What's on: in Toronto Queer Cycling Events?

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Gay West Bicycle Club 2012 Season Opener

The first ride of the GWBIKECLUB 2012 season opens with a cycling event for LGBT Lesbian, Gay, Bi, Trans seniors 50+ and their admirers. We have never had a ride for gay and lesbians Toronto prime timers, its time we did!!! Michael (Club tour guide) is still working out details and description of the ride which will include stop for libations and ruminations, likely early May when weather warms up. It will be an easy roller ride from High Park, along Water Front Trail west to Marie Curtis Park in Mississauga, then up the Etobicoke Creek Trail and back into the city. Full details will be posted late April. The CLUB is the largest of it's kind in Canada, with over 140 members.

Friday February 24 - Toronto Critical Mass Hot Chocolate Cycling Ride. Join The Bike Pirates for the Annual Critical Hot Chocolate Social! Each year Bike Pirates invites those riding in February's chilly Critical Mass to end at the shop for hot chocolate, homemade cookies and some mid-winter socializing.We'll lead the ride to the shop some time between 7pm and 8pm (depending on how wet or cold it is out!), where you will be greeted with warm snacks. Vegan and non-vegan options will be available. Come by between 7pm and 11pm. This event is free. Bike Pirates Shop/ 1292 Bloor St W at Lansdowne http://bikepirates.com..Bloordale neighbourhood, in the Queer West village, Toronto Ontario

Wednesday March 21 - Leap into Spring at the Bike Pirates Shop (LGBTQ) Rainbow Day Work Shop Hi my name s Johnny and I am a volunteer at Bike Pirates (a DIY Bike shop) We are starting a Rainbow (LGBTQ) Day, every 3rd Wednesday of the month, from 6-9pm. TOPIC TBA 6 pm to pm Free We are currently updating our website with the arrival of Rainbow (LGBTQ) Day! stay tuned...Cheers Johnny Fisher. Sponsored by The Gay West Bicycle Club an active Toronto cycling club Our Membership (Yahoo groups & Facebook) has now climbed to about 146, as of Feb 7, 2012. Our season runs from May to October, we try to have as many weekly rides as possible. See you at The Bike Pirates tonight!

The Details: Bike Pirates Shop/ 1292 Bloor St W at Lansdowne http://bikepirates.com..Bloordale neighbourhood, in the Queer West village, Toronto Ontario

Saturday February 18, 2012 - Icycle Toronto Bike Couriers Annual Ice Race for 2012 @ Dufferin Grove Rice Rink for the annual Bike Couriers Ice Race at Dufferin Grove has been achieved. Just waiting for confirmation from the city. Come one come all, to Toronto`s most anticipated winter, if we get any cold weather, event. Free to watch from the sidelines, $5 to sit in the box All proceeds go to Charlies Freewheels. (video from 2011) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iaxvo9o8shUv After party will be held at the Bike Pirates 1292 Bloor West http://bikepirates.com... Directors to Park: http://g.co/maps/tykt7

Spring & Summer cycling tips

It's april and Spring is in the air and you’re eagerly anticipating getting outside on your trusty steed. But before you do, there’s something you need to think about: a tune-up for your bike. Getting your bike tuned up each spring is a bit like getting regular oil changes on your car. If you ride a lot and you don’t do regular maintenance, you increase the risk of mechanical problems on the road, your bike parts could seize up or fall off and you’ll quickly wear out the components.

Ensuring that your bike is mechanically sound not only saves you from breakdowns far from home, but it keeps you safer on the road. You don’t want to discover a problem with a wheel while you’re flying down a hill at 50 or 60 kms an hour. For the best and safest ride, your bike’s gears and brakes need to be properly adjusted, the tires need to be at the correct pressure and checked for wear, the wheels need to be trued (checking that they rotate smoothly without wobbling), and the cables, housing, and brake pads need to be in good condition.

If you’re mechanically adept and can distinguish a derailleur from a headset, you may be able to do your own spring tune-up and safety check. It’s not rocket science, but it does require a familiarity with bike components and the time to do it right.

Fortunately for the rest of us, there are bike shops that offer different levels of tune-ups—from basic to overhaul. Make sure you call ahead to ask them what kind of tune-ups they do, and what’s included. Some shops will look at your bike and tell you what level of tune-up you need. Beware of shops that don’t itemize what they’re doing.

Basic tune-ups in Toronto will set you back ($40-$50)

A safety check with minimal adjustments that include:

▲ Light clean and lube of bike

▲ Tires inspected and pressure checked

▲ Full adjustment of gears and brakes

including adjustment of cables, housings, and brake pads

▲ Full bike safety inspection

▲ Minor wheel true

▲ Minor parts/accessories installation

Intermediate tune-ups n Toronto will set you back ($80-$90)

A tune-up for cyclists who ride 4,000+ kms (2,400 miles) every season. You’ll only need to do this once every few years. It includes:

▲ Dismantle chain, derailleurs, and chainwheel

▲ Wash and reassemble chain, derailleurs and chainwheel

▲ Dismantle brakes and brake cable

▲ Clean and repack brakes with grease (replace bearings if necessary)

▲ Check and adjust hub bearings and check trueness of wheels

▲ Set up brakes, check for toe-in and adjust as necessary

▲ Reassemble derailleurs and set up shifting

▲ Check tires and inflate to proper pressure

▲ Check tightness and safety limit of handlebar stem, seatpost, and saddle

▲ General clean-up of bicycle

▲ Safety check of bicycle

Advanced tune-ups – the overhaul in Toronto will set you back ($125 -$155)

Only necessary if you’ve put mega-miles on a bike that you’ve been riding for 10 years. It includes all of the above, plus:

▲ Dismantle front and rear hubs, plus headset. Wash, clean, and repack.

Compared with a car, it doesn’t cost much to keep your bike in top running form. And don’t skimp. Spending money on a tune-up could save you a lot of trouble out on the road.

Cycling Shit We're Diggin'

The Man who lived on His Bike

Friday February 3rd, 2012 . I love being on a bike. It helps me feel free. I get it from my dad. After 382 days spent riding through the streets of Montreal, being sometimes quite cold, sometimes quite hot - and sometimes quite scared, I dedicate this movie to you, Yves Blanchet :-) (Videos posted randomly, when the night owl flies with news editor: Michael)