Travel - I Love Bicycling

Learn To Commute Without Getting Sweaty

September 28, 2016 by Adam Farabaugh

A big challenge to riding to work is doing the commute without getting sweaty. You don’t want to show up to work all hot and sticky and not ready to work let alone not being comfortable. Who likes sitting in sweaty clothes waiting patiently for them to dry? Some commutes are simply too long and/or too strenuous to not get sweaty so when that’s the case, you need to be prepared with what you’re going to do. Potentially getting sweaty on your way to work is not a reason not to ride to work. It’s an easy fix and the benefits are great, you’ll be glad you figured out how to arrive comfortably at work.

How Far and How Hilly?

The first thing to take into consideration just for the commute itself is how far is it and what’s the terrain like between home and work. If it’s more than a five mile ride or there is a considerable hill or multiple hills that you need to get over, you will want to wear different clothes for your commute; more on that below. Also, you will want a bike that is easy enough to pedal such as a dedicated commuter, hybrid, road, or cross bike so you are the most efficient on speed and effort.

What’s the Weather?

Another big factor with how to commute without getting sweaty is the weather. If it’s 90+ degrees it’s going to be difficult to even take a breath without it causing you to get sweaty. If it’s cold, you are going to have to make sure you wear extra layers but not too much as you are sweating by the time you arrive at work. Balance is key. Again, we will get into what to wear coming right up.

What Are the Facilities at Your Work Place?

If your work place is less than five miles and you don’t have any considerable hills, you can easily wear your work clothes and not have to change when you arrive. However, if you’re wearing different clothes, you will want a place to change, preferably with a sink, and ideally with a shower. More and more workplaces are incorporating showers and changing rooms just for the commuter cyclist. Is your place of work on board with that yet? If not, bring a small towel and in a bathroom you can lightly clean up. Another good option is baby wipes. They’re small, light, and can just be thrown away saving you the effort of having to take your towel home and wash it.

Options With Your Work Clothes

If you’re going to commute without getting sweaty, there are a few considerations to keep in mind. One is move-ability on the bike. A dress or baggy pants are going to be an issue. It’s definitely been done but riding a bike with a long dress is quite a challenge. It might be a better option for you to bring a change of clothes on days you want to wear a long dress while a shorter dress or skirt can still be ridden in. With pants that have the potential to get caught in the chainrings you can either roll them up, tuck them into your socks, or get one of these handy pant cuffs.

The big thing with commuting without getting sweaty is staying cool. A good way to do that is to keep your shirt unbuttoned a little as well as to roll up your sleeves to maximize airflow.

Options With a Change of Clothes

If you have a longer, more strenuous ride, wearing a different set of clothes is the best option. Pack your work clothes in a bag so they’re ready to go the night before. Then you can wear cycling specific shorts and a jersey if you wish, or simply just different clothes that are cool and functional. Then when you arrive at work, change, cleanup, and you’re good to go.

Effort Level So You Can Commute Without Getting Sweaty

Regardless of if you’re riding in your work clothes or riding in a change of clothes, you don’t want to arrive at work still dripping sweat unless you have a shower available. The trick to this is simply not riding quite so hard on the way there. Make sure you leave with enough time so you can take your time. Enjoy the morning. You’re out riding your bike. Once you get close to work with five minutes or so left in your ride, ease up even more on the pedals so your effort level drops but you still have the wind on you to cool you down. If you do it right, you’ll arrive at work cool and can quickly change or simply walk right in.

Let us know in the comments below what works for you and any questions you might have about bike commuting.

The Art of Flying With A Bike

August 2, 2016 by Corey Davis

You booked a vacation to Europe to tour historical landmarks in one of the greatest months of the year for cycling, July. Two weeks is a long time without riding your bike, so you start looking at rentals and figuring out logistics of how to ride while away. After much discussion and heartache you decide to bring your adopted member of the family along with you, saving you time and money. Bike rentals are expensive and it is difficult to dial in the fit when pushed for time. You’ve decided to take your bike, but how are you going to get it there? Flying with a bike is actually much easier and more convenient than many people think. Below are a few tips on how to make flying with a bike a breeze.

Four+ Weeks Before Flying with a Bike

Unfortunately, you can’t show up to the airport and slap a SeaSucker Rack to the roof of the plane. Luckily, there are plenty of bike cases you can purchase to put your bike in. Pick a box that will accompany your needs in the future as well, because most of them are not cheap. Does your significant other take their bike too or do you have extra wheels you want to carry? Purchasing a double bike case may be more expensive upfront, but will save you money at the airport by only having to pay for one box. Also, cases are different sizes depending on how much work you are willing to do. A smaller box may require you to remove the fork, handlebars, seat post etc. while larger boxes may only require you to remove the front wheel. The Oru Case, or the “airport ninja” is one of the more popular bike cases. The Airport Ninja is smaller and very discrete which can help save on airport fees.

One Week Before the Flight

Make sure to take the bike by your trusted local bike shop to get a tune-up and ensure everything is running properly. Landing somewhere with a worn-out chain and stretched cables is unacceptable. The trip has already been planned in advance so leaving with a well-tuned machine is a must. No one wants to waste his or her vacation time running from bike shop to bike shop looking for break pads. Pick up an extra derailleur hanger too; those things have a special gift for bending during flights and each one is specific to the frame making them difficult to get Ask your local shop if you don’t know what one is but do so a few weeks ahead as it may need to be ordered.

24+ Hours before the Flight

After hunting the last KOM on your home turf before leaving for vacation give the bike a good wipe down and double check that everything is good. One of the most important steps of flying with a bike is making sure to properly pack the bike. It’s never a bad idea to grab some extra packing foam from the bike shop, double protection is great for this cause. Packing the bike will differ depending on which case, but watching videos of other people using the same case can simplify the process. Once the bike is packed, evaluate how much space is left in the bag and start cramming more stuff in to fill the empty space. Water bottles, training food, and essential tools for putting the bike back together are great items to fill the extra space. When flying with a bike, never pack your cycling shoes or helmet in the bike case! Cycling shoes are one of the most user specific pieces of gear that a person owns. Shoes can take weeks to position cleats back to their original point and can cause serious injuries if not aligned properly. If the airline losses the bike for a couple days you can always count on Plan B and rent or borrow a bike until yours arrives, but shoes are irreplaceable. Also, remember to remove CO2 cartridges from the saddlebag, they will be confiscated by TSA.

At the Airport

By no means is I Love Bicycling insinuating readers should lie about what is in their bike case when flying with a bike, but discretion is highly advised. Airlines have been known to charge up to $250 for a bike one way! Yet a piece of “oversized luggage” may only cost $25-$50 per way, your choice. A few good ideas to answer, “What is in the large case?” are “sporting equipment”, “medical equipment”, or “art”. All honest answers in there own right. These responses have worked in the past but will depend primarily on the airline’s staff. Have the bag marked fragile and offer to carry it to TSA yourself. The less time someone else handles your bike the better the chance it makes it out alive. Arrive a bit earlier than normal when flying with a bike; this process can take awhile and rushing around an airport is never fun or good for recovery.

Upon Landing

Typically when flying with a bike the case is considered oversized and will be waiting at a different location than normal baggage claim. Everyone is in a hurry to leave the airport upon landing, but it is highly advised to open the case at the airport and make sure nothing was damaged during the flight. If something did break, head to the airlines customer service and file a complaint. Some airlines will replace what was broken, but most are not held responsible. If the airline states they are not responsible for the damage, file a formal complaint and contact someone at the airlines corporate office for reimbursement for all or part of the damage. Bike cases are built tough and if you properly packed the bike there is not much to worry about.

Remember to follow these simple steps when flying with a bike to reduce stress and ensure everything goes according to plan. Waiting until the last minute is a horrible idea when flying with a bike; preparation is key. Hopefully these tips help for the next time that you’re going to be flying with a bike and that you can enjoy your own bike on vacation!

Confessions of a MTB Dirtbag: SingleTrack 6 Review: Day 5, Golden

July 27, 2016 by Ryan Taylor

Stage 5 wrapped up in Golden today, and what a great one. Today was the shortest stage of the race, a mere 30km, and 1050m elevation gained. It was a true mountain bike race in that it was all mostly janky singletrack. You really had to be on your toes all day. Most of the elevation gained was in the first hour where we climbed up a new climbing trail that is made up of 484393489 bermed switchbacks. Luckily it was under the covering of the lush forest, and other than the horrible pain was quite pleasant.

Usually toward the end of the climbs, I am the only one in the group who is yelling at the climb in anger, but today there were a few others doing the same! Once we crested the top it opened up into a great ride.

One thing Ive learned about this race is that there is no easy gifts, or hiding from the climbing. There is never a part where you are ‘oh my I just gained that missing 500m and didnt notice.’ Nope. The trick is to never look at your ‘meters gained’ on your computer because its never as high as you want, and then you just wait until you go around a corner and there is a 20% thirty minute climb.

Which brings me to today’s stage being the shortest. The reason it is the shortest is because tomorrow is an absolute monster.

The Death March.

Last Day. Everyone is tired. Everyone has had at least 1 bad day, or a mechanical or whatever. Tomorrow is the last day but it has the potential to be the most memorable one. 1650m elevation gain, 57km with a 3km timed decent. Its going to be a monster. Im at the point where I dont care about how hard the stage will be tomorrow. This event has been truly epic in that you get broken down and rebuild again and again and again. There is constant chatter in your brain about ‘just a little farther’ ‘just pedal’ ‘its hard for everyone else too’ to the point where you feel like you can basically go through anything. Is tomorrow going to suck a lot at times? Shit yes.

They dont joke around about hot sauce selection in Golden.

I got stung in the nipple by a bee yesterday.

Being a man with a healthy man pelt on my chest, I forgo base layers as they are too hot. So, usually I fly with the zipper fully open, and by god getting stung in the nipple hurts.I don’t mind the odd nipple twist in bed, but not when I am railing one of the rockiest and knarliest decents in British Columbia. It is a major distraction.

Cedar Lake

As mentioned, Golden is a great place. Live music, great beer, great food. great geople, great riding. After the stage today I took my daily shower, but today in Cedar Lake. If you are swinging through this area I would recommend camping up there, as its beautiful and a little isolated.

The Guys in the Woods

Im not talking about the ‘guys in the woods’ that your parents told you to stay away from when you were a kid. For the past few stages there have been 2 guys hanging out in the trails yelling at racers. One stage they offered whisky shots! At the time I passed on it as I couldn’t remember my own name and it was 31 degrees out, but the next day they had a beer feed. Since I was feeling great I went for the beer feed but then I realized it was a big trick, and the beer was attached to a stick with a string that they pulled out of reach as you went for it! Bastards..

What to pack tomorrow

The editors want this column to be less about my life drama, and more about helpful tips with endurance racing and Singletrack 6. During dinner this evening(which was a great beef stroganoff!) I looked around and felt great about the mountain bike world. Hundreds of people from around the world coming here just to ride some sweet trails, hang out with good people and push themselves. Its enough to make you cry like a big man baby its so good.

However, this love will not get me through 1650m elevation gain tomorrow, so Im going to take 4 gels, and drink a lot of coke and hope for the best.

Confessions of a MTB Dirtbag: SingleTrack 6 Review: Day 4, Kimberly

July 26, 2016 by Ryan Taylor

Kimberley

Kimberley’s stage has come and gone, and as expected it was a great one! After my massive bonk yesterday, this guys legs just didn’t work. Simple as that. For me the day was just to try to survive and get to the finish line.

Luckily there was ONLY 1200m climbing, and ONLY a 15ish minute downhill section which had a lot of flow and minimal climbing.

Today had a great feel to it. It was like a big group ride and everyone I think is past the ‘race’ part and more into the having fun, and riding with good people part!

The trails today were a mix of everything! Kimberley has a great blend of trails from man-made climbing trails at reasonable grades, to single track climbs with a light dusting of pine needles, roots and rocks. The downhill sections were fantastic. There were the typical flowly trails with a great mix of roots and rocks, and then on the other hand you experienced well made mini-park style descents, with fun small jumps and berms. Today had it all. The terrain would be an in-between of Fernie and the Okanagan. Dry, but with roots and rocks and lush in parts.

The ‘Race’

You can feel the fatigue in the group. Although some people have great legs with the odd burst of pep in them…for the most part everyone is tired. Naps are a must, and there is no second thoughts about grabbing the second piece of dessert at this point.

Life is pretty relaxed in Kimberly — Life is pretty relaxed in Kimberley

Today is a transfer day as well, so the final 2 stages are held in Golden BC, about 250km down the road. I chose to drive tonight to save getting up early and throwing in a drive before the race tomorrow. Luckily(thank god) the stage doesn’t start until 10:30 tomorrow.

Golden is a great little place. Ive fallen in love with all these small little towns, and its always good to come back to them. They have all embraced mountain biking and as a result have a very eclectic mix of youth, and great trail networks. Every one is a little different from the other in some small and big ways.

Golden tonight had a free reggae-dance band playing in the streets, with $2 tacos. The whole town comes out and enjoys the evening. Its great!

Pack Mule

For people who are considering this race next year, I thought I would give some insight into what I am carrying with my daily. I would consider myself a bit of a minimalist, and I try to stay away from packs. For this race typically I wear a pair of Specialized ‘swat’ bib shorts which have 3 pockets in the back, and a traditional jersey over that. This way I have 6 pockets.

In total I have been carrying:

-1 digital camera(which took the photo)

-3 gels minimum(I’ve tried to get by with 2 and have been blowing up)

-CrankBrothers multi-tool(after the broken chain, Ive started taking this with me which has almost everything needed)

-29er Tube

-2 CO2 Inflators(I tape them together so they don’t rattle, and sound like a banshee down the trail)

Keep in mind there are aid stations along the way to re-fuel. I would recommend never trying to push through on minimal gels and water. Which I have learned the hard way. After the 3rd or 4th day it starts to catch up with you.

Hot Springs

Along with all of the great mountain biking, beers, hospitality and pain this race offers. Its great to check out the other sights around. Half way between Kimberley and Golden is a free natural hot spring that if anyone is in the area they should definitely check out.

What are your favorite hot springs in BC?! Let us know in the comments below!

Confessions of a MTB Dirtbag: SingleTrack 6 Review: Day 3 Cranbrook

July 25, 2016 by Ryan Taylor

Part of being a MTB dirtbag is mooching off someone when you see a good thing come your way. I gave Bruno the night off and took a friend up on the offer to stay at their place. Pretty sweet spot if I do say so myself! The problem with Bruno I’ve discovered is that the back is simply 3 inches too short leading to ‘the dripping faucet’ effect. No matter how tired you are, the smallest thing(such as 3 inches short of leg room) can keep you painstakingly awake.

Cranbrook

The carnival that is SingleTrack 6 moved 100km down the road from Fernie to Cranbrook which offered a complete 180 from the previous days. The trail today was very dry(like the Okanagan desert) offering punchy climbs and slightly less elevation gain(thank god). Dry, loose, dusty, and rocky trails were on the menu, and 30 degree heat! (86F)

The race started in waves today and because of my bonkings, and broken chain I was relegated to the second group start(of five). This proved to be a blessing in disguise as the pace was redlined, but not puke in your mouth redlined. After the first fantastic decent I managed to grab the head of the pack and didn’t have to deal with any dust, which was a major factor today.

To be honest I thought today was going to be a weak link of the race. I imagined long hot climbs, with boring at best singletrack. This was not the case whatsoever. As lush and green as Fernie was…Cranbrook provided dry, hot dusty trails with great flow. The climbs were punchy and I was left with a shit-eating smile on my face throughout the race. There was a lot of single track today that made up 44km of riding.

Except for when I bonked the worst I ever have my whole life.

I didn’t know it was possible to ride the last 5km that slow. There were a good 5 punchy climbs within that 5 km and I had to walk most of them. I simply couldn’t pedal on my bike. I was absolutely knackered. Probably 25 people passed me. It was terrible! It was like being in a dream where you cant run away from something, but for me I couldn’t make it to the finish line. Terrible. I immediately drank 13 glasses of coke as soon as I got in the pit and flailed miserably into the shade of a nearby tree like a giant man-baby.

Whats with the timed decent?

I need to have a Don Cherry moment here. The timed decent was not a decent at all. There was a lot of climbing within it. If you have a ‘timed decent’ there shouldn’t be any uphill; simple, ripping downhill.

Kimberly, British Columbia

We are now in the fantastic small ski town of Kimberly. I love this place. The main drag is pedestrians only, it has great restaurants…beer..cool shops. Its great! A lot of the architecture is modeled after German styles, so it feels like a small Europe. I am actually excited for tomorrow’s ride as the trails around here are fantastic. My legs are ruined and stiff, so whats another 3 days eh?

Confessions of a MTB Dirtbag: SingleTrack 6 Review: Fernie Day 2

July 24, 2016 by Ryan Taylor

Of course the first person I see in Fernie I owe money to. Drew and I use to work together 10 years ago. I was in a pinch in Las Vegas one year and he loaned me $20, I hadnt seen him since! — Of course the first person I see in Fernie I owe money to. Drew and I use to work together 10 years ago. I was in a pinch in Las Vegas one year and he loaned me $20, I hadn’t seen him since!

I awoke this morning in the back of Bruno feeling the effects of yesterdays antics. Stiff shoulders, stiff legs, stiff back. Whether this is from yesterdays stage, or sleeping in the back of my car is debatable. Luckily I knew what the actual time was this morning. Bruno has developed a constant gas smell, which is little disconcerting considering it is my house this week. It can only make me stronger.

The Meal Plan

I opted to buy the meal plan offered with Singletrack 6. For around $300 they provide you with breakfast and dinner at the ungodly hour of 5:30-6:30 am and pm. Anyone who has raced an event with multiple days knows getting quality food consistently and quickly is a nightmare while trying to juggle 5 different things while also racing a bike! The meal plan is a no brainer in my opinion.

The food has been great, and there is a lot of it! I eat better at this race than I do at home, that’s for sure. But then again, my cats eat better than I do.

Aint no Pain like Champain – Stage 2 of the SingleTrack 6

Today’s Fernie stage started at the local ski resort. Since my cut-in-line technique worked so well yesterday I opted to do the same today and managed to be in the top 1/3rd again. I find if I am friendly and look like I know what I am doing people don’t ask questions.

The race exploded off the line leading into a 500m-gained double track climb. The pace wasn’t as spry as yesterday I felt, as I think there were some sore legs and egos from yesterday’s stage. I bled through my eyes trying to get my 30lb beer gut up the climbs today.

Today’s stage was much different from yesterdays. The course profile looked like shark’s teeth, and although most of the climbing was on a gravel road, there were 4-5 major ones followed by various types of descents.

Today’s stage featured the famous ‘Project 9’ decent which is legendary in these parts. There is even a beer named after it from Fernie Brewing Co!

Project 9 is a fantastic long decent with knarly fast sections that you would expect from a BC trail. The only words that come to mind are ‘flow’ and ‘chunky’.

Really the day was made up of going up, and then down many times. Compared to yesterday’s stage it was a little frustrating for this guy. It provided 1500m elevation gain, but other than project 9 I felt like we lost a lot of hard fought elevation without a ton of quality singletrack time. Lets be serious for a minute though, anything compared to yesterdays stage would be like going from a champagne room stripper, to Pornhub.

Around the 2 hour mark, I blew up! There was no gas in the tank and I was left climbing the final climb covered in my own spit and snot just trying to make it through the day. My idea of taking 1 bottle and hoping it would last for 2 hours failed me miserably. You live and you learn. You would think after 18 years of this shit I would have learned by now.

That being said, there are fantastic aid stations with everything from Coke, to Ultima electrolyte drink to watermelon and gels, but I’m too stubborn to stop. Of course it makes more sense to spend 5 minutes on the trail in the middle of no-where bonked out of your mind trying to find out where your hands are, then to take 30 seconds to fill a bottle and grab a free gel 20 minutes earlier…..hindsight is 20/20.

As of now, while sitting in a bar with a ‘Project 9’ beer in hand, I feel pretty good. I hope this is a good sign of things to come tomorrow. It’s a good game plan to anticipate adapting into form 3rd day into an epic mountain bike race and pull out some strong legs right?

Confessions of a MTB Dirtbag: SingleTrack 6 Review: Fernie Day 1

July 23, 2016 by Ryan Taylor

Wow what a day. Where to begin. The moving carnival that is Singletrack 6 started its wheels in motion today. The small mountain town of Fernie is full of shaved legs, and weird facial hair. There is an audible buzz to the town as hundreds of racers began their day today. Some trying to take on the world one hemp/mocha/glucosamine power shake at a time, and others just trying to earn the post race beer.

Google doesnt know what time zone Fernie is in...which leads to massive panic attacks when race start is 8am. — Google doesnt know what time zone Fernie is in…which leads to massive panic attacks when race start is 8am.

Fernie is fantastic. Ive been here many times and it holds a soft spot in my heart, but to be honest I never got my trail jazz from it until today. Today was epic.

The carnival started at 8am with the likes of many speakers pounding AC/DC waking you up more than an espresso enema. I snuck my way into the first third of the massive group at the start line, where I looked around and I couldn’t see a dropper post in sight. The legs were mostly shaven, and I wondered if this was the party I wanted to be in. Mostly all I could think about was that I forgot to brush my teeth.

Like lemmings off a cliff into the pain train.

A neutral start plowed through Fernie, being led by an old town firetruck where mass carnage and chaos took place as the experienced battled with the not so experienced. On mass, we climbed and climbed and climbed what seemed like forever. Pavement turned to dirt as the vista exploded below as we were in our own personal fight club, inches from the wheel ahead and behind.

Being a BC resident I am use to climbing a lot…..its just part of living here. Your pre-work 1 hour burn ride typically holds 500-700m of climbing. I was not too impressed when I burned a lot of matches just holding the wheel in front of me to start the timed decent after 45 minutes of pain to read the Garmin only had 500m gained…..of 1500m for the day!

Oh god.

No matter. The decent started.

In my previous post, I mentioned that this week was a search for trail enlightenment. Well, everything from here is a bonus. I found trail enlightenment on the first day! It was fantastic. The crew at S6 has put together a truly great day of racing. Almost all of the riding was singletrack and the decents were fantastic. Today’s stage was truly a no puff puff race. When you weren’t descending for km’s at a time, you were riding rollers that felt like a roller coaster. Many times throughout the day I simply screamed with joy to the fright of people ahead and behind me. It was fantastic.

Until I hit the second climb.

The second climb, was far more steep than the first, and after 1.5-2h in the saddle getting your legs, arms, core, and head rocked…it was not a welcome sight! What is life without bringing you to your limits though. Unfortunately I broke a chain at one point and had to run to an aid station(which are fantastically well stocked) to find a chain tool, and in minutes I was back on my way.

I finished the day with another great but shorter, decent to roll in on the brink of being a broken man. My arms burned from pulling on the bars so much while climbing, and also from then railing extended sweet descents. My legs were cooked and my mind fearing how I am going to handle the next few days.

Simply it was one of my best days on a bike. Kudos!

Confessions of a MTB Dirtbag: Singletrack 6 Review: Foreplay

July 22, 2016 by Ryan Taylor

Over the next week I will be writing about my experiences at Singletrack 6, a 6 day marathon MTB race in mountain biking’s greatest hotspot, British Columbia, Canada. Singletrack 6 moves to different locations in BC every year and this year the Rocky Mountains are featured. The event stops in legendary outdoor meccas such as Fernie, Cranbrook, Kimberly and Golden.

My game plan for writing this article is to document the experience of Singletrack 6 as opposed to the ‘race’. The event attracts some of the best high level racers from all over the world, but I am not one of those. I am 30 pounds heavier than when I was a Cat 1 racer, and despite racing thousands of races through my life, I am more interested in the experience and the memories it gives than the race itself. Lets just say this guy will not shy away from the post ride beer. For me, this ‘race’ is an attempt to discover singletrack enlightenment through 6 days in the Canadian Rockies. What I do, what I eat, how I ride is a reflection of that journey.

Meet Bruno – My Home Base for Singletrack 6

No one can find enlightenment staying in a 5 star hotel. For this adventure I wanted to get back to the grass roots of riding, and my trusty(or not so much) 98 Subaru Legacy is the perfect vehicle for that. Instead of camping, glamping, or staying in hotels(S6 offers great hotel packages) I wanted to travel and live in ‘Bruno’. Part of this reason is that I have to make my way to the start of the stage every morning(there are shuttles available from S6) and the other factor is that I didn’t want to move 6 days worth of gear every morning. Bruno would be perfect.

From home base in Penticton, BC to Fernie it is roughly a 7 hour drive. For you International folks reading this, that is roughly driving time from Paris, France to Munich, Germany. Canada is a big place!

Unfortunately, Bruno didn’t like driving through some of the hardest driving conditions North America has to offer, and he lost a small bolt in the caliper of the rear right brake preventing me from stopping and causing a lot of banging noises. After some frantic phone calls and experimenting with the powers of zip ties, I decided to drive the 90km to the nearest town through a Canadian mountain range with only the emergency brake.

After a rain storm and about an hour of finesse braking I arrived at the nearest Canadian Tire, which is basically a do-all hardware store here in Canada. Luckily, Josh helped me out and I was on the road again!

With that bit of foreplay, let the adventure begin!

5 Types & 13 Destinations For A Cycling Vacation

June 16, 2016 by Josh Friedman

You’re tired of the roads that you ride on every day and you have vacation time you would like to use. What better way is there to combine two of your needs than going on a cycling vacation? There are a number of different approaches so depending upon your style and preferences you can find your perfect bliss.

What to Look for in a Cycling Vacation Destination

It is likely that when you are planning a cycling vacation you are looking for something that will be a change of pace from your everyday riding and life. That could mean anything, as long as it is different from your regular grind. Beyond that, what should you look for?

Friendly Roads – Taking the time to travel somewhere and then finding out the roads are filled with belligerent drivers, no shoulders, and bad pavement will be a colossal mistake. Research where you would like to go ahead of time and make sure the infrastructure supports your goals.
Terrain You’re Looking For – After finding good roads, you want to make sure that your cycling vacation destination has the terrain you’re looking for. If you’re a more fit rider and want a challenge seek out someplace with long mountain climbs. If you don’t want to ride uphill for an hour or more, find someplace with smaller climbs and rolling terrain but lots of roads to choose from. If you want flatter rides, seek out the coast, deserts, or scenic farm roads somewhere in the middle of the US.
Cycling Infrastructure – Knowing that there are cycling amenities at your destination can make packing and traveling easy. You will not have to pack extra tubes, tires, energy bars, or other cycling needs. There will also be plenty of cycling specific roads and paths to explore along with people to ride with if you want company on your rides. A place with a built up cycling community will also have shops with quality bikes to rent, meaning you can leave your bike at home and travel lightly.
Good Food – A cyclist runs on his or her belly. Finding a place that will fit your culinary desires is a huge bonus. You will have a good meal to look forward to after every ride.
Culture – You cannot ride your bike the entire day (right?). You are going to need other things to do once you are done for the day. Find some interesting things to do and see in the place you are visiting. The culture is what makes a place and experiencing it by bike is one of the best ways to do so.

Where to Go On A Cycling Vacation

#1 – Someplace You Dream Of

It’s your vacation away from home and your day to day life. Go someplace you dream of riding. Everyone dreams differently but a few awesome places follow.

California is a place many dream of living in or visiting. It has great weather and miles of beautiful roads. For a complete vacation that includes the full cultural experience, stay in one of the three main cities – San Diego in the south, Los Angeles just up the coast or San Francisco in the north.

San Diego is known for Mt. Palomar, a long, challenging climb and Fiesta Island, a flat and safe route that cyclists flock to. Los Angeles has great riding both east up through the Angeles National Forest to Mt. Wilson and Dawson’s Saddle and to the north into the canyons above Malibu. San Francisco may have the most picturesque views of all with rides in the Marin Headlands and Mt. Diablo. All three cities have bustling cycling scenes and cultural amenities to fit every taste.

Colorado is another place that people travel to and wish they lived. There is an incredible amount of variety from flat, ranch land in the east, to 14,000 foot peaks that hold snow virtually year round, to sand dunes in the south, and an endless amount of everything else west all the way into Utah including Zion National Park. You will find breathtaking (literally, you’ll be at altitude) roads and views around every corner. You can stop in little old mining towns that dot the mountains, some barely still there while others are bustling with excitement such as Georgetown. The best time of the year to go is June through the early fall as if you’re looking to get up into the mountains, snow storms can be a regular occurrence during the cooler months.

North Carolina is chock full of exciting things both on the bike and off. The Blue Ridge mountains form an incredible backdrop in the west of the state with Asheville being the mountain town hub of outdoor pursuits. The riding is endless with gazillions of rolling country roads and long climbs up to the Blue Ridge Parkway. The Parkway is an incredible ride but beware of traffic as in the summer months it can be a zoo. Hit it in the off-season if you can otherwise try and ride it mid-week when there are fewer people. The mountain biking is also incredible in this neck of the woods, particularly Pisgah. Off the bike there are endless options from hiking to rafting, to brewery tours, to checking out the sites at the Biltmore Estate.

#2 – Go Watch a Race (in North America)

Here are three options for a cycling vacation to watch races as well as to ride. The first is attend the Tour of Utah in the beginning of August. It is a week long stage race with world class teams over beautiful terrain. Either before or after each stage, you can ride on the roads that the race uses to get the full perspective of what the pros experience. The crowds at the race are tremendous. It is some of the top racing in the US and the weather should be excellent.

The second race is the Philadelphia International Cycling Classic held in the beginning of June. Watching the races are a huge party, especially at the Manyunk Wall. There is a full day of racing to watch with the women’s race part of the UCI World Tour, the top level of racing following the men’s race. There are amateur time trials to compete in the day before if you want to test yourself and the day before you can ride the course and the infamous Wall. Philadelphia is a historic and fun city that will leave you many options from good food to country roads outside the city to interesting cultural sites to check out off the bike. The Liberty Bell, Reading Terminal, and the Art Museum are three must sees.

The third race is the Tour of Alberta held in the beginning of September in Canada. The race course changes year to year but generally starts or ends in Calgary or Edmonton, both cool cities to check out with a cycling scene. The race also heads into the mountains, the Canadian Rockies to be exact, which are some of the most picturesque mountains in the world. There are a few cool rides to do and a lot to do and check out off the bike as well.

#3 – Visit Cycling’s Motherland

An article on taking a cycling vacation would not be complete without a section on visiting the low countries of northern Europe: Belgium, the Netherlands, and Denmark. The cycling infrastructure will blow you mind; it is a way of life. Bikes are a viable and accepted form of transportation. If desired, you could do all of your travel by bike – go to dinner, visit a museum, go sightseeing, whatever you choose.

Cycling is also one of the top sports in these countries so there is no shortage of riding for fun either. There are endless kilometers of cycling routes to take you away from the urban centers to get in an awesome ride. Check out the cobbled climbs of Belgium and the Spring Classics if you’re keen.

#4 – Major US Cities

Many major US cities are making big headway in the acceptance of cycling. Bring your road bike to roll out of the city for a proper ride but use one of the bike share programs to get around town such as Citi Bike in New York City. A large city also doubles as a popular place for the rest of your family to have plenty to do if they’re not riding also.

New York City has made major changes to infrastructure to encourage cycling. It is also relatively easy to get out and go for a ride. Check out Central Park or roll across the George Washington Bridge to jump on the tried and true training routes many New Yorkers use. And there is a never ending list of interesting things to do in New York. You cannot lose.

Another great city to check out is Pittsburgh. The city’s bike share is new and expanding. Be aware that it is built on the hills and valleys of three rivers, so the terrain is very steep. That can be an attraction too. It is a breeze to get out and roll into farm land. There is great food and a thriving cultural community so you will not have a shortage of things to do off of the bike.

Minneapolis, Minnesota is also a cycling heavy city with infrastructure everywhere and plenty of cyclists using it. Check out the rides along the river along with farm roads outside of the city. If you’re looking for gravel roads there’s a lot of that there as well.

#5 – The Local Option

There is probably someplace relatively close to where you live that you have never explored by bike. Chances are that it will be fun and interesting too. It is easy to jump in the car and drive a few hours to explore new roads close to home on a weekend even. You can even camp and keep it cheap. Take a look at a map and see what is in your own region a few hours from home. You may be surprised at just what you can get to and you’ll be wanting to head there every weekend to ride.

Make it a Cycling Vacation

Shake up your routine with a cycling vacation. Visiting new places can wake you to experience everything fully with all of your senses. It can also reopen your mind to what great cycling you have at home and what you would like to improve upon.

Cycling in Cuba

February 3, 2016 by Ryan Taylor

There is an old saying “a man cannot walk into the same river twice, as both the man and the river have changed.”

My entire adult life I have wanted to go to Cuba to explore the small island nation that had stood up against its mighty neighbour, and won…. forming a very unique place in our world.

I wanted to see how its people live their day to day lives after its well known revolution, and in what state the country was in first hand. With Cuba’s communist ways quickly softening, I felt that the sooner I started this adventure the better. The river that is Cuba is quickly changing and, in upcoming years, that change is sure to be in leaps and bounds.

When a friend asked me if I wanted to join him on a 14 day cycling trip in November to Cuba, I quickly jumped at the chance. This trip would be settling two scores for me.

Number one; I wanted to see Cuba at the ground level. The best way to do this is, of course, by bike.

Number two; after a very busy work year I wanted to escape from society, ever so briefly, and simplify my life to riding a bike, seeing good friends, and relaxing. The trip was shaping up nicely.

I was very curious about the north eastern province of Cuba called Holguin. When I put ‘Cycling in Holguin’ into Google, almost nothing came up. I had no idea about its roads, the people, the terrain,…the best rides. All of these were things that I picked up only after I arrived and was able to talk to people and explore.

There are signs of the revolution all over!

Holguin is the area where Fidel Castro was born in the small town of Brian in 1926 and also where he returned to start the revolution with Che Guevara in the early 50’s. Watching movies such as the ‘Motor Cycle Diaries’ or the two movie series called ‘CHE’ before your visit would add a lot of value to your stay as you explore the area.

The revolutionaries lived in the mountains around Holguin for years gaining strength and attacking the American supported Batista regime before overthrowing the government in 1953. While riding in Cuba one is sure to encounter many monuments commemorating Cuba’s very active history.

This would be an average quality road in Cuba.

As soon as I threw a leg over my bike it became apparent that Cuba has great quality roads….but not many of them! This is an area where most transportation and farming are done with horse and carriage. Dirt roads are the veins of this system. Exploring Cuba is best done on a gravel grinder, or modified cyclocross bike. My race ready, DI2 equipped road bike worked great, but to get to the meat and potatoes of Cuba, you need to access dirt roads. Think 30c tires minimum. I felt like there was a hidden world only accessible through exploring these side roads, and for my next adventure I would be sure to take a different bike.

When riding from the resorts you will find your options are either riding ‘left’ or ‘right’ as an out and back on paved roads. This is where the cross bike comes in handy as there are thousands of roads and mountains to explore in Cuba, BUT most of them aren’t paved. That being said if you are there for a week you won’t get tired of the paved routes.

If you are looking for a guide while in Holguin you will be greeted with very capable locals who tend to hang out in front of the resorts in the mornings. Some will be using bikes from the 70’s that should have been retired in that decade. They most likely will be using running shoes, but don’t let this fool you as they are very very strong riders. Most of the cycling gear Cuban’s use has been given to them by visiting cyclists, so expect to see shoes that don’t fit and parts working together that would make Joe Friel cry. Wheels and tires that are so thread bare that these locals are taking their life in their hands using them.

Should you take a selection of jerseys, helmets, parts, tubes or such as gifts, it is greatly appreciated. Most of the gear is distributed amongst the cycling community to those who need newer parts, or those who it fits best.

I stayed on a resort in the North Eastern part of the island. There is a large concentration of resorts in this area, and if you’re looking for a relaxing cycling trip this is the way to go. It is nice to romanticize about touring from one end of the island to the other while sleeping in a tent, and surviving on nothing but bananas and sugar cane. It’s equally nice knowing that after a long day in 30 degree Celsius heat you will have a shower, a bed, a meal and a place to let loose or even relax for the evening.

The resorts use the ‘star’ system most people are accustomed to. Don’t let a low star rating fool you however. The ‘stars’ system in Holguin Cuba doesn’t seem to indicate quality, but rather what type of trip you want, and amenities offered. Out of the blue I stumbled upon a very small resort which was only rated as 1 star, and was very inexpensive, yet beautiful, quiet and the definition of ‘middle of no-where’. The only prevailing noise was the waves from the beach and the wind in the palm trees. Instead of monstrous buildings, we were greeted with individual cabins that ran along the beach. If you were looking for some time to get away with someone special, and hide from the world I would recommend taking the time to check out locations in relation to the beach, and read forums and reviews. Cuba’s lodgings can be diamonds in the rough, and reward people who put in some work in the form of price, quaintness and beauty.

There are all modes of transport in Cuba, cars, bikes, busses, horses, buggies. Everything is utilized.

Cars and bicycles will forever be fighting for real estate, and one of the most interesting parts about Cuba are the cars. They are mostly made up of Russian era Ladas, with a few 50’s Chevrolets thrown in, and the odd Chinese car whose name no primary english speaker can pronounce.

Diesel is the fuel of Cuba, and as a result expect to be covered in grime after every ride. Because a Lada from the 50’s costs the equivalent of $20 000 CDN, you don’t see many cars on the road. Horse and buggy are the primary source of transportation. Overall, riding 2×2 you generally feel pretty safe as drivers seem accustomed to going around horse and buggies.

As expected, the beaches in Cuba are fantastic. The best ones are always the ‘locals only’ ones. Fortunately they are not hard to find. I would recommend Playa Blanco, which also hosts a monument to Christopher Columbus who landed in the area in 1492. It is worthwhile to relax and take some time in this area. There are a number of great ‘for locals’ restaurants, and also ones which have catered themselves to tourists, but in a charmingly Cuban way. These bear no flash or refinements North Americans are accustomed to, and the payoff is incredibly delicious and fresh fish usually caught hours before the meal.

A menu at a roadside restaurant in Cuba.

There are 2 currencies in Cuba. Any tourist can change their currency for the ‘Convertable” where $1 CDN is worth about .75 CUC. To put this in perspective, 1 CUC is worth about $25 Cuban dollars which can buy a bag of cement. Cubans are loaned their land from the government, but have to build on it if there isn’t a house on it. So $1 CDN is a small fortune to them. Only recently have Cubans been able to spend the ‘Convertable’ currency as freely as the Cuban Dollar.

Be sure to tip often. Although there are very few stores while riding through Cuba, there are often people who will sell you a plantain or banana on the side of the road. Even in November temperatures hover in the 30’s with high humidity. 1CUC for a couple of bananas is a lifesaver to both you and the fellow you bought them from.

Make a point to ride through the smaller towns in Holguin Provence. It’s important to remember that this small country primarily trades with other Spanish speaking countries and was put in a tough spot with the fall of the USSR which was its primary supplier of goods, fuel, farm machinery, and other foods. You get a sense that a lot of farmers were forced to revert back to farming with oxen as regular parts and farm machinery left with the Soviets. As a result some things deemed a necessity by North American standards are either too expensive, have long waits to receive it, or are simply unavailable.

The rides for the most part are largely out and backs. If you wanted to do loops, expect to be in the saddle for over 150 km, unless you have a cross bike and a guide. The mapping system that I have seen only covers the larger arteries of the island.

Internet is sparse in Cuba. At the resorts you can typically buy it for around $2 an hour, but getting the cards to give you access is sometimes difficult. It is important to remember this is not a ‘supply and demand society’. The internet is still a new thing in Cuba and most locals simply don’t have ANY access to it. I’ve been told that some civilians do have it, such as doctors, to keep up with current studies and trends.

Overall Cuba is a land of contradictions. It is stuck in its adolescence in the world market, but has a very tumultuous history. As its communist ways soften it has shown its defiance to one parent, while building its relationship with the other, and as a result offers a very unique experience. Cuban history is still very much apparent, and easy to find.

In the next 50 years I feel Cuba will become a power house in cycle tourism. However, the raw, true experience that many want to see, will be watered down with each year passing as Cuba grows and evolves.