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Posts Tagged ‘Cycling’

Don’t get SAD: Ride your Bike

Wednesday, December 15th, 2010

I read a story the other day about a young girl that started out every day by looking at herself in the mirror and convincing herself that keep a positive attitude no matter what the day threw her way. She had started it when she was in her teens and had continued this daily repetition into her twenties without fail. As the story goes this little ritual has allowed her to stay positive in the face of more than one or two adversities and has resulted in a very positive life. The reason I bring up this anecdote is because during this time of year it can sometime be difficult to keep a smile on your face; maybe a little mirror time would do us all some good, or is a bicycle ride the perfect cure for the winter doldrums.

When winter rolls around in Vancouver, there are a lot of people that wear a reflection of the gloomy weather on their faces; patience dwindles, moods gray and attitudes droop. There is a scientific term for this, it’s called, ‘Seasonal Affective Disorder’ or SAD – fitting I know. For an unscientific and brief explanation SAD results from the weeks or even months of sunless gloom that blankets the coast here in BC. When people start feeling SAD you can really notice it in the mood of the city, but I think there is a cure. Some people use tanning beds to up their sunshine quotient, but I’m not much on one for the fake-and-bake, others head out on vacation, but that’s can get costly and only holds you over for so long; for me, though, I ride my bicycle.

Some of the best rides I’ve had have been in the grips of winter. Yes, it can be cold and sure it’s wet at times but if you dress properly and have the right gear it can turn a dreary day into an epic adventure. You see, if you are reading this then you probably like to ride bicycles, probably a lot, and when things get a little gloomy there is nothing better than getting out on your bike while others sit and lament on their couch.

It would be easier to stay firmly planted on a buttock cushioning device in front of the moving picture box slipping further into a SAD state, but that will hardly help the condition. No, I recommend a big dose of cycling, to cure the seasonal-blues. Get that bicycle out of the shed, room, garage or wherever it is collecting dust and go for a spin. Repeat if necessary and I guarantee you will keep your smile when others get their frown. And to top it off you won’t have to sit in front of a mirror everyday trying to convince yourself to be happy, you’ll already be there.

Tags: Axiom, Being Happy, Cycling, Riding, SAD, Winter Riding
Posted in Opinion | No Comments »

Curing front derailleur woes: Simple adjustments for blissful shifting

Tuesday, November 9th, 2010

It may just be me but I have never been hugely fond of front derailleur’s, yes I like that they make it easier for me to pedal, but they can be a huge pain in the… well, you know. Often, they are finicky and downright argumentative, resisting adjustments with a stubborn resolve not often witnessed elsewhere. Most of the time (9 out of 10) a quick adjustment to cable tension will coax these little guys into submission and make sure that your bike is shifting with smooth precision.

However, if you start attacking your derailleur with screwdrivers and allen keys, and no knowledge of their function, trying to force it into submission then you may well end up over your head, angry and ready to throw your bicycle off a bridge. If you get to this point, put the screwdriver down, take a deep breath and walk away. When you are ready to look at your bike again swallow your pride and take it to a shop to have someone well versed in the art of wooing derailleur’s help you get back on its good side – there is no shame in doing this, not everyone understands the temperamental nature of front derailleur’s.

Don’t waste your time, ask the hard question: is your derailleur bent?

First thing is first, check to see if your derailleur is obviously bent or damaged; if the answer is yes, then take your bike to your local shop and let a mechanic help you sort it out. I’m sure it happened while you were just riding along (JRA), but don’t tell anyone at the shop that it wasn’t your fault, it grates the nerves of shop staff like you wouldn’t believe. Because there is always a reason your derailleur was bent: there is no such thing as the immaculate bending of a derailleur.

Getting to the Heart: Taking up the slack… cable

Most of the time your front derailleur will be set up properly at the shop you bought it from and the only thing you will have to worry about is cable stretch. Just like a guitar string bicycle cables are wound and during the first few hours of use will stretch making your shifting go a little wonky. For your front derailleur wonky could mean that your derailleur starts rubbing on your chain or maybe your chain will be more resistant to the coaxing of your front derailleur as it guides your chain into larger rings.

This little quibble with your front derailleur is easy to remedy because the people that made your bicycle also included a tool free adjustment in the form of a barrel adjuster (images below) to fix problems that arise from cable stretch. There are three places where you might find this simple adjustment: on the shifter itself, on the cable casing or on the cable guide on your downtube. If your derailleur is slow to move up into a bigger ring then turn the barrel adjuster counter-clockwise in small increments until it feels just right. If you go too far then practice the opposite, turn the barrel adjuster clockwise until your shifting feels good..

Two Notes on cable tension adjustments (Read before adjusting)

If the front derailleur has too much slack and you are maxing out the barrel adjuster adjustment, you can take up excess cable slack by adjusting the cable tension at the cable clamp of the derailleur. With a hand and often dandy 5mm allen key in hand you can get things dialed. Make sure to wind in you barrel adjuster ¾ of the way so that you have some leeway for micro adjustments after you have adjusted the cable slack at the clamp level.

Cable tension can also be used to adjust the derailleur/chain clearance. If you are running three rings the cable tension can be used to adjust derailleur clearance in the middle ring. If the chain rubs when you drop into smaller cogs on the back increase the tension (turn the barrel adjuster counter-clockwise) a little bit at a time until it no longer rubs in the small ring in the back. Double check to make sure that the front derailleur still pushes your chain into the smaller ring up front

Know your limit(s): adjust within it.

Your Front derailleur is been adorned with two limit screw marked L (Low) and H (High) these two little screws control how far your chain can travel to either limit of your derailleur. The “High” controls the big ring: if it is too open then the chain will move past the big ring and fall off, wrapping itself like a snake around your pedal and crank arm – embarrassing. The “Low” controls the littlest ring and just like the Littlest Hobo if you leave it too open when you go to shift down it will run off the ring towards the frame sometimes getting stuck between the crank and the bicycle frame, which isn’t cool like the Littlest Hobo.

Bad simile’s aside if the cable tension is good and the chain leaps off of the big ring with vigor then you need to close the high limit screw. With a small Philips head screwdriver turn the limit screw clockwise a little bit at a time and then double check to make sure your chain is now in check. If the chain won’t make the jump to a larger ring with enthusiasm then you will need to open the limit by turning the limit screw counterclockwise until the derailleur coaxes the chain onto the correct ring. Double check your work and now revel in your mechanical excellence – job well done.

For the little ring the adjustments are the opposite. If cable tension is set up correctly but your chain won’t go down into the little ring, you can open the low limit by turning the low limit screw counterclockwise. If the chain is going too far, close the limit by turning the screw clockwise until it is just right. Again take time to revel on the marvelous adjustment you have just made.

Well, that is the simple explanation on front derailleur adjustment. I have by no means covered everything that can go wrong nor the absolute all in the tricks and tips of keeping it running smooth. If you have any question or would like more information leave a comment and I will do my best to help you out. That goes for any bicycle maintenance questions. Throw them our way and we’ll try and help you get them dialed.

There are many variables and more way to solve problems with this delightfully frustrating piece of equipment but I would have to write a small novel to get through them all. Suffice to say, if at any point you feel like you are sinking the derailleur adjustment boat and find yourself considering throwing your bike out a window in frustration, cut your losses, swallow your pride and go and see your local shop, they can help you out of the muck. But if you have the patience, check out the derailleur guides below, take your time and you will be rewarded with awesome shifting, hopefully. Now go and ride.

Shimano: Installing a front derailleur:

SRAM Derailleur Adjustments:

Tags: Adjustment, Bicycle, Cycling, Derailleur Adjustment, Derialleur, Front Derailleurs, Repairing your bicycle
Posted in Guides, Uncategorized | No Comments »

Vancouver Bike Style Tour

Thursday, October 7th, 2010

Happening tonight at the Calabash Bistro in Vancouver BC. Check out the poster below.

Tags: Bike Style Tour, Cycling, Momentum Magazine, Vancouver
Posted in News and Events | No Comments »

Bike Style Tour: Experience Cycling, Fashion and Party

Friday, August 27th, 2010

Soon, very soon -as in next Thursday- the Bike Style Tour will kick off in Toronto Canada. You may be wondeirng what a Bike Style Tour is, and who could blame you? Not me. This tour is at its core a good time; a gathering of like minded cyclists to enjoy riding, style, culture and great conversations. It is a party, a ride and an experience wrapped in one exceptionally stylish package that will visit three of Canada’s most cycling-centric cities – Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver. Axiom has signed on as one of the tour sponsors and will be at each stop along the way. What else can you expect, you might be wondering? Well, check out the website, and have a look at the ads below, but if you really want to get the full experience, you’ll just have to go to the events.

Tags: Bike, Bike Style, Bike Style Your, Cycling, Fashion, Riding, Style
Posted in News and Events | No Comments »

Two Wheels Shape My Life

Thursday, August 5th, 2010

Sweet, speed embraced freedom
Nothing is as fast as me; two wheels speeding through concrete jungles
I am an urban warrior beating the rat race
As we dodge, duck and weave through a steel stampede, I can’t help but smile
A gap opens and I push the cranks harder just squeaking through

Mother Nature throws her worst at me
Wind whips my face and sheets of rain cascade down trying to hinder me, trying to crush my spirit
I am defiance:
I defy convention,
I defy stereotypes,
And I defy her cold grip to find pure exhilaration
I find focus in the speed, nothing can slow us down, and the rain chills my lips and splashes on my exposed teeth as I grin
Pedal Harder

Winding miles of twisted trails wrap their way around the desolate mountain side
My legs burn, heart pounding, lungs straining for air
Together we dance, my bike and I
Poetry in motion
Flowing, fluid movement, every ounce of energy moves me forward
Across vast landscapes I gorge on the sights, smells and sounds
Turn a corner and roll over the precipice
The descent begins, I dive into bliss

Living in these moments
Two wheels shape my life, my identity
Ups, downs, twists, turns, drops and leaps of faith
On my bicycle I find focus!
I find truth!
I find emotion!
This is my ride, my life and my passion
This is why I love my bike.

Something I wrote as a brochure intro, but it was too long so it never saw print. Rather than see the copy go to waste I thought I would post it here.

-Cadeyrn

Tags: Cadeyrn Craig, Cycling, Cycling Poetry, Pedaling, Riding
Posted in Opinion | No Comments »

Smile, you’re on a bicycle :)

Monday, July 19th, 2010

It was a hot summer afternoon; the sun beat down on the helpless city, relentlessly pushing the mercury higher and higher. Waves of heat poured upwards from the hot blacktop of the streets as drivers sat in their air conditioned cabins, insulated from the burning sun. I was desperately trying to navigate the twists and turns that made up this impossible city labyrinth. I had to meet my sister, who was visiting for the weekend, but fate had carefully arranged a strategic barrage of accidents and backups that would inevitably make me late for my meeting. I had the A/C cranked and was moving at a snail’s pace, I could feel my frustrations begin to boil over, the lid was about to pop.

From the corner of my eye a bit of motion caught my attention; I turned my head to see a cyclist glide by our car with a sly smile spread across his face. He was riding an old, beaten up mountain bike that looked like he had just pulled it out of his garage, where it had sat, unused for the last decade. His old used-to-be-white helmet was certainly not safe anymore and sat crookedly to the left and back of his head. It was blazing hot outside of the car, but he was smiling and I was ready to pull my hair out. I have never missed my bicycle more than at that moment then and there.

When the weather is nice and the traffic heavy there are few better places to be than on the seat of a bicycle. Always quicker than a car and seldom as frustrating as dealing with the masses of angry, impolite drivers, the bicycle is the way to travel. As city’s invest more money into bolstering infrastructure for cyclists it becomes easier and easier to leave the car behind and take the bike instead. And through the efforts of local cycling organizations and active cyclists we are seeing cities take action, creating more inviting places to ride.

On that hot, summer afternoon as the cyclist coasted by me with a smug grin on his face, I was reminded that riding a bicycle in summer is one of the best ways to avoid stress in the city. Not only that, but you will always feel better after a ride. It’s not always possible to ditch the car for pedals but when you can, I guarantee that you’ll be all the better for it. This is one of those moments that always creep into my mind when I hop on my bicycle, and I almost always find myself smiling when I think about it. Because when I pass the cars stuck in traffic I know why the cyclist was smiling that day.

Tags: City Cycling, Cycling, Riding, Riding in the Summer, Summer, Summer Cycling, Summer riding
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A Bicycle can be a Powerful Thing

Monday, April 12th, 2010

It would be hard to say just how many inspirational conversations have been sparked between friends while enjoying a beer after a great ride; the number is probably in the trillions or even kajillions. It really isn’t important, but on just such an occasion a few years ago, a friend who worked at a bicycle shop at the time and I were discussing how cycling can change lives when he told me an interesting story about one of his customers.

On a lazy Saturday, spring afternoon, a year earlier a customer (I have no idea what his name was but let’s call him Mike) came into his store looking for a bicycle. Mike was large man and his physique could only be described as round. Mike was having health problems on account of his rotund appearance, and needed to change his bad habits quickly. At his size, well in the 300lb range, running wasn’t much of an option and dawning a Speedo to burn the calories posed certain aesthetic challenges so he decided that cycling was the key solving his problems.

Mike had a plan: He was going to leave his car at home and every chance he had, and he would use his bicycle to get around. This would burn extra calories and help him shed his extra pounds. He bought a bike that day and vowed to begin his new pedal regime on the Monday. My friend thanked him and watched Mike as he drove away with his new bike stuffed into the trunk of his car. He figured that would probably be the last he saw of Mike, but it wasn’t.

A week later, Mike rode, and awkwardly dragged his bicycle into the shop. His face was bright red and covered in sweat like a large, wet tomato, but he was beaming: “I rode my bike everyday this week,” he wheezed with a bright smile, “It’s getting easier.” That’s all he said, Mike turned, left the store and rode away. Again my friend figured he wouldn’t be seeing much of Mike after that.

But he saw Mike almost every day, riding all over town. Every few weeks, Mike would stop by to get a tune up or new part and each time he did he was noticeably smaller. Every time he stopped in he was a thinner, more energetic and happier. By the end of the summer he was in great shape. No matter where Mike was going he rode his bicycle. His bicycle had changed his life.

I heard this story about ten years ago. I lost track of my friend long ago but the story he told me about how a bicycle changed one of his customer’s lives stays with me to this day; once in a while I retell it over a beer after a great ride. A bicycle can be a powerful thing, and riding one can change almost anyone’s life.

How about you, do you know anyone who has had their life change for the better because of a bicycle? If you have, tell us your story and we’ll post it here on the blog for the world to see. Hopefully it will inspire someone else to leave their car at home and ride a bicycle a little more often.

Tags: Bicycle Fitness, Cadeyrn Craig, Cycling, Fitness, Pedaling to get thin, Riding a Bicycle
Posted in Opinion | No Comments »

Snow, Trains and Bikes … Almost time to ride!

Tuesday, March 23rd, 2010

Winter in Muskoka does not provide good riding weather. I know that in many other places in the country there are brave souls who ride all winter but that is not here. It is not so much about the cold weather but more about the conditions of the roads.

When it does snow, the sanders and salters come out. An enormous amount of grit is dumped on the roads to melt the ice and to allow traction. Nothing can ruin a bike quicker than salt and sand.

So we spend our winters in our dark basements on our trainers dreaming of dry asphalt. We also spend a whole lot of time cross country skiing which is pretty good cross training.

But spring is now here! Even though I still have snow in the front yard, the roads are finally drying out. One good rain will wash the salt and sand away and it is riding season again! By mid April, all things considered, we will be back in full riding season.

So now is the time of year to do some planning. Time to pull out the maps, check you camping equipment list and check out your bike and touring equipment. Is it the year to try a long touring trip or perhaps a long weekend trip instead? Are you able to just leave from you home and plan a looped trip? Or is a trip to a bike destination in the plans? My plans are not all together yet but I will be updating my site and blog at www.davidraithby.com.

There is an interesting way to get out biking being offered in Ontario. It may also be available in other parts of the country. It is called the Bike Train. On schedule days, you can hop on a train with your bike in Toronto and spend a few days touring around another region of the Province. The Bike Train has partnered with other tourism venture and accommodation so it is easy to plan your trip to your needs or to pick a planned trip. What a great way to explore the region next door! Some packages include supported trips complete with guides and transportation of your gear from hotel to hotel. This summer there will be bike trains for Niagara Region, North Bay, South West Ontario and a Toronto/Montreal trip. Plans are in development for an eastern Ontario trip as well as one in Muskoka Region. Visit www.biketrain.ca for more information.

Tags: Axiom, Bike Train, Cycling, Riding, Spring Riding, Touring Ontario, Winter Riding
Posted in David Raithby | No Comments »

Panniers 101: Purchasing the Perfect Pannier

Friday, March 5th, 2010

The noble pannier can be either friend or foe. On the one hand a good, well made pannier can make carrying your gear around much easier, while a bad one can cause all types of headaches. Panniers, which most people would simply call bags that attach to racks on your bicycle, were probably so named to avoid such a long winded explanation, have been around for quite a while. Since the dawn of the two-wheeled transportation thingy we call a bicycle people have needed ways to carry their stuff. And so the famed pannier came to the rescue. But how do you know which of these fantastic creations are the best for your needs?

The Where, When Conundrum?

Where are you going to ride and when? Let me elaborate, when you are looking at pannier bags you should try and set a realistic idea of where and when you will be riding or aspire to be riding. Are you going to restrict your pannier usage to fair weather days, only exposing yourself to poor weather when you have no choice? Maybe you will be riding to work and back 20 kilometers each way no matter what that wily Mother Nature throws your way. Or are you a touring addict, taking to the road for weeks on end each year?

Answering this question will influence your pannier decision in more ways than one. If you ride to work every day you will want something that is waterproof and durable and that can maybe hold your laptop a change of clothes and some food so you don’t need a monstrous touring size bag. If you have a short commute to work and only plan on ridding in nice weather, wear your work clothes on the ride and only need to carry a laptop and some food then a slim purpose built pannier will fit your needs.

You probably get the point; answering this question will make sure you get a bag that will fit your needs and doesn’t under deliver on your expectations. If you have questions then you can always swing by your local dealer for help or advice on the right bags for your needs, or leave a comment on the blog.

But what should you look for when you get to the dealer? There are four main things you should consider when buying panniers bags: fabric(s), construction, size and attachment system.

Constructions and Fabrics

All bags are not created equally. It seems obvious I know but you really do get what you pay for, though, not everyone needs the top of the line. Most pannier bags are made from either Nylon or Polyester fabrics and often feature a denier or Tex number, which refers to the linear mass density of the fabrics, the details of which are beyond the realm of this discussion – just know that as the numbers rise so does the quality, durability and the price. You may also see the name Cordura which is actually a brand name fabric, much like Gore-Tex is to waterproof membranes.

Most of the panniers use coated fabrics making the fabric itself essentially waterproof but the construction or how the seams are joined and the zippers can be the Achilles heel of dry gear. There are three main ways to join fabric: Sewing, hot welding and Ultrasonic Welding.

Sewing is the old school method you learned in home-ec but better; however, this still leaves you with a bunch little holes – perfect for letting water in. Hot welding involves overlaying two fabrics and joining them with heat, creating a seal and is often found on dry bags and higher end water proof bags. The final and most technical and expensive, not to mention coolest sounding is Ultrasonic Welding to join the materials using sound. But when looking to keep water out there is more.

Going that extra mile, top end panniers will feature taped seams and waterproof zippers which will ensure your gear stays dry. Many mid end bags come with covers, but if you are concerned about staying dry drop the extra coin for the Gucci gear: it will last longer and make sure your stuff stays dry.

Attachment Systems

There are many systems out there and even more opinions on which are the best. The most widely accepted systems come from a company named Rixen Kaul, which effectively combine ease of use with durability. Many companies have their own proprietary attachment systems or use a combination; Axiom uses their Posi-Lock system on most bags and started using the Rixen Kaul on the top end gear for 2010. When looking at attachment systems it is always a bonus if the pieces are replaceable, just in case you run into a problem like a broken clip. When looking for panniers go to your local shop and try out a few bags to see which best suit your rack.

Size Matters

I’m sorry for the overused cliché, but it seems apt for this situation. If you aren’t going to be carrying a lot of stuff then buy a smaller pannier. Extra size will leave you with awkward and cumbersome bags and a lot of empty space. Go back to the Where, When conundrum and use your answers to gauge how much space you need.

If you made it this far you have read over 800 words on bicycle panniers. Wow. I know there is more to cover but I don’t know how much longer you want to read about panniers. If you want to know more leave a comment and I will dive deeper into the pannier void. The next step is to go out and find your perfect pannier, get on your bicycle and go for a ride.

Tags: Axiom, Buying Panniers, Cycling, Pannier Technology, Panniers, Riding
Posted in Guides | 3 Comments »

See it again for the first time: Why cycling is the only way to see your city.

Monday, February 15th, 2010

When you are speeding by, behind the wheel of a car, hopefully paying attention to the task at hand -aka driving- you miss many of the sights your city holds. Architecture, art, scenery, and more zip by; you may never fully get to know your city in a car. But luckily there is such a thing as bicycle, and one of the best things about cruising around the city on one is that you get to take in the full experience. You can stop and enjoy the sights, people and sounds with a richness you just don’t experience by car.

A couple of weeks ago Dustan, the Norco Marketing Coordinator, and I went downtown to get a few pictures and managed to stumble across a host of interesting places that you just wouldn’t see unless you were traveling by foot or pedal. Being that there is a major event in our city right now and led by the fact that everyone likes to look at pictures I thought I would share some of the images we managed to get while downtown. Hope you Enjoy!

Cadeyrn_Craig_Axiom_Mace_Indie Shoot (1 of 32)