zeus

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

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.

patrick & smruthi

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.

rose

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.