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 readingAuthor: cmkl
cmkl: 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.
Continue readingcmkl: Looking for your support
We’re right into the cycling season now and it’s time for me to seek your help raising money for the Toronto Sick Kids Foundation and for Parkinson’s research at the University of Ottawa. I reckon I’m heading out into the rain for a training ride today so some moral support
Continue readingcmkl: cmkl 2018-03-03 17:32:12
None of us knows when our time will come. We need to live bravely, love fiercely, and hold on to the things that matter. We need to tell those we care for how much they mean to us, and to do those things we always wanted to do. No matter
Continue readingcmkl: The revolution you ask for
When I was in high school studying European history we studied revolutions and explored the age-old hypotheses of whether they are brought on by rising or declining expectations. Did people come together to make change because they feared things were getting worse, or because they saw that things could get
Continue readingcmkl: UNIFOR vs the CLC vs ATU vs UNITE-HERE vs what the hell are we doing here?
I’m no longer in the business, so take this rant with a bucket of salt and an understanding that I have no actual, credible insider information but I see UNIFOR’s Leave the House of Labour™ move as a short term tactic to win changes to the Congress’s raiding rules which
Continue readingcmkl: Laurie Kingston
My friend of about 25 years, Laurie Kingston died this week after a long battle with breast cancer. I have boundless respect and admiration for her and she will always be a role model to me. Much has been written about her and the story I would tell involves how
Continue readingcmkl: December 6th: post until it’s fixed
I wrestled with the idea of writing yet another December 6th post. When I worked for uniondom, the copy-paste platitudes we posted every year on this date and many others really frustrated me. And yet here I was contemplating the same thing. And I think I decided that I would
Continue reading