Steve's Cycling Blog
I was recently asked about the difference between different bicycles and what each type of bike is best suited for. When I thought about these questions, I considered my own selection of bicycles and the specific purpose of each bike that I ride. I also thought about the question: If I only had one bicycle, … Continue reading What kind of bicycle(s) do you need?
First, a bit of history: I started cycling in the 1990s as a mountain biker (discounting rides around the neighbourhood as a kid). I used to ride once a week in Dundas Valley before mountain biking was popular. When I joined the Waterloo Cycling Club in 2002, I bought a used road bike and joined … Continue reading The Simple Pleasures of Cycling on Gravel Roads
When I first took interested in bikepacking, a Google search took me to a review of a bikepacking adventure by a guy named Miles Arbour. In 2016, he rode a system of trails and roads called the Central Ontario Loop Trail, or COLT. His article got me interested, and my brother Greg and I started … Continue reading Bikepacking the Central Ontario Loop Trail
In my hometown of Kitchener-Waterloo, we've been extremely lucky to have one of the best mountain bike trail systems in Ontario. The Hydrocut has been a favourite mountain-biking destination for many years, with as many as 40,000 riders visiting each year. I first rode these trails more than 20 years ago (around 1992) when I … Continue reading Mid-summer mountain biking at the Hydrocut
In addition to cycling, one of my favourite outdoor activities is camping. Since I was a kid, travelling to different provincial parks in Ontario has been a big part of each summer. This past weekend, I spent a couple of days at Awenda Provincial Park, near Midland-Penetanguishene, on the shore of Georgian Bay. As usual, … Continue reading Cycling at Awenda Provincial Park
When I started my quest to have 50 memorable bike rides in my 50th year, I purposely avoided any specific goals. I also avoided the use of the word "epic", since it's relative. I simply wanted to have 50 rides that were memorable to me. And "memorable" could mean any of the following: A new … Continue reading Ride 50! Bikepacking to Turkey Point
It doesn't seem like too long ago when I only needed one bike. My rides were to and from school, or friends' homes. My bike riding season was spring until fall, when I'd put the bike away over the winter. I'd ride only on roads, sidewalks (gasp!) and paved trails. This was on a road … Continue reading How many bikes is too many?
One thing I haven't written about in this blog since I started it a little over a year ago is my "day job". I may have mentioned that I'm in engineer (so I like numbers), but I apply those engineering skills to water. When I'm not riding my bike, cleaning/tuning my bikes or thinking about cycling, … Continue reading Water, water everywhere
My previous blog post was about the 2017 Steaming Nostril/Runny Nose event a few of days ago. I don't do a lot of racing, so when I do, these events tend to stick in my mind for a few days (maybe because my body is still reminding me of the effort). I am not a racer … Continue reading More on the Steaming Nostril 2017
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