.

we're back

2009-12-25T18:46:00.005-05:00

yes, we've been on hiatus-from the blog- because we started up a new project that is a spin off from bike-by-shootings.

check it out here

in the meantime, here's a sample:

félix

2008-12-10T19:36:00.008-05:00

Cyclist: Félix Perron

Hometown: Montreal

Location spotted : Stopped at a fork in the road in Mont-Royal Park

Destination and distance: St-Urbain and Rachel, 4K

Cycling months: From April until the snow comes.

Current ride: A two speed CCM Imperial Mark II. I got from a friend for 40 bucks.

Number bikes stolen: Five or six. This one I haven’t had it stolen yet. That’s why I leave it scrappy.

Number of bike accidents: I had one bike accident where I broke my arm. I was late and going too fast to Côte Vertu. But after that accident, I stopped biking for a couple of years because I was traumatized. For two years I didn’t buy a bike and instead I would get doubled by my friends to get a lift.

When not cycling: I work, I live.

Favourite ride: To go to the top of the mountain.

Thoughts on biking and fashion: I like the style of my bike.

Interesting bike story: Once when biking, I remember feeling really good- like a spiritual happiness.

guillaume

2008-11-22T16:22:00.010-05:00

Cyclist: Guillaume Barré

Hometown: Saint-Etienne, France

Location spotted: Locking his bike to a pole off the Clark bike path.

Destination and distance: Home, 15K

Cycling months: All year.

Current ride: A fixed-gear Soma that’s two months old.

First bike: It was a foldable blue bike. I had it when I was three years old.

Number of bikes: Eight

Number bikes stolen: Six or seven in 20 years.

Number of bike accidents: Two, but they were both my fault.

Why do you bike?: To get outside and check out what’s happening.

Biking pet peeve: Cyclists that pedal on the bike path in the wrong direction.

Bike tip: When you’re on your bike, do what you want the cars to do- like stopping at red lights.

zeus

2008-11-22T13:22:00.003-05:00

Cyclist: Zeus Maya

Hometown: Mexico City, Mexico

Location spotted: On the corner of Parc and Mont-Royal selling frozen goods

Destination and distance: To Parc Lafontaine, 15K

Current ride: The weird thing about this model is that it has a very fragile braking mechanism. Some of my friends have had the problem of the brakes system going off. I have at least 30 bottles of water with me, so that’s 30 kilos and let’s say another 30 kilos of ice cream. This thing (pats yellow part) weighs another 50 kilos. It’s around 100 kilos to pull.

Number bikes stolen: None, but I’ve had people tell me stories about people who come in and steal your stuff when you go to the bathroom. But I think it’s all urban legend in Montreal. I think no one really steals ice cream from the ice-cream man.

Number of bike accidents: Yes many, but not a big accident.

When not cycling: I’m here in Montreal because I like to check out the weird mix of human diversity that’s happening.

Favourite ride: Going to the Old Port.

Discovery through biking: I’ve had great insightful moments where I’ve understood that when you are moving at a slower pace in the city, you get a chance to see little moments like a sunset, a family spending time in the park, or some guy jogging in the streets. You get a chance to see those details more and I think you have a chance to be more in the present if you want.Notable quotable: In reality, I’m a sugar pusher.

akiko

2008-11-22T12:46:00.008-05:00

Cyclist: Akiko

Hometown: China, Concord, ON

Location spotted : On the Villeneuve bike path trying to fix a broken handlebar.

Destination and distance: Going for an early morning random spin, ?K.

Cycling months: As long as it’s not icy.

Current ride: It’s a red plastic TNT Mount Bike. It was actually the decoration on my birthday cake for my 30th birthday. I guess it’s six years old now, and it’s starting to fall apart. Just now, half of my handle bar snapped off and I tried to repair it with electrical tape, but was not very successful. Also, the chain, which was a black elastic, fell off recently. But it’s surprisingly still rideable.

First bike: I think it was cotton candy pink with white stripes.

Number bikes stolen: None.

Number of bike accidents: I’ve had a lot of close calls, but nothing requiring an ambulance. But it’s sometimes a challenge to bike with no hands.

When not cycling: I like feasting at midnight, vermicomposting and pillow fights.

Thoughts on biking and fashion: I love kimonos, but it makes pedaling a little dicey.

Biking pet peeve: When drivers don’t see you.

martin

2008-09-17T23:38:00.003-04:00

Cyclist: Martin Renière

Hometown: Trois-Rivières, QC

Location spotted : Coming up a trail on Mont-Royal

Destination and distance: To the back trails on Mont-Royal, 2K.

Cycling months: All year

Current ride: Marin double suspension mountain bike. I ride my road bike to get to work, and mountain bike on the weekends.

Number bikes stolen: None

Number of bike accidents: One big accident, and at least two or small ones.

When not cycling: I work for a bike parts distributor.

Favourite ride: I don’t have one. There are too many interesting trails for me.

Thoughts on biking and fashion: I have a fixed-gear bike, but I’m not into the style that goes around with it. I’m not really into bike fashion.

Number of years biking: Ten years and four years mountain biking.

Dream bike: A cross-country bike a bit like the one I have today.

Discovery through biking: I’m a biology student, so each time I’m on the trails, there’s something new. If I’m going at a relaxed pace, there’s mushrooms, trees or just the sounds of the birds.

Why do you bike? To push myself, and for the nature.

eva

2008-09-12T20:56:00.005-04:00

Cyclist: Eva

Hometown: Montreal, QC

Location spotted : Villeneuve and Jeanne-Mance

Destination and distance: Home, around the back alley to the front of the house, .02K

Cycling months: In the summer.

First bike: I don’t remember it.

Current ride: It’s purple. Somebody gave it to me because my bike was too little for me and I really wanted to learn how to bike with two wheels.

Number of bike accidents: I was riding my bike with my mother. I was going to cross the street and there was a bump. I wasn’t careful riding over it and I fell down and I had a big scratch (points at 6-inch scar on left shin).

When not cycling: Sleepovers, parties and making jewelry.

Thoughts on biking and fashion: I like biking in a helmet, t-shirt and shorts.

Discoveries while biking: There’s a lot of broken glass on the sidewalk.

Number of years biking: I started cycling when I was three.

Dream bike: This one I think.

andrea

2008-09-04T14:28:00.004-04:00

Cyclist: Andrea Diodati

Hometown: Toronto, ON

Location spotted: Heading south on the Clark bike path

Destination and distance: Going home from the Jean-Talon market, 4K

Cycling months: As soon as the snow clears up, otherwise I’m too scared.

First bike: It was a beautiful sunburst orange Raleigh cruiser.

Current ride: It’s from the 70’s. It came with its own license plate, which is really amazing. I named it Stanley after my grandfather who had a bike store.

Number bikes: One

Number bikes stolen: None

Number bike accidents: None

When not cycling: Sewing. I’m in fashion design.

Thoughts on biking and fashion: Vintage outfits on vintage bikes are just so adorable, but everything looks good on a bike really. I love wearing full skirts on bikes and watching them blow in the wind.

Number years biking: Two years using it as a serious mode of transport.

Discovery through biking: I found it opened up all of Montreal to me. I’ve been here two years.
Why do you bike: I find biking really romantic. One of my favourite things is bike riding with a friend down Montreal streets and talking side by side.

Biking pet peeve: Cars. I get really angry. I swear a lot.

Bike Tip: Be really alert. Don’t wear headphones and don’t talk on a cell phone.

jeff

2008-09-01T19:04:00.007-04:00

Cyclist: Jeff McMahon

Hometown: Portland, OR

Location spotted: Playing night bike polo

Destination and distance: From the Mile-End to Pointe Sainte-Charles, 8K.

Cycling months: All months

First bike: A blue, 20-inch BMX Current ride: A mid-80’s Venture frame that came from an auction. I stripped it down because everything was bad on it. I paid maybe 10 bucks for the frame.

Number of bikes: Five working ones.

Number bikes stolen: Three. The last one I got back. It happened the first month I came to Montreal last year. A month later after I had given up on it, I saw someone walking it down the street. I confronted them, started describing everything on the bike so they would know that I’m just not trying to pull a fast one on them. They very happily returned it to me. It was very non-confrontational.

Number of bike accidents: I quit counting. When not cycling: I’m fixing bikes and trying to feed myself.

Favourite ride: Riding in downtown Portland from the North side is pretty fun.

Thoughts on biking and fashion: They go pretty well together. A lot of people have developed their fashion to be practical while cycling and that’s cool.

Number of years biking: 18 out of 24.

Dream bike: A real old lugged classic Italian frame.

Discovery through biking: I came to Quebec a year ago and hadn’t really left the city until this summer and I found hills in Shawinigan a couple of weeks ago…Montreal is pretty flat. Why do you bike: I like staying fit and active. I enjoy riding in traffic and around people. It’s kind of like an obstacle course.

Biking pet peeve: Low tire pressure.

Bike Tip: Use lubricant on your chain and use it often. Wipe your chain after you’re done lubing it, otherwise it will pick up dirt and sand and stuff.

dayne

2008-09-01T09:33:00.016-04:00

Cyclist: Dayne Waterlow

Hometown: Nelson, B.C.

Location spotted: Playing night bike polo

Destination and distance: From home to arena, .5K

Cycling months: All year

First bike: A white BRC. It had 12-inch wheels and in the winter I took the ski off my GT and put it on the front and rode around the block.

Current ride: It was my dad’s first road bike and he gave it to me. It was in bad shape. Now it’s my polo bike and it’s slightly dangerous. It has a cardboard front disc wheel.

Number of bikes: 9 bikes. I don’t have a garage, but I put them in my kitchen. (BBS: How do you cook in your kitchen?) Around my bikes. I don’t need to eat in there. I sit on a bike and eat if I need.

Number bikes stolen: One, and it was my fault.

Number of bike accidents: Lots, and lots of scars.

When not cycling: I’m a bicycle mechanic and I like to build things like airplanes out of balsa wood, guitar amplifiers, computers…anything nerdy.

Dream bike: That’s an impossible question because you have to be more specific on the genre…Dream polo bike would be an actual track version of the one I have now, but it wouldn’t fall apart.

Discovery through biking: I found a bear cave once. It was very scary. We crawled in it, then we saw bear footprints in the mud. So we went out as quick as we could.

Why do you bike: I don’t have a driver’s license and it’s easier to get around, faster more fun and good exercise.

Biking pet peeve: Cars- mostly cabbies.Bike Tip: Don’t follow the trends. Don’t get a fixed-gear and watch where you’re going.

carla

2008-08-28T23:07:00.003-04:00

Cyclist: Carla Carpio

Hometown: Vancouver, B.C.

Location spotted: Visiting an apartment on Clark

Destination and distance: Work to home: 2K

Cycling months: Spring to fall

First bike: A Giant teen bike because I wasn’t tall enough to get an adult bike.

Current ride: A green 1973 CCM. When I got it, it didn’t have any gears and I had to pay extra to get them. The bike was 25 bucks and I think the tune-up cost more than the bike.

Number of bikes: One

Number bikes stolen: Luckily none

Number of bike accidents: A couple of big ones

When not cycling: Gardening, having dinner with friends

Thoughts on biking and fashion: I really enjoy biking in a skirt on in a dress because it makes a statement that you can look as good as you want to and still bike.

Dream bike: My bike right now is a dream bike because it’s so old that nobody wants to steal it. The parts are so old that no one wants to take those either because they can’t put them on any other bikes. It’s great. It’s a bit heavy though. Okay, my bike, but 20 pounds lighter.

Discovery through biking: It saves you a lot of time and it’s good for the environment.

Why do you bike: I’m outdoors breathing ‘fresh’ city air. Also, you can do a lot on a bike that you can with a car. Like doing your groceries. I have a pannier in the back.

Biking pet peeve: Bikers that go on the bike lanes in the wrong direction.

Bike Tip: Wear a helmet.

patrick & smruthi

2008-08-24T22:38:00.008-04:00

Cyclist: Patrick Riley (right)

Hometown: Montreal, QC

Location spotted: Heading west on Villeneuve with Smruthi

Destination and distance: Terrasse Lafayette, 3K.

Cycling months: All year

First bike: I don’t even remember, but my favourite was a blue three-speed Raleigh.

Current ride: I’m borrowing my sister’s bike while I’m in Montreal.

Number bikes stolen: Two, but both times it was negligence

Number accidents: Flying over a car door and I had one scar here (points at chest and down to stomach). I was wearing my helmet but that would have been useless (laughs). And waking up with a series of bruises on my shins because of biking home so drunk that I was missing the pedals.

When not cycling: Bowling in Africa.

Discoveries through biking: Pause the tape! It’s way too early in the day for that.

Thoughts on biking and fashion: I think biking and fashion is restricted finding something to tie your pants up so they don’t get caught in the gears and don’t wear a long scarf that will strangle you by getting caught in the bike spokes.

Dream bike: A three-speed Sturmey-Archer

Why do you bike: It’s something you’re totally in control of. You can tear it apart yourself. You can tear it apart yourself. You can learn to deal with every aspect of it. If something goes wrong with your car, you have no clue what’s going on.

Bike tip: Feel absolutely comfortable on your bike, Ride it with one pedal, take it apart, carry it around. Have it be an extension of your body. Then you’ll be safer and you’ll enjoy it and become attached to it. That’s what makes it more fun than taking the bus or driving a car.
How to improve cycling conditions: We should reduce car traffic downtown and we should have bike-only streets.

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Cyclist: Smruthi Gargi Eswar

Hometown: Bangalore, India

Location spotted: Heading west on Villeneuve with Patrick

Destination and distance: Terrasse Lafayette, 3K.

Cycling months: Actually I don’t really bike.

Why don’t you bike: I’m usually not in a place where there’s a chance to cycle. I’m usually in a city that’s not built for cyclists at all like Deli or Accra or Bangalore and female cyclists especially. But during this Montreal visit, I’m actually biking because of pier pressure, but I’m actually enjoying it now.

First bike: A maroon BSA SLR

Current ride: We’re visiting from Ghana and Rose leant me the bicycle, which has a nice retro look to it.

Number accidents: My friend was riding in front of me outside of Bangalore, and he was in denial because he needed glasses. I saw a truck stop in front of us. I didn’t know what to say. He didn’t see it. So we hit it. It was a bike pile-up

When not cycling: Using automobiles.

Thoughts on biking and fashion: It’s important to wear comfortable clothes, but skirts are a bit dodgy.

Interesting bike story: When I was seven, my uncle was trying to teach me how to bike and it just wasn’t working. After many days he gave up and sulked and walked away. For some reason, because he walked away, I just hopped on my bike and cycled towards him. It was weird.

Dream bike: No I don’t have one.

Discovery through biking: Now we’ve been here for five days in Montreal and at first I was stressed out about biking and riding on the right side of the road. Initially it feels like the whole country is riding on the wrong side. But it’s actually not that bad at all. Also, it's not possible to always go downhill.

Why do you bike: I like the pace it sets because I’m not in a hurry. And it sets a whole pace for the city. I also like the landscape of other people cycling.

yann & rose

2008-08-24T22:29:00.004-04:00

Cyclist: Yann Papin (pictured left)

Hometown: Touffreville-la-Corbeline, France

Location spotted: Heading west on Villeneuve with Rose

Destination and distance: Terrasse Lafayette, 3K.

Cycling months: All year

First bike: I think it was red with big white tires.

Current ride: A burgundy bike

Number bikes stolen: Five

Number accidents: I’ve had a small accident, but it was totally my fault.

When not cycling: Traveling, working, rock climbing, thinking, washing myself….

Thoughts on biking and fashion: I don’t care about fashion. I wear whatever I want, but I don’t wear white because that can be a problem.

Dream bike: A bike that works really well. It brakes well and you can do a lot of kilometres on it.

Why do you bike: I don’t want to use my car to go to work or go grocery shopping. I’d rather use my bike because it’s better for the environment.

Bike tip: Use a gel seat cover (Rose interjects: “He goes nowhere without it!).

How to improve cycling conditions: We should reduce car traffic downtown and we should have bike-only streets.

rose

2008-08-24T22:23:00.002-04:00

Cyclist: Rose Riley

Hometown: Montreal, QC

Location spotted: Heading west on Villeneuve with Yann

Destination and distance: Terrasse Lafayette, 3K.

Cycling months: All year, but less in the snow.

First bike: A red and white tricycle.

Current ride: A sky blue three-speed Peugeot. It’s the kind you have to kick back the pedals to get the speeds to change, which is always lots of fun on a big hill.

Number bikes stolen: Four and one of them was stolen by a roommate. He moved out and moved out with my bike.

Number accidents: None, all avoided.

When not cycling: Rock climbing, massaging and felting.

Thoughts on biking and fashion: Anything you can get away with on a bike is good.

Why do you bike: I can stop anywhere along the way. I feel freer because I can’t stand being underground in the metro and because it’s cheap and clean.

Biking pet peeve: Other bikers who speed past like crazy and get into accidents quite regularly and give us a really bad name.

Bike tip: Decorate your bike a little and make it fun.

isabel

2008-08-24T22:11:00.003-04:00

Cyclist: Isabel Rancier

Hometown: Quebec, QC

Location spotted: Speeding down St. Urbain

Destination and distance: Going to her league’s semi-finals, 2.5K

Cycling months: Until there’s too much snow.

Current ride: I think it’s a bike from the 70’s. I found it at a thrift store in the Laurentides. It cost me $25, but was really expensive to get repaired.

Number of bikes: One

Number bikes stolen: None. I’ve never had expensive bikes.

Number of bike accidents: I remember when I was first starting to ride on two wheels I hurt myself. It’s kind of a crazy story, but my feet just flew out from under me and I had a bruise between my legs. I was about five.

Interesting bike story: I work until four or five in the morning so I often pedal at night and see strange things.

Favourite ride: Island hopping on the Magdalen Islands.

Thoughts on biking and fashion: If I’m wearing a dress and I’m going to bike, I’m not going to change.

Dream bike: I’m sitting on it.

Discovery through biking: At night when there’s no one, there’s a lot of weird things happening because there’s the people who are getting up and the people who are going to bed. There’s a mix of two worlds that intersect. I really like this nocturnal environment.

Why do you bike: For the feeling of freedom and I’d rather bike than take public transport. It’s easy to get around in Montreal.

Bike Tip: I should give a tip to myself: I should buy a helmet!

nathaniel

2008-08-23T13:21:00.004-04:00

Cyclist: Nathaniel Watson

Hometown: Boston, MA, but lived in Montreal for 14 years

Location spotted: Jeanne Mance park

Destination and distance: Going home after flatting on Mont-Royal, 1K

Cycling months: As long as there’s no snow, salt or grit on the road.

First bike: Of my life?…His name was Clyde. I painted him gold and he had big fat tires. I was 10 years old. My first 10-speed was by an English company named Dawes. I think I got it from my brother. But my brother being my brother didn’t give it to me, he sold it to me even though I was only 12.

Current ride: An amber ale Seven. I bought this bike because I wanted to conquer the Pyrenees.
Number bikes: I had six until recently.

Number bikes stolen: I had a bike stolen this summer in Vancouver. I haven’t lost a bike in 30 years.

Interesting bike stories: Somebody shot at me in Oregon and missed- a real bike-by shooting. You have to watch out for the old pick-up trucks. I’ve ridden across the U.S. twice, and anytime you see an old pick-up truck, you gotta assume they don’t like you, they’re angry, you have more leisure time than they do so they resent that and have a gun inside, at least one.

When not cycling: I’m a professional classical singer

Favourite Ride: I love the Northwestern States it’s really gorgeous.

Thoughts on biking and fashion: I have no sense about fashion. I never think about it. I ignore it.

Dream bike: A Serotta

Why do you bike: It makes me happy.

Biking pet peeve: Rollerbladers. They’re skating really wide and oblivious to anything that’s going on around them. But I like skating too.

Bike tips: One thing I use for touring is that I carry extra spokes and I hide them inside the seat post and you keep them in with a cork from a wine bottle.

ashley & kerri

2008-08-18T10:34:00.006-04:00

Cyclist: Kerri Flanagan (pictured right)

Hometown: Ottawa, ON

Location spotted: Heading west on St. Joseph

Destination and distance: Going to Ashley’s house, 3K.

Cycling months: Until the snow falls.

First bike: I think it had a banana seat and I remember we used to bike around the block over and over again.

Current ride: A Raleigh Oasis. My sister bought it for me from a church basement.

Number bikes stolen: One.

Interesting bike story: My roommate’s bike got stolen from our front porch. A couple days later, I was at work, and left at two in the morning. I walked across the street to unlock my bike and I went to put my key in the lock, but it wasn’t my bike, it was my roomate’s bike. I took a step back, and I looked and my bike was parked next to it. So whoever took the bike happened to park it right next to my bike at my work. It was the most insane coincidence. So I went to find my friend, we went back and left a note that said, “This is my bike, you either stole my bike or bought a stolen bike.” So I locked it to a tree with my lock. We went back the next morning and the note was gone and the person’s lock was gone. My friend got her bike back!

Thoughts on biking and fashion: Coming from Ottawa, I find Montreal very different. In Ottawa, everyone has all the gear. They’re decked out in spandex and shirts with the pockets. But here, everyone rides a bike in gladiator sandals (laughs and motions to Ashley). Montrealers are much more adventurous.

Dream bike: I’d like to have one of each kind of bike for every occasion: a speed bike, a mountain bike and a nice little city bike.

Why do you bike: Because it’s quicker than walking, it’s really cheap and it’s exercise without doing exercise.

Biking pet peeve: Drivers who don’t see bicycles as a vehicle. They see them as a nuisance and don’t get out of the way.

Bike Tip: Be assertive. If you have to take up the whole lane, that’s fine. Just let cars go around you.

ashley

2008-08-16T15:49:00.011-04:00

Cyclist: Ashley Aubie

Hometown: Windsor, NS

Location spotted: Heading west on St. Joseph

Destination and distance: Home, 3K.

Cycling months: April-October

First bike: It was pink and it had the bead things on the wheels that made noise when you bike. My neighbour had the same one and that’s why I got it. It was a Barbie bike basically.

Current ride: A navy blue Raleigh with a basket.

Number bikes stolen: 1

Number accidents: None

Interesting bike story: I was biking home from work and it was the middle of the day, a Sunday afternoon and this man was looking at me creepily as I was biking. He was masturbating as I biked by. I was in total shock!

When not cycling: Painting, working and school.

Thoughts on biking and fashion: I would say biking in skirts is okay, but if you refer back to two questions, maybe not.

Discovery through biking: What good shape I’m in at the end of the summer.

Why do you bike: It’s the fastest way to get around the city and it’s good exercise.

Biking pet peeve: When you have your bike parked on a pole and there’s another bike parked on the other side, then you go and do something. When you come back, and the other bike is gone and your bike is lying flat on the curb. I hate it!

pip & matthieu

2008-08-11T15:33:00.025-04:00

Cyclist: Pip Van Pypen

Hometown: Toronto, ON

Location spotted: Heading south on Clark bike path.

Destination and distance: Going to Matthieu’s, 5K.

Cycling months: Whenever it’s not snowing.

First bike: It was a little mini bike with training wheels on the side with a little foam thing on the front.

Current ride: A black and yellow BMX that rides pretty well.

Number bikes stolen: One.

Number bike accidents: I’ve never been hit by a car, but I’ve taken a spill now and then. We just had a collision (points at Matthieu and at scrapes on leg and hand). We were just messing around on the gravel and pegs and spokes got intertwined…

Thoughts on biking and fashion: Hopefully you can bike with whatever outfit you put on in the morning.

When not cycling: I’m dancing.

Number of years biking: Since I was three or four.

Discovery through biking: I’ve discovered more parts of the city. It’s easy to stop places because when you’re driving in a car, you don’t.

Dream bike: I’d like to have one of those double bikes, but maybe it would be for four or five people.

Why do you bike? It’s free, quick, outside and convenient.

Biking pet peeve: Cars not looking out for you and people just walking in front of you.

Bike Tip: Don’t fall off.

How to improve biking conditions: We need more bike lanes and car free streets.

Cyclist: Matthieu LeGrey

Hometown: Montreal, QC

Location spotted: Going south on Clark bike path.

Destination and distance: Heading home after getting a haircut from Pip, 5K.

Cycling months: I bike until the first couple days of snow.

First bike: A BMX that was silver with red tires.

Current ride: A matte black Norco BMX. I got hit by a car on this bike. The whole back was bent, and they put it back into shape.

Number bikes stolen: One.

Number of bike accidents: When I was a kid, I was riding my bike and heard an ambulance. I turned around to see where it was coming from, and then I hit a parked car at full speed. just now, we were pretending to lose control on the bikes and we picked up some speed to pass some joggers. Then my back peg went into her front wheel and she fell (Pip: “I fell well!”). The joggers laughed at us.

Thoughts on biking and fashion: Everybody pretty much likes to be seen on a nice bike. You ride something, and it’s like a pair of shoes. I picked this bike because of the colour.

When not cycling: I’m a photographer and student.

Discovery through biking: Biking to work is the best part of the day.

Why do you bike: I enjoy it. It saves time…and I’m kind of lazy. You can get tired of walking to the same place, but by biking, you can take different paths and cut some speed. It’s a bit more exciting.

Bike Tip: Pedal and look straight ahead.

rebecca & maxime

2008-08-06T10:01:00.015-04:00

Cyclist: Rebecca Barnstaple

Hometown: Hog Valley, ON

Location spotted : Biking west on Laurier

Destination and distance: To rehearsal, 15K

Cycling months: All year except for December-March

Current ride: I bought it on the street for 30 bucks

Number bikes stolen: None.

Number of bike accidents: None.

When not cycling: I’m a student at UQAM, a florist, an English teacher and a dancer.

Favourite ride: I like to ride to his house.

Thoughts on biking and fashion: I think we have an individual interpretation of fashion.

Interesting bike story: I came out of my house and somebody had put a bike bell on my bike. It was a spontaneous gift.

Dream bike: Kind of like what I have now except the gears would work and the pedal would not be falling off.

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Cyclist: Maxime Lavoie

Hometown: Laval, QC

Location spotted : Biking west on Laurier

Destination and distance: Home, 15K

Cycling months: All year except for December-March

Current ride: My mom gave it to me, so it’s a little girlish, but it rolls.

Number bikes stolen: None. We’re pretty lucky- but we don’t have nice bikes.

Number of bike accidents: None.

When not cycling: We have a band called US.

Favourite ride: I like to go to Olympico with my bike. I live near Parc Lafontaine.

Interesting bike story: We found two bikes at Laurier Park at 11 at night and we thought maybe some people had forgotten their bikes. We came back at three and they were still there. So then me and my roommate had two new bikes. But then they disappeared again!

Thoughts on biking and fashion: I don’t think about it. I just enjoy the ride.

Dream bike: It would have a banana seat.

tomas

2008-08-06T09:55:00.003-04:00

Cyclist: Tomas Diaz

Hometown: Varied

Location spotted : Jeanne-Mance and Villeneuve, raising his seat

Destination and distance: Coming back from old Montreal, 10K.

Cycling months: All year around

Current ride: This is the bike I generally think of as a station wagon because I have all these accoutrements for hauling kids on it. It used to be an old Peugot racing bike, so it actually has a very light frame. I’m not really riding for speed. I ride it more for comfort.

Number bikes stolen: 15 maybe.

Number of bike accidents: Last winter, I got car doored. That was my latest accident.

Interesting bike story: Everything is sort of exciting when you’re riding a bike. Usually my most interesting stories revolve around me beating other people when I’m racing them. Usually when they’re riding some sort of $4000 super bike, where their left pedal costs more than my entire bike. Then I feel obligated to beat them on my crappy little bike.

When not cycling: Working or watching the kids, or taking care of my house. Generally living.

Favourite ride: For me it’s the new route. Never having been somewhere before on bike, and trying to figure out how you’re going to get around and about on the bicycle, for me, that’s more interesting than any other place I keep returning to.

Number of years biking: 20+ years

Dream bike: I don’t have a dream bike. I have dream fleet.Discovery through biking: It’s a good way of staying in shape. I have good cardio. I have good strong legs. I have the same ass as I had when I was 18.

marc

2008-07-28T15:34:00.002-04:00

Cyclist: Marc Bureau

Hometown: Montreal, QC

Location spotted: Gilford and de Lorimier

Destination and distance: Nowhere in particular, unknown

Cycling months: April-November, but maybe three times in the snow

Current ride: Steel lugged frame fixed-gear Bianchi

Number bikes stolen: None

Number of bike accidents: A good dozen (I used to freestyle)

When not cycling: Waiting for summer

Favourite Ride: Up the gravel road on Mont Royal

Thoughts on biking and fashion: I’ll put comfort in first, but I’ll definitely take a minute to check myself out.

Most interesting thing that’s happened while biking: Seeing a car accident.

margo

2008-07-28T15:23:00.006-04:00

Cyclist: Margo Ducharme

Hometown: Zurich, ON

Location spotted : On the Mont-Royal carriage road.

Destination and distance: Going to the top, 3K.

Cycling months: All year round in Montreal- only if there’s no snow.

Current ride: It’s a lovely mint green. My friend Maude sold it to me for 50 bucks. It’s my third bike in Montreal since they keep getting stolen. I think it’s supposed to have ten speeds, but it’s broken right now. There are no speeds, so I’m going to the top of the mountain with one gear- the hardest one actually.

Number bikes stolen: Two

Number of bike accidents: Not since high-school when I stupidly hit the curb and went over my handlebars.

When not cycling: I’m a media artist. I do hair and makeup for fashion and commercial photo work. I’m an avid photographer and documentarian of my life.

Thoughts on biking and fashion: If you’re getting way too many looks in a day there might be a possibility that you’re showing more than you might have thought you were when you left the house.

Favourite Ride: This is a particularly fabulous one because of the smells and the people watching and the sense of accomplishment when you get to the top and feeling like a 12-year-old on your way down. But I love all the errand running that I do on my bike; all the different alleyways and shortcuts and the buzz of whizzing around Montreal and dodging traffic.

christine

2008-07-25T15:22:00.005-04:00

Cyclist: Christine Rogers

Hometown: Toronto, ON

Location spotted : Walking bike east on Laurier

Destination and distance: Home, .65K

Cycling months: Whenever I’m brave enough to whenever I’m scared enough.

Current ride: It’s a crap city hybrid bike and I basically ride it until it’s unstealable.

Number bikes stolen: I have almost had a bike stolen- I caught the thief. The squeegee kid was walking down the street with my bike and I ran up to him and said, “Hey, you’re stealing my bike!” and he gave it back to me. I said, “You shouldn’t be stealing people’s bikes.” And he said, “At least I gave it back to you.

Number bike accidents: 1 1/2. Once I was riding in the rain and I got my wheel stuck in a tram track and I keeled right over onto the asphalt. The 2nd was that I almost got killed by a car door last year. A taxi passenger was opening his door to get out and it hit my thigh. If he had opened it a millisecond earlier, I would have run straight into it and would have broken something for sure.

When not cycling: I wish I was cycling.

Dream bike: Something I could ride long distances with, but lock outside my apartment and not worry about it getting stolen- and it would be self-cleaning.

lisa & aurélie

2008-07-25T00:56:00.012-04:00

Cyclist: Lisa Djevahirdjian and Aurélie

Hometown: Montreal, QC

Location spotted : Jeanne-Mance and Villeneuve

Destination and distance: Coming back from work and daycare, 9 K.

Cycling months: April-October

Current ride: 15-year-old Giant

Number bikes stolen: None

Number bike accidents: None…well kind of.

Interesting bike story: I was biking through the park, and a leashless black lab literally ran into me and broke all the spokes in my front wheel. I couldn’t ride the bike and had to push it. So the dog owner walked me to the bike shop and paid for the repairs. And on the way out, he said, “This might be a strange thing to ask, but will you have dinner with me?” I politely declined. And by the way, the dog was fine.

When not cycling: Working and playing.

Favourite ride: I love biking in the city.

Thoughts on biking and fashion: They’re not mutually exclusive. And all of my summer clothes have to be wide enough so that I can easily ride my bike. Skirts can’t be too short or too tight. Otherwise, anything goes.

Number of years biking: 16 years

Dream bike: An Amsterdam communal bike

Discovery through biking: Biking to work in the morning gives you a better boost than coffee.

beth

2008-07-25T00:50:00.004-04:00

Cyclist: Beth Bowers

Hometown: Port Medwey, NS

Location spotted : Writing a story in Jeanne-Mance Park

Destination and distance: To park from home, 1 K

Cycling months: As long as there’s not too much snow.

Current ride: An abandoned CCM

Number bikes stolen: I’ve had a bike stolen for me. This guy thought he could win my affections by stealing a bike that I loved. It took me two weeks to find the original owner. The funny part is this was two years ago, and just last week, the universe conspired to have us all meet in the Portuguese park at the same time: The thief, the guy whose bike he stole, and me.

Number of bike accidents: Not a major one, but I’ve definitely wiped out.

When not cycling: I’m writing, creative and pr writing and I have a blog.

Favourite ride: My favourite thing to do is to just strike out with a sandwich and explore parts of the city that I can’t easily get to, or have a reason to.

Thoughts on biking and fashion: I love my track bike, but I can’t ride it with heels.

Number of years biking: I really got excited about biking in 2000.

Dream bike: It’s the ’67 Schwinn bike that I lost (in a semi-divorce). But I’d want the original paint job. It was blue, and it had all the original parts.

Discovery through biking: It’s made me much cooler at my office job. All of the cyclists figured out who we were because all of these people were arriving to the office a little bit too sweaty. It’s easier to make a connection with those people than with people who care about their cars.

julie

2008-07-25T00:43:00.003-04:00

Cyclist: Julie Marceau

Hometown: Montreal, QC

Location spotted : At the base of Camillien Houde

Destination and distance: Lap five of 10.

Cycling months: All year. I train about 15 hours a week.

Current ride: I used to have Marinonis all the time, but now I’m on the Specialized team, so now I have one.

Number bikes stolen: No it’s never happened to me. I never leave it out of my sight.

Number of bike accidents: One time I lost a pedal and it was bad because I was behind a car and I flipped over a couple of times. I was going about 50K/hr. I went to the hospital. They did a full-body x-ray and I must be made of elastic, but there was nothing wrong! My whole body was swollen. I couldn’t walk or move, but under the bruises, there was nothing. After one month, I did a race like nothing had happened.

Favourite ride: I’ve done the Coupe du Monde de Montréal three times and this year was my best year. This is my favourite race.

First bike: The first real bike I raced with was a CCM from Canadian Tire. It was grey with red writing. Thoughts on biking and fashion: You have to be comfortable otherwise your day will be unpleasant.

nathalie

2008-07-25T00:36:00.003-04:00

Cyclist: Nathalie Lambert

Hometown: Montreal, QC

Location spotted : Walking down Villeneuve to pick up her bike from the shop

Destination and distance: Home, .5 K.

Cycling months: All year.

Current ride: Ridgeback Comet. It’s a bike that I bought in England. I liked it so much I brought it home with me.

Number bikes stolen: Two. But they were cheapos so I didn’t care too much.

Number of bike accidents: Oh God yeah. Three- and they were all doors. I got the door prize three times!

Favourite ride: Either going from my home to Parc Lafontaine or Jean-Talon market.

Thoughts on biking and fashion: I think it’s super personal. You see all different kinds of people riding bikes whether it’s hardcore biking gear or dressed to go to work in a suit.

Interesting bike story: I’ve been asked out on dates a couple of times waiting at an intersection. I’ve never had a guy in a flashy car ask me out-not that I would ever want that. I think it’s way cooler to be asked out by someone on a bike.

elison

2008-07-25T00:32:00.003-04:00

Cyclist: Elison

Hometown: Moscow

Location spotted: McGill Campus

Destination and distance: St. Joseph and Papineau, 10K

Cycling months: January to January

Current ride: Second-hand red CCM

Number of bikes stolen: I have not had my bike stolen yet. Thanks for making me say this.

Number of bike accidents: I have not had any. Oh great. I am so going to jinx it!

When not cycling: I walk. I do not use public transport under any circumstances.

Favourite ride: My favourite ride is in 16° C weather. I know this is not what you mean, but as long as it’s nice, I don’t care about anything else.

Thoughts on biking and fashion: Biking in the winter is the only way for me to transport myself from one place to another because I find traffic and the transport system inhumane. If I don’t take it into my own hands, if I don’t bike on my own, I’m going to fall into a severe depression and never come out. Biking does not factor into what I choose to wear at all. I basically have to adjust and if it’s not comfortable on my bike, I’m just going to have to work with it somehow. Whatever I’m wearing, I basically choose it without thinking about biking.

andrew

2008-07-14T19:01:00.008-04:00

Cyclist: Andrew Turner

Hometown: Montreal, QC

Location spotted : Laurier and Jeanne Mance

Destination: Supermarché P.A., 05K

Cycling months: April-December

Current ride: Early 80’s Peugeot PB27 (speed monster)

Number bikes stolen: 5 1/2

Number of bike accidents: Nothing serious, but I once ended up on somebody’s hood.

When not cycling: Waiting tables

Favourite ride: Up over the mountain, through Westmount to NDG

Thoughts on biking and fashion: Go functional!

Interesting bike story: When I had one of those portable fold-up bikes, when I was riding, it broke in half. Then I locked it up at the corner of St. Laurent and Pine and the front half was stolen.

the bike-by shooters

2008-07-14T17:06:00.007-04:00

Cyclist: m.c.

Hometown: Saskatoon, SK

Cycling months: All year

Current ride: Gary Fisher Wahoo

Number of bikes: 2

Number bikes stolen: 1

Number of bike accidents: I’ve been doored twice, biked into a hole in the sidewalk, and was ejected over my handlebars many times night mountain biking. I think I broke my rib once.

Favourite ride: On the mountain in the snow at about -8 °C, then cutting through the cemetery to get home.

Thoughts on biking and fashion: As long as I can bike in it, it’s all good.

Discovery through biking: I get a rush of satisfaction in whizzing by stalled cars in a traffic jam.

Interesting bike story: I was once biking on the mountain and guy passed me on his bike.
Suddenly he flew off his bike like Superman, and landed in a tree. He knocked himself out, so we called 911. He finally came to, then quickly hopped on his bike like nothing happened and continued on the path with crooked handlebars and his front brake rubbing.

Why do you bike: If I’ve had a bad day, or am stressed out about something, going for a long bike ride is a foolproof way for me to reset the counter to 00:00:00.

Biking pet peeve: When passers-by nonchalantly toss garbage into bike baskets as a trashcan.

Bike Tip: A colourful shower cap makes a great seat cover in case of rain.

*********************************************************************************

Cyclist: d.r.

Hometown: Montreal, QC

Cycling months: As long as it’s warmer than –10 degrees Celsius.

First bike: A red little tricycle with a multi-coloured pinwheel that didn’t last long.

Current ride: Guru Racelite

Number of bikes: 2

Number bikes stolen: One, a Mikado 10-speed

Number of bike accidents: With or without scars?

Interesting bike story: I was at a light and a girl came up to me and tagged me then took off. So then I had to catch up with her. But I didn’t catch her. She won.

When not cycling: Taking photos and hanging out with my friends.

Favourite ride: Camilien Houde for the pain.

Thoughts on biking and fashion: It does play a big role. I think it’s important. But I’m not a spandex guy. I’ll never wear a pair of jeans or a pair of pants. If I’m using my road bike, I’ll dress accordingly. The bike dictates the way I dress.

Number of years biking: Since I was standing.

Discovery through biking: It’s not as far as you think it is by bike.

Why do you bike: Because it’s a good form of transportation. It’s fast, it’s free and I get the best parking spots.

Biking pet peeve: That I have to fill my tires and keep my chain clean everyday before I go out.

Bike Tip: Keep your shoelaces tied.