Cycling

Cycling

Apr17

Vela exercise bike doubles as sculpture

Posted in: Cycling, Design

Exercise bikes in general are one of the most unattractive things anything could put inside of their home… they usually below deep down, below the ground in a basement if you must have one. But not Vela exercise bike, this beautifully design piece can function as modern art sculpture when not in use. I would love to have one of these…

Lunar Design might have chanced on a potential hit with the Vela exercise bike, where this stationary exercise bike certainly does not look like one at all. After all, when you first took a look at it above, what came across your mind? Meant to debut at the 2012 Milan Furniture Fair in Italy, the whole idea of the Vela exercise bike was to transform it’s design to look like a piece of functional decorative art in your home apart from being an exercise machine which will burn away all those excess calories.

(via Ubergizmo)
Sep16

Video: “beSPOKE” is a short film by Jeff Katz

Posted in: Cycling

“beSPOKE” is a short film by Jeff Katz that follows the incredibly elaborate build process of a custom Holland Cyclebicycle. The bicycle shown features a combination carbon fiber and titanium “Exogrid” frame and starts at about $4000. photo by Joel Zwink

beSPOKE from Jeff Katz on Vimeo.
Sep11

Bike ride statistics

Posted in: Cycling

Summer is coming to a close, temperature is slowly dropping and the Sun is setting earlier and earlier each day. Soon it will be a time to put away my bike for the season, but this weekend has been nice enough to make one last biking trip to and around the Tommy Thompson Park (still one of my favourite cycling paths in the city). Yesterday afternoon friend of mine and I went for a few hours the park for the last time this year. Since all the birds is the bird sanctuary left the area we were allowed to enter the area (as per signage which normally prohibits entering the breeding and nesting area from April 1 to August 15th) and roamed around the empty place. We saw quite a few dead birds laid around of the area, empty nests perched up on the trees and ammonia filled air. We spotted a beaver and awesome dragon fly as well. As the evening come fast, the air cooled off quickly so we head back home. It was great ride… perfect way to close off the season!

Here are few shots from my iPhone and cycling stats:

Finished Cycle: 2011-09-10 7:52:25 PM

Route: Tommy Thompson Park

Google Map:

View larger map

Ride Time: 1:36:28
Stopped Time: 3:26:59
Distance: 24.50 km
Average: 15.24 km/h
Fastest Speed: 38.36 km/h
Ascent: 88 meters
Calories: 570

Stats tracked by www.cyclemeter.com
Aug30

PumpTire or a self-inflating bicycle tire

Posted in: Cycling

Brilliant… now I want one for my bike! Hope this will take off and we will see it in the future on every bike!

PumpTire is an ingenious self-inflating bicycle tire that inflates to the correct pressure while it is being used (video). PumpTire founder Benjamin Krempel is raising funds for the project on Kickstarter.

PumpTire is commercializing the first self-pressurizing bicycle tire. Imagine taking your bicycle out of the garage and never having to fill up the tires or even check the pressure. Or imagine yourself being able to change your tire pressure on-the-fly with a simple adjustment from the handlebars. PumpTire is developing both of these systems. The self-inflating, self-adjusting technology is incorporated directly into the tire and is compatible with current rims, making it a simple addition to any bicycle.

via Gizmodo photo via PumpTire

(Via Laughing Squid.)
Aug21

Bike ride statistics

Posted in: Cycling

Yesterday I went for a nice long bike ride with a friend of mine, all the way to Humber River Bridge and back. On the way we stopped at the Masala! Mehndi! Masti! Festival at the Harbourfront:

Later we did a swing by the Sugar Beach / Corus Quay where for the first time we had Sail-in Cinema set up showing movies for free during this weekend. We didn’t stick around for too long as the rain started to fall.

Finished Cycle: 2011-08-20 8:10:10 PM
Route: West Trail
Google Map:

View larger map

Ride Time: 1:59:17
Stopped Time: 2:26:50
Distance: 28.04 km
Average: 14.10 km/h
Fastest Speed: 76.75 km/h
Behind Best Ride: 37:00
Ascent: 130 meters
Calories: 584

Stats tracked by www.cyclemeter.com
Aug8

Bike ride statistics

Posted in: Cycling

It has been a while since I tracked my bike ride… last night (on Sunday) I took a friend of mine to the Leslie Spit which has never been to before. It was a fun ride, especially that for the first time in years I have got myself soaked because of rain. Not once but on three different occasions as the weather was changing from a minute to minute from sun and heat to thunder showers. Nevertheless it was fun, we managed to hide under streets with an umbrella which I had with me so it was all that bad. Once we reached the light house, I made a couple boats from styrofoam, some sticks and other pieces of garbage and launch them on the lake. We were surprise how well they managed to float away from the Leslie Spit into the open lake. It was a good ride (almost 30km), stopping at a few places on the way back, as matter of fact we were out for six hours biking. We saw among several beautiful birds, also two baby wild rabbits eats and of course a really awesome rainbow over the entire horizon… well worth it! I was beat by the time I got home well after the sunset!

Finished Cycle: 2011-08-07 9:09:19 PM
Route: Leslie Spit
Google Maps URL:

View larger map

Ride Time: 2:09:31
Stopped Time: 4:11:10
Distance: 29.09 km
Average: 13.48 km/h
Fastest Speed: 27.34 km/h
Ascent: 94 meters
Calories: 716

Stats tracked by www.cyclemeter.com
Jul9

Bike ride statistics

Posted in: Cycling

It has been a beautiful Saturday, I went down to the Evergreen Brick Works where every weekend they have a farmer’s market and walked around the grounds with a friend. We have even spotted a very large snapping turtle in the pond by the by the market (see the photo here). Here are some stats from the bike ride today:

Finished Cycle: 2011-07-09 2:34:15 PM

Route: Brick Works
Google Map:

View larger map

Ride Time: 51:04
Stopped Time: 2:51:22
Distance: 13.93 km
Average: 16.37 km/h
Fastest Speed: 23.29 km/h
Ascent: 102 meters
Calories: 226

Stats tracked by www.cyclemeter.com
Jun27

Bike ride statistics

Posted in: Cycling

I woke up this morning, looked outside and said to myself… I am going to the Toronto Islands. Just because I can… and I did, it was awesome day! Beautiful weather, held up all the way until 4pm when it got slowly overcast. I biked down to the Ferry Docks at 9am, hopped onto the Ward’s Island ferry, spent my morning there. By noon I moved to the Centre Island and spent my afternoon at the Hanlan’s Point Beach reading “The Hunger Games” – a science fiction novel written by Suzanne Collins on my Kindle. At 4pm I took the Hanlan’s Point Ferry back to the city and cycled back to home. Unfortunately, I did not charged my iPhone so it died on me while taking ferry back into the city. So there is a missing return trip portion as tracked by Cyclemeter – about 5km. But I managed to shoot some video from today and took a few photos as well. They are all below:

Finished Cycle: 2011-06-27 1:05:57 PM
Route: Toronto Islands
Google Maps

View larger map

Ride Time: 3:59:02
Stopped Time: 0:00
Distance: 16.97 km
Average: 4.26 km/h
Fastest Speed: 36.43 km/h
Ascent: 83 meters
Calories: 984

Stats tracked using: www.cyclemeter.com
Jun18

Bike ride statistics

Posted in: Cycling

Last night, it was a spectacular evening for a nice and very long bike ride around the Harbourfront, along Waterfront Trail to Humber Bay Park and back with perfect weather all the way…

Finished Cycle: 2011-06-17 9:34:21 PM
Route: West Trail
Google Maps

View larger map

Ride Time: 4:49:01
Stopped Time: 0:00
Distance: 30.18 km
Average: 6.26 km/h
Fastest Speed: 59.48 km/h
Behind Worst Ride: 10:23
Ascent: 133 meters
Calories: 1347

Stats tracked using: www.cyclemeter.com
Jun6

Today’s bike ride statistics

Posted in: Cycling

Today was kind of “half bike ride” experience, since I was already out by the beach in the afternoon by the time the evening come I decided to head west along the Waterfront Trail because of the stunning weather. Decision might have been inspired by the live music concert I was listening to at the moment: Pet Shop Boys - Pandemonium (2010), specifically Go West song. It was a fantastic ride, with no wind, clear sky and sunset in front of me, I just could not resist it so I kept on going. Perfect evening ride, with lots of people on the trail biking, jogging and rollerblading along with me. Also I realized that Pet Shop Boys is an excellent up tempo music for bike riding. I posted a video tweets and some photos on Flickr and on the blog from this evening as well…

Finished Cycle: 2011-06-06 7:21:59 PM
Route: By The Lakefront
Google Map

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Ride Time: 1:29:19
Stopped Time: 0:00
Distance: 15.04 km
Average: 10.10 km/h
Fastest Speed: 32.03 km/h
Ascent: 115 meters
Calories: 563

Stats tracked using: www.cyclemeter.com
Jun3

Today’s bike ride statistics

Posted in: Cycling

We have had another spectacular day in Toronto today, with perfect weather: clear sky, slight westerly breeze and 23C. It would have been a sin not spend it outside… I took my bike and went for leisurely ride along the waterfront from downtown where I live to Humber Bay Park. I was out soaking up Sun and enjoying this beautiful weather for nearly 5 hours today from 10am to 3pm. At the end clocked nearly 30km on my bike today, took a tone of photos, read a book and stroll around Humber Bay Park, which I have never really been to. I discover that they have a Butterfly Garden and Chipmunk Habitat over there, things you learn when least expected… here is a short video from today and stats with a map below:

Finished Cycle: 2011-06-03 2:46:44 PM
Route: West Trail
Google Map

View larger map

Ride Time: 4:38:38
Stopped Time: 45:16:52
Distance: 29.50 km
Average: 6.35 km/h
Fastest Speed: 28.11 km/h
Behind Worst Ride: 3:08:31
Ascent: 118 meters
Calories: 1376

Stats tracked using: www.cyclemeter.com
May31

Today’s bike ride statistics

Posted in: Cycling

Finally we have got perfect summer like weather in Toronto, with 29C and even a little hotter when you add humidex values. It means it was time for a beach… I took my bike out for the first time and went down to the Harbourfront making a few stop along the way. I spent couple of hours soaking up the Sun at the HTO Park, while watching boats pass by and listening to music. Later I continue a west along Waterfront Tail pass Ontario Place. Since there was a bit of breeze coming from East, I finally turned around and head back because as I said it is pretty warm day. Plus it is my first day bike riding, my legs need to adjust for it. It was a very nice day by the water, I even managed to get a real nice tan at the same time.

I posted a few photos on Flickr during the day from places I have been to, plus here is a short video from today. When I was by the Toronto Island Airport, I have even caught on video a large military transport plane landing there… a little unusual since it is civilian airport.

Finished Cycle: 2011-05-31 2:26:00 PM
Route: Harbourfront
Google Map

View larger map

Ride Time: 4:10:58
Stopped Time: 6:24
Distance: 17.61 km
Average: 4.21 km/h
Fastest Speed: 26.51 km/h
Ascent: 103 meters
Calories: 1053

Stats tracked using: www.cyclemeter.com
Apr30

Gregg’s Cycles – Glass Bikewall with 42 Bikecycles

Posted in: Cycling

photo by Ed Sozinho

photo by Michael Burns

The Bellevue, Washington location of Gregg’s Cycles proudly displays a ‘bikewall,’ a two story glass facade displaying 42 bikes. This elegant bit of architecture is the work of Weinstein A|U. via Doobybrain.com

(Via Laughing Squid.)
Nov30

Video: Broadway Bombing 2010

Posted in: Cycling

Broadway Bombing happens almost every year in NYC. This year it was planned last minute so not a huge turn out, but still a competitive race and here is the video from it…

Broadway Bombing 2010 from crihs on Vimeo.
Nov23

Google to add Bike Directions to Toronto maps

Posted in: Cycling

This is going to be perfect for the summer…

Google is set to add the Bike Directions feature to its Toronto maps as it brings Canadian cities inline with those in the U.S., who received this information back March. Although no specific date was given for the arrival of the new feature, a spokesperson for the company said that it’ll be live sometime this week.

Toronto is one of nine Canadian cities that provided Google with detailed info related to bike lanes and trails, which will be factored into route suggestions along with traffic volume. With this addition of cycling directions and the still-newish TTC trip planner, Toronto users of Google maps can finally take advantage of the full range of features the technology offers.

We’ll have more on the maps when they go live, including a comparison with other bike directions generators like Ride the City.

(Via blogTO.)
Oct13

Bike boxes coming to Toronto streets

Posted in: Cycling

Toronto is getting more and more bike friendly… First major improvement this fall was painting a new bike lanes along Jarvis St. which allow now cyclists to safely get down almost all the way to the Lake. Now the city is slowly rolling out bike boxes. The first bike boxes will be painted at five intersections along the Harbord St-Hoskin Ave and College St bicycle lanes, including at Queen’s Park Crescent, St. George St. and at Spadina Ave. Hopefully more will follow in the future!

The big issue now will be to educate all the drivers in the city about what bike boxes are and how they are being used. Hopefully the city will come out with some kind of campaign to ensure that everyone in the city understands how bike boxes work, why they needed and people actually obey the city street markings.

Read More | Comments
Oct6

Ram iPhone Bike Mount & Cyclemeter App

Posted in: Cycling

I noticed last night a post on Boing Boing about Ram iPhone Bike Mount, which would be simply perfect addition to the Cyclemeter App. Since I am still using my iPhone 3G I got two and half years ago with the excellent Cyclemeter App, it would be perfect fit me. I could actually mount the phone so I can see it while on the bike, however as usual items like this are often not available for shipping through Amazon.com to Canada. Which is a real bummer since the Ram iPhone Bike Mount is only $14.00USD. I may dig around the Internet next summer to see if I can find a re-seller for this mount in Canada or ask my friend who live in the States to get it for me and ship it here.

I recently bought a RAM iPhone mount for my bicycle, and it has made cycling a much more enjoyable experience. The mount is simple and secure using two strong zip ties and a rubber wrap around the bars. I mounted the iPhone on the stem in the middle of my handlebars. In conjunction with this I purchased the Cyclemeter ($5) iPhone app as it suited my needs the best. In fact, my old bicycle computer is quickly becoming obsolete.

All this has changed my cycling habits. Now I get on and press start; it keeps track of where I went, how fast I went and how long it took with maps and graphs. It shows what days I biked on a calendar. When I take the same route it compares my ride to previous times I have followed that route. Everything is stored on the iPhone, but the information is easily uploaded and shared in various ways and formats.

– Mike Polo

[Note: This mount is for iPhone 3G and 3Gs. Ram produces mounts specifically for iPhone 4 and other GPS enabled smart phones.--OH]

Ram iPhone Bike Mount $14

Available from Amazon

Read More | Comments
Sep30

Daily cycling for 96-year-old brings health and happiness

Posted in: Cycling

If you like cycling, reading articles like the one below, makes you want to make it a daily routine…

As much as I would love to apply this idea to my life as well, the Canadian climate is simply limiting me to about only 6 months a year. However there is still an option – not as much fun though – to cycle indoors through the winter months.

Daily cycling is secret to 96-year-old gentleman’s health and happiness: “‘I’m strictly a recreational cyclist,’ he says. ‘I’ve never been one of those guys who gets on a bike and sees how fast I can go. I just trudge along at my own leisurely pace. But I’ve been doing it almost all my life.’ Jack Thacker, who will be 97 in October. He cycles about 12 miles every day and credits his daily bike routine, in part, for his good health. (via LACM)

(Via Boing Boing.)
Sep28

SEIL backpack by Lee Myung Su

Posted in: Cycling

Very innovative idea, I love it and I want it… Hopefully we will see this in production one day. I could see this concept to work well in cycling jackets as well.

SEIL backpack by Lee Myung Su uses LED lights to display traffic signals. Simply by controlling the detachable wireless controller, the user can show directional and emergency signals on the back of the backpack.

(via ReflectionOf.Me)
Sep25

Bike Shelf by Chris Brigham Knife & Saw

Posted in: Cycling

This one beautifully made Bike Shelf by Chris Brigham Knife & Saw, I have recently installed a bike storage rack myself but since space is limited, I had no choice but to go vertical instead of horizontal. But for those who have a wall space, this is a really nice solution:

Chris Brigham — a graphic designer with a knack for woodworking and building things — has a new design for bicycle storage that takes the cake for sophisticated options for small space cycle storage. His Bike Shelf features a groove for your bike frame and a ledge for storing a helmet and gear or anything else. Read Full Post

(Via Apartment Therapy.)
Sep16

Limited-edition cycling prints

Posted in: Cycling

Check out those limited-edition cycling prints:

Marc Evans, a freelance designer and illustrator based in the UK, has created an inspiring series of cycling related prints, each with an amazing quote by a cycling world great (or someone noteworthy just talkin’ bikes). I saw these last night on Trackosaurus Rex and haven’t stopped thinking about them since, especially the one above while I booked it across town on two wheels en route to a meeting over coffee. I was inspired to ride fast and it felt amazing. There are 5 prints in the series, available in A3 and A2 size in a limited edition of 50 each, signed and numbered by the artist. They cost £18 and £27 each and are available from TheFootDown, while supplies last of course. Bike people, don’t sleep on this one. They are stupidly awesome.

(Via Boing Boing.)
Sep12

Bike Storage Rack

Posted in: Cycling
Bikes in Toronto seem to be the hottest commodity for thefts, trust me I had a few of them stolen over the last 20 years I have been living in Canada. This year after loosing yet another bike, I decided (with a little apprehension because my “luxury penthouse over looking the city” - as someone recently comment about my little place – is actually pretty small) to store my bike at home. Of course keeping a bike at the house may be a little much, but frankly I don’t care anymore. I am tired of replacing them and the underground garage bike rack in my building is not 100% theft-proof storage alternative (yup, one of my bikes was stolen from there too and I am not going to take another chance on it.)

Yesterday I visited one of my favorite stores in the city called Mountain Equipment Co-op (MEC). They are Canada’s leading retailer of outdoor clothing, gear and services for self-propelled activities like hiking, cycling and paddlesports. Or as I call it: “An Awesome shop!”… Anyway, couple of weeks ago I got their catalogue in the mail and went to their web site to check out a few things, while browsing some cycling gear over there I came across Delta Leonardo Bike Storage Rack. After looking around my place for an empty wall where I could put this little bike rack, I came to a decision that a corner my home-office would be a perfect spot for it. It would keep the bike out of sight from the rest of the place, yet it will be accessible. Delta Leonardo Bike Storage Rack is actually very small, easy to mount onto a wall and very cheap – only $16.00CAD. So when I was at the Mountain Equipment Co-op store yesterday, I picked it up.

Putting it up on the wall was easy, but of course I ended up with an extra hole in the wall, because I was too lazy to measure the proper clearance distance I needed for the front bike wheel to fit in on the rack so the bike can actually hang from it properly. Don’t get me wrong, I am very handy with power tools and can fix almost anything, but also I can be very lazy when it comes to details and often would try to do something with bothering with measuring tape… Nevertheless, I did put it up last night onto the wall and hanged the bike (now I will have to patch the extra hole and paint it over sometime soon – luckily I have still the paint in the storage room).

Here is how the bike hangs, it actually looks very cool in my home-office now, it adds character to the space. Now, I do not need to worry if the bike will be stolen again (especially during winter months when I will not be using it as I generally ride it only from April to September weather permitting), keeping it at home also it will ensure it will not rust and stay in top form for next year summer! I really like it… I am a one happy cyclist right now!

Here are some details about the Delta Leonardo Bike Storage Rack (Product Number: 5003-976) from MEC web site. Mind you this rack is only really good for road bikes not mountain bikes, I can see how some people complaint in the reviews section of the MEC web site about not being able to use it for a mountain bike, the tires on a mountain bikes are much thicker and they would not fit on it. It works perfectly for a road bike like mine.

Delta Leonardo Bike Storage Rack (Product Number: 5003-976)
Super convenient single bike storage. Subtle, silver colour and minimalist design makes it suitable in almost any room. Ideal for small apartments and townhouses.
- Mounts vertically on any wall.
- Holds most wheel sizes securely.
- Please note: Must be mounted directly to wall joists or studs for secure storage.
- Holds a bike weighing up to 18kg.May not fit some oversize mountain bike tires.
Aug29

Cycling stats for today

Posted in: Cycling

There is nothing better than wake up early on Sunday morning, have a great breakfast, walk your dog in the park and head out for 30+km bike ride before it gets too hot… especially on today! It has been couple of weeks since ride my bike: first I was in NYC for my birthday for several days, than I had a bit of cold so I want to take it easy and get rid off it before hopping onto a bike again.

I cycled today on my eastbound towards the Beach neighbourhood and back, weather was fantastic all the way with just enough breeze coming from the west to keep me cool, it was a little harder than usual because I took a break for couple of weeks so my legs were not at 100% upto it. But I am so happy I did the ride today, this could be one of the last great days with perfect weather for it. I stopped at the Boardwalk in the Beaches to take a bit of break and soak up the sights. I posted from there a few photos. Now it is time for lunch, some “quality time with my iPad” (which means: reading a book) and relax for the rest of Sunday!

Route: East Trail
Activity: Cycle
Started: 2010-08-29 9:34:11 AM
Ride Time: 1:44:31
Stopped Time: 55:34
Distance: 31.46 km
Average: 18.06 km/h
Fastest Speed: 34.50 km/h
Climb: 158 meters
Calories: 708
Official Route: No

Cyclemeter screenshots:

Interactive map from today’s ride:

View larger map
Aug28

Ciclotte exercise bike

Posted in: Cycling

Now, when I have finally stopped drooling all over the photos of this beautiful thing called Ciclotte - I realize that I could never justify its price. Nevertheless, it is a beauty from the design point of view.

We can’t say we had too much hope that the futuristic-looking Ciclotte exercise bike concept we saw last year would ever turn into an actual product, but it looks like this is one concept that’s defied the odds. Of course, it’ll set you back more than ten grand, but you will soon be able to order the unicycle-style bike online, and in your choice of three different colors no less (full carbon, silver or purple). Apart from its striking design, the bike also boasts an epicycloid crank system and a magnetized main wheel to generate resistance, a steel and carbon frame, an adjustable seat and handlebars, and a few other modern amenities like a touchscreen display to adjust the settings. Hit up the gallery below for a closer look.

via (Engadget).
Aug10

This bike will tweet its feelings

Posted in: Cycling

Beautiful bike, beautiful idea… awesome web site to boot! Check out self tweeting bike which is cycling right now from coast to coast. It looks almost like my bike, my bike tweets as well – but not as much information – thanks to Cyclemeter App on my iPhone. One day, when I am strong enough, may be I will ride it coast to coast!

Meet Precious. Precious will ride from the Atlantic to the Pacific, Tweeting his stats along the way and making assessments over time including comments on the weather, hilliness of the terrain, and speed. Why? Because it can. You can follow the old boy over here and he and his riders are raising money for Livestrong. You can donate here.

Read more…

(Via TechCrunch.)
Aug8

Cycling stats for today

Posted in: Cycling

I was really hoping to go riding today, but it was raining on and off most of the day and I pretty much lost hope that it would happened… until just after 4pm when the sky cleared and sun came out. Not thinking much about it, after taking my dog a nice long walk, I have pulled out my bike out and went on my East Trail. It was beautiful until I reached Beaches area, the south-west wind picked up quite a bit by the lake. It was a brutal ride back via Tommy Thompson Park, Cherry Beach and back up to where I started the ride. But it feels good to accomplish it – despite the strong winds all the way back – I managed to beat my last time on the same route. I cycled over 30km this evening and burned 851 calories while doing it. I stopped for just over half an hour to rest a little at the lighthouse and even pull my camera to shoot a few interesting photos I will post later this coming week.

Time for a shower and a late dinner… Big Brother and Mad Men are on tonight – Yay!

Route: East Trail
Activity: Cycle
Started: 2010-08-08 4:41:27 PM
Ride Time: 1:41:52
Stopped Time: 34:39
Distance: 30.85 km
Average: 18.17 km/h
Fastest Speed: 31.85 km/h
Climb: 57 meters
Calories: 851
Official Route: No

Map from today’s ride:

View larger map
Aug5

Cycling stats for today

Posted in: Cycling

Awesome evening to be out by the lake, excellent bike ride to match it. I am sure how the hell I managed to pull a fastest speed as shown here at 123.94 km/h on my bike, but I have a feeling it was a GPS glitch. I was going pretty fast because I wanted to get back before it got completely dark outside, so I did go faster than usual, but there is no-way I managed to go as fast as the Cyclemeter App is claiming… Looking at the Speed graph (last image below) the highest speed was just over 30km/h. Also I noticed, that if I want to bike a full 25km, I will need to add a little more distance (just for the heck of it), only around 400meters (I came close at 24.63km today).

Route: West Trail
Activity: Cycle
Started: 2010-08-05 7:28:58 PM
Ride Time: 1:22:17
Stopped Time: 14:49
Distance: 24.63 km
Average: 17.96 km/h
Fastest Speed: 123.94 km/h
Climb: 81 meters
Calories: 664
Official Route: No

Here is a map from today:

View larger map
Aug5

Summer fitness

Posted in: Cycling

Living in Canada means summer is a special time each and every year, since summers in Toronto are short. In the winter I am at the gym, but summer is a time to be outdoors and enjoy each and every day as I must as I can. I have always enjoyed cycling and this year has been excellent for it. I am quite impress with myself. In order to keep my heart healthy I have been trying to spent at least couple of hours each day on my bike (and recently even started tracking the time, distance and over-all my own performance when cycling).

Unfortunately, there are days like the last couple of days when being out and about may actually be not very good for your health due to excessive heat and humidity plus low air quality. In order to keep up with my own fitness goals, I am still trying my best to get out there on the trails, but I am doing it much later in the evenings (couple of hours before the sun-sets are the best time). By sticking to the bike trails by the Lake Ontario, I can stay cool and the air quality is not as bad. Staying hydrated is also extremely import when cycling on a hot days like today.

In a nutshell there is no reason not be out to enjoy the hot summer days like today. You just need to smart about what and how you do it. Now it is time to get out there…
Aug2

Cycling stats for today

Posted in: Cycling

I have just finished my cycling for today. Burned 996 calories while doing a total of 32.76km, I cycled east today for a change. I made it across Queens St. East all the way to the Beaches area (my old neighbourhood), it was still packed with people as it is a long weekend in Toronto. From Beaches I took the bike path, also decided to swing by the lighthouse in Tommy Thompson Park (still one of my favourite spots in the city as it is usually not too crowded with people on the weekends) and back up to where I started my ride. Made only couple of stops to stretch my legs and replenish water. It was overcast day, but pretty warm and even slightly humid, nevertheless perfect for a long ride.

Here are my stats from the ride and the map.

Route: East Trail
Activity: Cycle
Started: 2010-08-02 4:17:05 PM
Ride Time: 1:51:39
Stopped Time: 23:10
Distance: 32.76 km
Average: 17.61 km/h
Fastest Speed: 32.57 km/h
Climb: 117 meters
Calories: 996
Official Route: No

View larger map
Aug1

Cycling stats for today

Posted in: Cycling

I have just finished my cycling for today. Now, I am hungry as hell… Burned 616 calories, luckily dinner is almost ready.

I did a long route (well, almost – since my long route usually means 25km to 30km – as I managed to pull 24km in fact) from downtown area all the way down to the Lake Ontario, across the harbourfront all the way to Humber Bay and back. It was a little tiring as the wind was very strong coming back, which is usual since we hardly get winds from the East, rather opposite from the West. But over all it was very pleasant day to be out, lots of people along the route by the lake as it is long-weekend here in Toronto, Ontario Canada.

Here are my stats from the ride and the map.

Route: West Trail
Activity: Cycle
Started: 2010-08-01 3:28:43 PM
Ride Time: 1:30:07
Stopped Time: 10:17
Distance: 24.02 km
Average: 16.00 km/h
Fastest Speed: 35.91 km/h
Climb: 102 meters
Calories: 616
Official Route: Yes

Map from the ride:

View larger map