c/canadian-riders-hub

Warning: I keep seeing people ride the shoulder on Highway 7 near Peterborough

I mean, I get it, the road gets narrow and the gravel can be bad, but it's super dangerous and actually illegal. I was driving out there last Tuesday and saw three different riders doing it within a 20 minute stretch. It's not a bike lane, and cars aren't expecting you to be there, especially around blind corners. Has anyone else noticed this becoming a common thing on certain routes?

Switched from a basic rain shell to a proper Gore-Tex jacket for the coast

I used a cheap rain shell for years on my rides around Vancouver Island, and it always soaked through after an hour in real rain. Last month I got a used Gore-Tex jacket for 80 bucks. Rode through a downpour from Nanaimo to Tofino last weekend and stayed bone dry the whole 2 hour trip. The taped seams and breathable fabric made a huge difference. Anyone have a good method for re-waterproofing older gear like this?

Vent: That one ride on the Sea to Sky Highway that made me rethink my whole gear setup

Last fall, I was heading up to Whistler on the Sea to Sky, just past Squamish. A sudden, cold rain hit out of nowhere, and my old budget rain gear soaked through in minutes... I was shivering and had to pull over for an hour. Now I'm torn: do you invest in top-tier, expensive waterproof gear for our unpredictable weather, or stick with cheaper stuff and just accept getting wet sometimes? What's your take on the gear cost versus comfort debate up here?

Spent a whole weekend trying to find a decent route around the Ottawa Valley construction that wasn't just a detour to another detour.

I thought I could just wing it with my phone's map, but after getting stuck in three different dead-end zones near Arnprior and wasting about 8 hours total, I had to dig up an old paper map my dad gave me to finally piece together a clear path. What's your best trick for navigating around major roadwork up here?

Stopped at the Tim's in Kenora on the way to Winnipeg and the parking lot was a total mess for trailers.

TIL those cheap Chinese brake pads from Amazon actually held up for a full season of riding in the Rockies, which completely changed my mind about them.

I put a set on my old KLR last spring expecting to swap them out after a month, but after 5000km of gravel and mountain passes they're still stopping fine, so has anyone else had a budget part surprise them like that?

I was cleaning my chain wrong for years and only figured it out last month

I always just sprayed degreaser on it and scrubbed with a brush, but my shifting was still rough. Then I watched a video from a shop in Vancouver and they used a proper chain cleaning tool with kerosene, not the spray can stuff. My drivetrain is so quiet now, it's like a new bike. What's your go-to chain cleaning method?

Shoutout to the guy who helped me out when my chain snapped near Banff

I was about 20 kilometers from the town of Banff on a solo ride last fall, just cruising along the Bow Valley Parkway. Everything was fine until I heard this awful clanking noise and my pedal just dropped. The chain had completely snapped, right at a link. I had a basic multi-tool, but no chain breaker or master link on me. I was starting to think it was going to be a very long walk when another rider pulled over. He had a full kit, including a chain tool and a spare quick link. He showed me how to push the pin out, shorten the chain by one link, and get the new link in. Took us maybe 15 minutes total. I offered him cash but he just said 'pay it forward next time you see someone stuck'. Has anyone else had a trailside repair save their ride?

My bike computer ticked over 42,000 km this morning on the way into Vancouver.

It hit me that I've pedaled a distance greater than the Earth's circumference, which seems wild for a guy who just wanted to avoid bridge traffic, so what's a number on your ride that actually made you stop and think?

My odometer rolled over to 100,000 km on the Sea to Sky Highway

I wasn't even watching for it, but hitting that big round number right as I came around a bend near Squamish felt like a weird little achievement. It's all the commuting, weekend trips, and that one epic ride to Tofino. What's a mileage milestone that snuck up on you?

Warning: I blew $400 on a 'winter-ready' bike cover that fell apart in one Calgary storm

Back in 2019, I was so sure I was being smart. My garage was full, so I bought this heavy-duty cover online, advertised specifically for harsh Canadian winters. The pictures showed it surviving snow and ice. It cost me $400, which felt like a lot but seemed worth it to protect my bike. The first big snowfall hit, and the material just shredded. It wasn't the wind, the fabric itself got brittle and cracked everywhere. I came out to find my bike covered in tattered blue plastic and a fresh layer of snow. Total waste. Now I just use a cheap tarp and bungee cords in a pinch, which works better. Anyone found a cover that actually lasts more than one season up here?

My odometer rolled over 200,000 km on the Trans-Canada yesterday and it felt like a real moment.

Serious question, has anyone else tried that 'pre-ride checklist' from the Ontario safety course?

I always thought it was just busywork, but after my chain snapped near Sudbury last month, I realized I'd skipped checking the master link. Anyone have a shorter version that actually works?

Finally got my old CB350 running smooth after a year of weekend tinkering in the garage.

The idle was always rough and it would stall at lights. Last weekend I finally got the carb jets dialed in perfectly. Took it for a ride along the Credit River and it purred the whole way. Anyone else have a stubborn bike that just needed that one final adjustment?

My bike's chain snapped right on the Lions Gate Bridge climb

It happened yesterday evening during my usual ride home from downtown Vancouver. I was putting in a solid effort up the bridge approach when there was this awful crunch and my pedals just spun free. The chain had completely snapped, leaving me stranded on that narrow bike lane with cars whizzing by. I had to walk the bike the rest of the way up and over the bridge, which took about 25 minutes and felt pretty unsafe. I always carry a multi-tool and a spare tube, but I don't have a chain breaker or a quick link on me. It's a Shimano 105 chain with maybe 1500 km on it, so I didn't expect it to go yet. Has anyone else had a chain fail that early, and what do you guys carry for roadside chain repairs?

PSA: I used to plan my whole ride around gas stations, now I just check the PlugShare app.

Back in 2019, I'd map out my route from Toronto to Ottawa based on where I knew the Petro-Canadas were. Now, with more public chargers in places like the mall in Kingston, I just open the app and go. Has anyone else found they're way less stressed about range on longer trips now?

Took my old KLR650 through some logging roads near Kenora last weekend and the front end just washed out in a patch of gravel I didn't see.

Managed to keep it mostly upright but it was a real puckering moment that reminded me to never get lazy scanning the trail ahead. Anyone else have a close call that made you change up your riding habits?

Everyone says the best riding is in the Rockies, but my best day this year was on the backroads near Kenora.

I took a Wednesday off work and just rode aimlessly on these old logging roads, no real plan. The bugs were bad and the road was rough gravel, but I saw a moose and her calf in a pond at sunrise. It felt more real than any packed mountain pass. Does anyone else find the quiet, messy rides more rewarding than the famous spots?

Spent $180 on a heated vest and it saved my ride through the Rockies last weekend

Honestly, I almost turned back near Lake Louise because the cold was cutting through my jacket, but plugging that vest into the bike for 20 minutes gave me the warmth to push through to Golden.

I finally got my bike out for the first ride of the season up in Muskoka last weekend.

I stopped for gas and this older guy on a vintage Harley looked at my bike and said, 'You know, the best roads up here aren't on any map, they're the ones you find when you're a little bit lost.' We ended up talking for twenty minutes and he drew me a rough map on a napkin. Has anyone else had a stranger point you toward a great hidden route?

Warning: I used to just ride my old bike through the winter salt in Toronto, but after the chain seized last February I switched to a full winter wash routine and it's a total game changer.

Trying to fix a flat on my old Norco in the rain took me 2 hours and a trip to the hardware store for a specific valve core tool.

Update: My buddy in Calgary swore by a specific chain lube for winter riding

I thought he was just being picky, but after my chain froze solid on a -15 ride last week, I had to admit he was right. Anyone found a better option for the real deep cold?

Had to choose between fixing my old bike or buying a new one for the season

My old Norco hardtail needed a new drivetrain and fork service, which the shop in Calgary quoted at about $450. I decided to fix it instead of buying a new rig. Two weeks later, I took it out on the West Bragg Creek trails and it felt like a brand new bike. Anyone else put money into an old bike and been totally surprised by the result?

My old bike's chain snapped on a trail near Squamish last weekend

I was about 10 kilometers into the ride when it just gave out with a loud crack. I had to walk the bike back to the trailhead, which took over an hour. In my experience, I should have replaced that chain way sooner, it was pretty worn. Has anyone else had a chain snap on a remote trail, and what's your go-to tool kit for quick fixes?