February 1, 2021

I have been thinking about riding this blog for a couple of years now.  First to define what is an ebike. In Ontario “the definitions of an e-bike vary a little by province, but, generally, an e-bike has to have working pedals, an electric motor of 500 watts or less, and a maximum speed of 32 km/h”.

There are a lot of opinions on what an ebike looks like. Does it look like an electric motor scooter or does it look like a bicycle with a battery. For this blog I am referring to a bicycle with a battery often referred to as e-assist bikes.

In 2014 Ralf and I were on the two-year Grand Adventure. We were in New Zealand struggling up a hill and battling a head wind, when Ralf shouted there was a “roadie” (road cyclist) coming up behind us and moving fast. She passed us like we were standing still. An older person riding not a sleek road bike but a cruiser bike, she wore a yellow hat and rubber boots. I think she had a motor on the bike, Ralf said. That’s cheating I muttered, as I struggled to get my breath.

Fast forward 18 months and we met a couple at a Tim Horton’s in Ontario. We chatted to them about our trip and cycling in general. They were both in their late 70’s and cycled about 50 – 60 kms. She confessed that she rode an e-bike. She told us that it helped her up the hills and against the wind. She told us she had been reluctant to get one – as she considered it cheating. She was willing to give up cycling, her husband suggested she give it a try and she is so pleased that she did. She is continuing to enjoy her cycling and getting out for regular exercise.

So what is cheating – Oxford defines cheat as “to deceive or practise deceit especially for one’s own gain, to obtain unfair advantage by trickery.”  Does this mean that riding an e-assist bike is deception or trickery. The battery is there for all to see, hardly deception.

However, if you are Alberto Contador and had a small motor secreted on your high-end road bike and blasted past the Schleck brothers without even breathing heavily – that would be trickery or cheating.

Most riders of e-assist bikes are not in a race, they are like most cyclists out to enjoy their ride and perhaps make it easier for them to do so.

Janet and Steph two cyclists we met on our Grand Adventure in Texas in 2015 have migrated to ebikes. When we met them in 2015 they were circumnavigating the United States on regular bikes, Janet had recently retired.

Last year 2019 they circumnavigated the States again only this time on ebikes. They have cycled over 24,000 miles on their ebikes.

In 2018 when we were cycling in Europe we were amazed at how popular e-bikes were. It was hard to find a road bike or touring bike that didn’t have a motor.

Part of the reason for the success of ebikes, in Germany specifically, are the tax breaks  on ebikes and the assistance that companies provide to help their employees purchase ebikes. Some German employers lease company bikes to their employer through Deutsche Dienstrad, a firm specializing in workplace bicycle leases. The company retains 25 euros of the monthly salary, and when the contract expires after two years, the employee can buy the 3,000 euro bike outright for just 300 euros.  This was all done in an effort to get more people to cycle to work and have less cars on the road. Younger people are using ebikes for their daily commute. Older people are using them as touring bikes.

My eldest brother has had an ebike for years. He rides to the local pub on it. I teased him mercilessly, because that is what little sisters do to big brothers – \”Get A real bike, you need the exercise\”. He tried to explain he was getting more exercise riding his bike to the pub than driving. That is true.

Back to the question is riding an ebike cheating. Initially, yes I thought riding an ebike was “cheating”. Now I see it as a means to an end.  If it helps a person continue to cycle as they age, if it gets more cars off the road and less pollution, if it gets one more person cycling instead of taking a car then all power to them.

I personally am not ready for an ebike yet, but if it keeps me cycling for a few more years I will consider getting an ebike.

January 10, 2021

What can one say about 2020 that hasn’t already been said. The lack of posts in 2020 should have indicated to you that it wasn\’t a good year for memorable cycling adventures.

This blog isn\’t about our cycling adventures because there wasn’t any in 2020, although I did have a lot planned.

I had planned cycling in Quebec – the Blueberry route and Petit Nord Train, New York State and Ottawa/Kingston and our local area. Obviously, this did not come to fruition due to Covid-19 and the high numbers of infections in Quebec and Ottawa.

I mistakenly thought that 2020 was going to be a great year. 2020, it just rolled of the tongue, 2020 a year to remember, to enjoy, to have fun, to look back on.

It certainly was a year to remember, never to forget.

However, the start of the year was good for us.  We had plans. We renovated our en-suite bathroom and it is fabulous. Ralf became a bit of a handy person and renovated the powder room. He also replaced all our out dated hinges and handles with brushed nickel and they look great.

In February I got a new part-time job and was learning about wealth management from the other side of the fence. I was classed as an essential worker and was able to continue with my new job throughout the lock-down. It was nice to be able to walk to work every day, only a 15 minute walk.

By March Covid-19 had begun to spread around the world and lock-downs were happening. Schools were closed after the March break, first for a month then longer until it was decided the children would not go back to school until the fall (autumn) semester. At that time Ralf decided not to go back to school bus driving. He was laid off from the City Transit job for two months as the City decided that they could reduce the transit runs. As the Covid-19 numbers dropped during the summer months, the lock-down was reviewed and stores were reopened. Ralf was back at work for the City. In our Region the Covid-19 numbers were low and life seemed to be going back to some semblance of normality. Although the new normal was social distancing and wearing masks. We were able to celebrate our 35^th wedding anniversary with a meal out at our favourite Brockville Restaurant – the Buell Street Bistro. We ate on their patio on a lovely warm August evening and laughed and reminisced about our life together. It has been good.

I decided to create a vegetable garden and a flower bed that would attract bees and butterflies. We enjoyed the fruits of my labour throughout the summer – it was lovely to eat fresh lettuce, onions, radishes and tomatoes.  I planted garlic in September which we will be able to enjoy next summer, if the squirrels haven’t stolen them and replanted them somewhere else.

We had our first outdoor bike ride in the middle of March and the weather gradually improved getting warmer and warmer as each month passed. I got out fairly regularly in April and May riding to Lynn and along the Parkway. By the time June, July and August came around we had a scorcher of a summer. The average temperatures were in the high 80’s, thank goodness for air conditioning. Unfortunately, for me this meant that when I came home from work at 1:30 it was too hot for me to ride, my riding was restricted to the week-ends when we could get out earlier in cooler temperatures and be home before noon.

Ralf was able to get out more as his schedule allowed. He was just short of his 5,000 km goal (4,500 kms).

As the weather turned cooler in September and October I did go out for some rides after finishing work. It is always nice to see the leaves changing colour and feel the crisp air and still have some warm days to ride.

November, I brought my road bike in and was determined to motivate myself to work out on the trainer. That lasted for about two weeks! However, my last outdoor ride was December 11 on MrsSweetCheeks, just a short City ride with my new Garmin firmly attached and recording 20 kms.

2020 was a huge let down for cycling, I only managed to cycle 1,800 kms this year, Ralf and I survived the lock-downs, the restricted movement and financially we did well.

I am planning rides for 2021. I don’t think we will go into Quebec. Our summer plans will be to cycle in Ontario, possibly rent a cottage somewhere or week-ends away and live vicariously through other cycling blogs.

Last year we only hosted one cyclist in May. Jessie was cycling from Toronto to Montreal. We were able to social-distance and she had a Covid test prior to starting her cycling trip, which reassured us that she was sensible and would not put us or herself at unnecessary risk. However, we decided not to host anyone for the remainder of the summer. We certainly missed meeting people and hosting, although we didn’t see as many touring cyclists this year as in previous summers. We will see what this year brings.

As the Covid-19 numbers move back up again throughout December and January, and lock-downs are back in place Ralf and I continue to manage our fitness and mental health. We have committed to getting out every Sunday either for snow-shoeing, skiing or a walk. Mentally it recharges us we get some fresh air, we talk and enjoy being with each other.

The Covid-19 vaccine is being rolled out around the world and I will have it when it is available, which for me will probably be later this year. I believe it will be a requirement to travel anywhere in the world, no different from all the jabs we got when we embarked on our two year Grand Adventure.

I am not going to say 2021 is going to be a great year as I was so wrong with 2020. However, I am an optimist and I think together we can make it a good year.

August 2019

This post is a little late, o.k it is very late. As I was reflecting on last years cycling and planning this years cycling I came across this post and realized I hadn’t actually posted it.

This is about a wonderful week-end away we had in August 2019. I planned a mini-adventure a short week-end getaway with Ralf. I needed a cycling holiday, just Ralf and I . I had missed us going on a vacation together (I went with Shelley to the U.K. in June) and I knew if I didn’t plan a mini-cycle trip I would be planning a much longer trip maybe a six month tour, because that is what I do. A mini-break would satisfy my desire for a cycling trip.

Ralf had been working almost every Saturday throughout the summer for Brockville City Transit. He hadn’t taken a vacation from work after his cycling holiday was cancelled.

The Plan came to me while we were cycling together on one of our weekday rides. I asked him if he would like to go away for a mini-break. The choices were Ottawa, using points at a Best Western, Quebec cycling the Petit Nord Train using B&Bs or somewhere in New York State.

Ralf opted for Ottawa as we could also do some sight seeing and shopping. After our ride I booked the hotel and planned the week-end.

Ralf was working the afternoon shift so we headed up to Ottawa after Ralf’s shift at about 6:30 pm, it is only an hour north (90kms). We checked into the Best Western and grabbed a late dinner from the supermarket.

The City of Ottawa abounds with cycle paths, trails – on-road, off road, dedicated paths etc. They appear to be everywhere, they are everywhere. There are approximate 800 kms of trails in Ottawa, Gatineau and Outtaouis area – (Quebec across the river from Ottawa).

I had planned two rides, a 60 km ride, a tourist ride and a shopping day. After breakfast on the Sunday we headed out to Stittsville, supposedly a pretty little town worth the ride. Not so, much it was an average small town, sorry Stittsville. We took the direct route out on on-road cycle lanes and then took the Ottawa-Carlton trailway and the Ottawa River route back to downtown Ottawa.

On the way back along the Trail we picked up an Ottawa cycle map at one of the many information signs along the trail. Of course we had to stop for an ice-cream. We chatted to a couple of German cyclists. They love Canada and visit a different area every year for their summer vacation. They rent bikes and stay in one location where they can investigate the area. They really enjoyed visiting Ottawa and all the cycle paths they could follow.

We sat in the sun eating our ice-creams and chatting. It was a lovely way to end our day, but we still had a few kilometres to go before we finished our ride.

In 1986 John Felice Ceprano began creating balanced, natural rock sculptures at this site. The sculptures are made entirely by hand, using rocks found exclusively at this location. Every day, the sculptor returns to work, creating sculptures until the fall, when the project is dismantled for the winter. The National Capital Commission has provided support for the project since 2000.  I love this kind of art.

The Ottawa River route took us along the river and into the downtown area, where there was a buskers festival. We stopped lots of time along the way to take photos.

The voyageurs were the original \”truckers\” of Canada. They would travel along rivers with these large canoes loaded with pelts and provisions and sell them to the Hudson Bay Company.

The buskers festival along Banks Street was very busy and it was difficult to negotiate through the crowds with the bikes.

It was a lovely relaxing ride, there were a lot of people out on the cycle routes it was really good to see so many people on bikes and enjoying the sunshine.

We got back to the hotel at about 4:30 had a quick shower and changed and went for dinner at an East Side Marios.

Day Two

The ride planned for Monday was going to be a slower touristy ride. We followed the Environmental Farm pathway towards Hogs Back Falls, then along the Rideau Canal to Parliament Hill.

In the winter the Rideau Canal is transformed into one long skating rink (10 kms), with vendors selling hot drinks and food. We might come back in February.

We got a little misplaced as we made our way up the Rideau Canal locks and almost headed across the river into Quebec. We found the right road past the National Art Gallery and headed towards the Aviation Museum and the RCMP Musical Ride stables.

We passed the parliament building and stopped at the sculptures of the Famous Five. These women who had repeatedly requested that a woman be appointed to the Senate. Amazing to think that less than 100 years ago, women were not regarded as Persons in their own right.

Amazing sculptures, I was amazed that I was able to get this picture as they were very popular with lots of people around taking photos.

We cycled past the National Art Museum. Not quite as keen on this piece of art. I would not go anywhere near it.

Where have we seen this before? This monstrous piece of art was also installed outside the Guggenhim Museum in Bilbao. Called Maman, it is the last of six spiders cast by renowned Franco-American artist Louise Bourgeois as a tribute to her mother. It was created in 1999 and cast in 2003. Bourgeois was born in France in 1911 and has been working as an artist for nearly 70 years. She immigrated to the United States in 1938.

Once again it was a lovely path, there were not as many people heading east along this path. We stopped at the Museum for a while watching a Bi-Plane take off and land. The cost for taking a ride in the Bi-plane was only $60.00. I am not sure I am brave enough to do that, but Ralf was definitely interested. Once again we got chatting to a couple. They were an older couple who liked to ride out to the museum with a picnic – he rode a hybrid and she rode a three-wheeler. She said she could keep her balance on it and they could still get out together for a nice ride and a picnic.

We cycled back towards the Byward Market and had a great sandwich from a European Deli.

There are lots of little alleyways, boutique store, cafes, and interesting architecture.  This is a facing from the original tin house that stood in this location.

Two lovely days touring the capital of Canada on bicycles.

Tuesday we toured the Byward Market Area on foot and the Rideau Shopping Centre. I bought a couple of things on sale at the Ice-breaker store (Merino wool), a lovely little merino wool skirt and a t.shirt. As we left the shopping centre it started to pour with rain. We headed undercover and had lunch at a little café in the Byward Market.

Then headed back to the car in the rain and to the Wild Birds Unlimited Store to treat ourselves to a new bird feeder.

A great end to a lovely mini-adventure.

Sunday October 20, 2019

Last week-end was Thanksgiving and the Company I work for gave all the employees a large bottle of Maple Syrup from a local producer, Gibbons.

Gibbons Farm and Sugar Shack is located just outside the small hamlet of Frankville. The owner often had to give directions to potential customers – “After Frankville take the left at the  fork in the road.” People still got misplaced and would call him from somewhere in the back of beyond.

He decided to remedy the problem by having a large piece of art made. He got permission from the local landowners and the Municipality to install it. It is a large steel fork which is located at the road where his customers have to take the left turn. Very funny and a great art installation.

I had read about the Fork in the Road and suggested to Ralf we cycle up to see it, if the weather stayed nice.

The forecast was good for a high of 16 degrees, mix of clouds and sun. I had mapped the route using google maps and printed turn by turn directions. I still cannot work out Ride with GPS or Strava.

After a late start, the temperatures had warmed up to a balmy 9 degrees and we headed north for a change. We usually head west to the 1000 Island Parkway. This route was completely different from what I have been cycling most of this season. I have been doing out and backs along the parkway or occasionally going up Highway 2 and returning along the parkway.

The trees have almost all changed and the leaves are dropping quickly. The sky was beautiful with wispy white clouds and the wind was mostly at our backs.  There were some nice houses and this purple church which had been converted into a residence.

We checked the turns regularly and did not get misplaced. We eventually came to the fork in the road. It is a nice piece of metal work.

This route took us along quiet country lanes, some gravel roads, passing farms and being chased by dogs. Oh the joy of cycling along a gravel path with two Dobermans chasing you. Actually it wasn’t that bad. The owner had them both under control until she thought we were out of sight. However, we could hear her shouting at one of the dogs as he decided to give chase to the two strange yellow things on two wheels. He obviously was well trained as he returned to the owner quickly. Another dog skittered to a halt as we stopped and told him to stop barking we put our bikes between us and the dog and slowly walked past his property where he promptly shut up and bounded back up his driveway.

After taking photos at the Fork in the road we headed home along County Road 29 and then County Road 46 into Lynn and home. The weather warmed up to a balmy 13 degrees, we were both well dressed for the cooler temperatures.

I am not sure how many more rides we will get to do as we are well into autumn. We will keep going until it snows.

September 2019

My first bike was a Raleigh ladies bicycle that I would grow into, it was little bit too big. My Mum bought my brother and me a bike that we had to share. We got it for Christmas, although it was also part of my birthday present (early December) and Richard’s birthday (late January). We didn’t have a lot of money when I was growing up, but Mum scrimped and saved and Richard and I had a bike to share.

It was a girl’s bike (poor Richard) but it had to be “safe” for me to ride. The bike was blue, Richard’s compensation for it being a bike without a cross bar. Raleigh bicycles were made in Nottingham, from steel, with three speed Sturmey Archer gears and dynamo hub lights. The Raleigh Bicycle Company was one of the largest manufacturing companies in the world.

Primarily I remember it was for Richard to do his paper round and I helped him. He would have been 12 and I was 10 years old. Maybe I am losing my memory but I recall that after a bit of training from Richard he would allow me to do the morning paper round (when it was cold and foggy) and he would do the afternoon round (as the papers were heavier). I am not sure if the papers were heavier in the afternoon – the Nottingham Evening Post was a broad sheet paper and the weekly magazines were in the afternoon papers. Maybe he was right. Anyway, I would often go in the afternoon with him as well. I would sit on the back rack and hop off to run up the paths to deliver the papers. At Christmas we would get extra tips from the people we delivered to. Sometimes it was chocolates often it was money, which Richard shared with me.

I remember failing my first cycling proficiency test, because I could not touch the ground while staying seated on the bike. I had to borrow a bike to pass the test.

I remember being allowed to go to the library on my own and having that first real feeling of freedom of being able to go anywhere.

Why am on earth am I writing about a bike that looks like the bike I rode over 45 years ago. Well, because I found that bike. Not the exact bike because I do believe Richard and I wrecked the original bike. However, I found a bike that in my mind is exactly the same bike as that first bike I had. 

I found the bike in a local second hand store. It is a steel ladies bike, very heavy and has three speed Sturmey Archer gears with a dynamo light. Why would I want an old heavy weight like that. Well, I could cycle to work in the spring and autumn, when I don’t want Mrs SweetCheeks to get wet. If I bought a wicker basket I could pop to the local farmers market, shops/LCBO. If friends came to stay they would have something to ride, if we cycled the local Brock Trail together. There are numerous reasons why this would be a good buy. Are you convinced yet? Most importantly that first bike I ever owned (shared) was the reason I love biking now.

I asked several people if they had the opportunity to buy the first bike that they ever owned would they do it. The result was a resounding Hell No. Why on earth would you buy a heavy weight that only has three gears and if those Sturmey Archers fail well you have a single speed bike! Because no one knows how to repair Sturmey Archer gears.

I visited the store a couple of times where this old beauty resided. Am I crazy, I have a skinny bike that weighs less than 14lbs, which I enjoy riding 60 – 100 kms. I have a solid touring bike that weighs 26 lbs that has taken me around the world and I want to buy this old heavy weight that probably weighs over 40 lbs. We all get a little heavier as we get older.

I have been mulling this over for weeks. Realistically why would I buy an old sit up and beg bike, when most of my rides are over 50 kms.

Heart ruled the Head. The unnamed Raleigh is now proudly in our garage, waiting for a little bit of care and attention. She is going to be my winter project.

A good clean, a clean up of the wheels and truing. The Sturmey Archer gears/hub looks good and on my initial test ride changed easily.

I will buy a new Brooks saddle and a wicker basket for the front. She is a beauty. I can’t wait to get her ready for riding the trail. She deserves a good home that will love her. Oh I got her for a deal of $160.00. I know the Brooks saddle and wicker basket will probably cost more than the bike. This could end up being an expensive project.

Any suggestions for names will be welcomed. She comes from Nottingham, is blue and is a Raleigh. Thinking about Big Blue, Rosie Raleigh or Queenie.