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Travels to T.O: Day Two & Three

After a short and much needed sleep, it was back on the bike for a bright and early meeting at Curbside Cycle...

...I have to admit, I got my meeting with Eric and Mike mixed into day one, when really it was on day two. Conversations were so good each day -- it seemed like one melded into the next. Great staff - Great peeps - I look forward to bumping into them my next trip back to T.O and at Interbike 2012 in September.

After Curbside, I scooted down to the CSI in Chinatown to meet up with my branding guru, Heather at BRIGGS Strategy, only to find she was actually just down the street from Curbside at the other CSI building so, I biked it back up across a couple neighbourhoods. Toronto streets are so beautiful to ride, it was no matter. It's one of the things I love most about downtown T.O (DNTO). Although, I will always advocate for safer cycling infrastructure on main roads, in T.O, I never found it, and still don't find it a problem to get from one neighbourhood to the next because of all the side roads you can take through one neighbourhood to the next. These streets are steeped in history and character and spattered with parked bikes and the occasional cyclist eye candy. No matter what season, Toronto side streets are a joy to ride. I took no photos, just the ones in my memory and heart, but I promise to take some for you next time, pinky swear.

I then, scooted back down Chinatown to the CSI Spadina where I met Heather of Dandyhorse Magazine for a fine chat about girls and bicycles, a conversation to which we will be privy when she has hammered out the details - we will keep you posted. Double pinky swear.

and this takes us to  Day Three:

On Day Three, I ventured into my old 'hood of Little Portugal around College and Dovercourt to visit with the good fellows at Cycle Couture. 

This was my first meeting with Jeff, Shane and Adam and I hope to make their acquaintance again. It was a real pleasure. The store is filled with beautiful bikes and accessories, and bustling with action. 

RZ met me there and was equally as impressed, he almost bought a bike, but settled for a new tweed Rickshaw top tube sleeve and a Ynot celly holder.

A store around the corner from my old apartment - adeptly named after me:

After Cycle Couture, we hit Trinity Bellwoods Park and Queen West for a stroll and picked up some sweet treats for that night's dinner's dessert from Nadege Patisserie

... delicious, right? right. If you are ever in T.O, I highly suggest stopping by this pastry shop and taste testing some of their goods. These particulars were all gluten-free. 

And these delectable desserts were precluded by a coming together of old friends from Ryerson Fashion days (Rye High) and a little fashion princess who insisted we dine in formal hat attire.

And this is Day Three concluded. 

Toronto = Good Friends, Creative and Innovative Conversation and Bike rides abound <3

Heather and Anthony at the AGO (We also went here <3)

peace <3

Travels to T.O: Day One

I took a short trip to T.O with my partner RZ to revisit the peeps I know, get to know the streets again and meet some new peeps. Here is a recap of Day One:

Firsts:

On the first day, to get us all the places we needed to go, we rented bikes from Curbside Cycle. I had the chance to chat about bike philosophy and fashion with Eric and Mike and also ran into a friend from YYC, Laura Leif, one of the founders of Local Library, an all-ages music and Community Arts venue in Calgary. She's been transplanted in T.O for the last couple years --- and it was her first day working at Curbside! What a coincidence! It also happened to be the first day that Lilly's Lunches was on the job. So awesome! All the best Lilly's Lunches!

On a sidenote and segway, I also met with Heather from Dandyhorse Magazine (on Day Two), a great local magazine about bike culture in T.O. Here is a great article on Lillys Lunches that Dandyhorse wrote.

Right after securing the bike at Curbside, I headed down to Darkhorse Espresso on Spadina to have lunch with  Kathleen from Urbane Cyclist, amongst other seriously insightful and  inspiring convo, Kathleen told me about the Cupcake ride that happens monthly. I hope I can make one the next time I'm there! 

Later in the day, I met up with my best friend, Jerisse and headed over to Bike Pirates, one of the Community Bike shops on the Westend of downtown T.O, to fix her brakes for Spring riding.

Shout out to Dylan, for helping Jerisse and I get the job sorted! Shout out also to the guy in the pirate hat and friends for the wonderful soup and convo in the kitchen.

With brakes fixed and ready to ride, we headed to the AGM for the Toronto Cyclists Union to see what's up and happening in the move forward for bikes on streets for T.O. We were invited to the Bike Union meeting through Alexander of 416CycleStyle  and met up with him there. Alex also started a neighbourhood community bikeshare in his neighbourhood of Markland Woods, Etobicoke, a suburb of Toronto - so inspiring. He also recently wrote an awesome account of the our night out with him, 'YYC to YYZ' with photos to match. We look forward to chilling again, Alex ~ thanks for your serious radness.

At the meeting, we heard some similar stories to the motions happening in Calgary, the struggles, the triumphs, ideas, hope and energy - Thanks so much for inviting us to join in and hear about it all, Bike Union peeps <3

The night ended with drinks and delicious eats at Watusi and a ride west to home for a short night's sleep before Day Two.

Stay tuned <3

Je Le Kiffe/I Dig It

This new feature is all about what we (riyoko ladies) have been digging and are inspired to share- each month we'll be covering a new topic or theme. First up, we want to discuss which spring fashion trendswe've been checking out and are looking forward to sporting.

Kristi: The spring fashion trend for hair is long and minimal- the slick wet look with a centre part... It's too bad I cut my hair short over the 2011 winter holidays! So, this spring the trend I'll be digging is finger-waves in my hair as it grows out, topped off with 1970s style scarves and sunglasses. <3

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Jordan: The trends I'm excited to wear this summer are all have a Bohemian, 1970s feel. I can't wait to throw in floral prints, lace tights, wedge booties and headbands to soften up my spring look. <3

Dress found here and lace-look legging found here 

You can check out riyoko lace tights in our shop

Wedge booties found here

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Natalia: Trends I'm excited to see and wear in spring are: pastel and muted colours perked up with hints of vibrant hues, long and flow-y silhouettes and a mix of "masculine" and "feminine" pieces. <3

Street style photos found here and here

<3!

Bicyclist Accident Cards

Two days ago, on my ride home, an unexpected event occurred. I was in a minor accident with a car - It was minor and my arm was just bruised a little. However, it was also still an accident. There are many things I could talk about in regards to it, but I'm going to talk about the fact that I didn't have my my 'collision report' with me. The collision report* that I carry is actually geared more for cars, but cyclists can use it.

In the moments after the accident, there was a bit of shock and confusion. Both the driver and I knew that we should pull over and exchange information. However, what information to exchange? In those moments, it can be hard to think straight and if I had had the report on me, it would have been much simpler.

The problem with the current collision report form is that it isn't conveniently transportable, as it is just a regular 8.5" x 11" piece of photocopied paper, and  there is no extra information to help you with the accident included on the form either. While I was perusing the internet last night, I stumbled on theBicyclist's Accident Report cards, created by Josh Zisson and Bike Safe Boston.

They are pocket size and seem to contain the most pertinent information needed when you are in a collision. 

I can't wait to get a version of them here in Calgary. We are working on it! 

BTW for the peeps in SF: They are now available at Huckleberry Bicycles in SF.  

*Every province or state will have slightly different laws on how to report an vehicular accident but they will most likely require a collision report be filled out at the scene of the accident or that you go to the nearest collision reporting center to file a report, depending on the amount of damage incurred. You can easily find out what the procedures for your province or state are by googling it or by contacting the department of transportation in your province or state.

- K

ww<3 To Travel With and Never Leave Home Without

Kristi: Actually, there are four things I never leave home without: Of course, 1. My Bike, I don't know how I would get around without it, walking is too slow for me and driving is not my thing.

2. My bike lights - when I started biking, I thought it was no big deal to go lightless - until the day I almost super-crashed into another fun-loving cruiser rider. You may think it's not dark out and people can see you- but it is dark and people can't - so, lights! 

3. A hat or scarf - to deal with unruly hair after a long day, a late morning or unexpected cold weather. 

4. Vitamin E gel - works as hand cream and lip balm/gloss. It's compact, multipurpose and economical. I either cart around the whole tube or put it in a smaller container. 

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Barb: My camera! I will take pictures of almost anything, pretty much anytime. 

Check out Barb's photos here

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Jordan: I love to travel with and never leave home without my bicycle. While traveling, it lets me see more more efficiently, helps me initiate conversation with people who also enjoy biking, and generally makes for a more enjoyable sight seeing experience. Where I live it is my main mode of transportation. There is nothing I would rather walk to or drive to more than biking. It is my vehicle, my make shift bench, my fashion accessory, my pride and joy. I love my bike. 

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Natalia: I never leave my house without a book, it's the perfect way to pass any wait time. As a student, I don't have much time to for non-required readings so I take the time I'm in transit to catch up with books I can just relax and enjoy (and not be tested on). 

<3!