Bike maintenance clinic - Part 1

To help us prepare for our bike trip, Ryan gave us a private bike maintenance clinic at re-Cycles in Ottawa. He has been volunteering with re-Cycles for two years and is now a head mechanic. His favourite repair is truing bicycle wheels. "You can get right into it and your mind starts doing other things," says Ryan.

Ryan truing a wheel at re-Cycles

Ryan covered practically everything from what to check before heading out on a ride, to derailleur and brake adjustments, to repairing a broken chain, to truing a wheel and replacing a broken spoke.

Before heading out on your bike

We learned a mnemonic to help remember the basics to check before any bike ride. It's easy as ABC!

Air and accessories: tires filled to correct pressure and accessories properly in place
Brakes: brakes sufficiently tight and properly aligned
Chain: clean and lubricated

Please visit the Otesha Project website for more information.

Derailleur adjustments

The most common derailleur adjustments involve setting the inner and outer limits and fine-tuning with the barrel adjuster. We learned that the barrel adjuster can be found in different spots depending on your bike. 

Limit adjusting screws

Barrel adjuster B

Barrel adjuster A

Says Leslie, "The workshop was great. While I've done some basic maintenance before it's great to get a refresher, and to be reminded that if your bike is not working don't be afraid to play with it to figure out what's wrong, you're unlikely to make it worse!"

We are grateful to Ryan for being so generous with his time and for the support from re-Cycles to run the clinic. Stay tuned for future posts on other topics covered in this workshop.

In other news, we learned that Valerie will not be joining on the trip. She will be relocating to Singapore instead. While we are sad not to have her, we support her decision to seize this opportunity.

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Long distance bike training

Our approach to training is all over the map, but we're all agreed that it's important to get on our bikes as much as possible between now and the trip departure.

Says Val, "Well, I just confirmed my participation last week, so the training is not going well. However, over the last 48 hours, I've built a training schedule and found two training groups." 

Even if some of us have been putting more time on the bike than others, we all lead active lifestyles and feel confident about our planned distances. 

The total trip is scheduled to take 26 days, including four rest days. We will bike an average of 94 km per day and cover about 2100 km in total.

Most of us have focussed on building our training both in terms of frequency and distance covered. "At this point, I'm trying to get out at least 4-5 times a week including two long rides of 80 km each and 3 shorter rides closer to 40 km each," says Emma.

Besides personal training goals, it's also important for us to learn how we ride together as a group. In addition to learning how we ride our bikes, we are also learning about each other’s needs, "stopping often, keeping water bottles topped up... each person is a bit different so we have to get used to each other," says Sheila.

There is no doubt training takes a lot of time. Continues Sheila, "It does take a lot of hours to get the training in that we need, especially given our busy work lives and other activities."

And, increasing frequency too quickly puts us at higher risk of injury. For Danielle, training is on hold because, "I guess I went too far on more challenging terrain. My approach is to rest now and heal." 

There is a tendency to ride through injuries, but we all aim to be aware of our bodies for any signs of injury. 

For the most part, training has occurred in and around Ottawa. A few of us had a training weekend in Westport, where we racked up 325 kms in three days!

Sheila, Meg and Emma in Westport
Source: G Mallach

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A bit about us

This started out as a month-long vacation among friends doing something we love: cycling. It's turning into a summer of training with a fundraising goal. We've all known each other for a few years--some of us going back to childhood--and have been on some bike tours and camping trips together. This is easily the longest group bike trip any of us have ever taken. With our shared sense of adventure, love of the great outdoors, and organizational skills, we're feeling up to the challenge.

Sheila, Meg and Emma riding
Source: G Mallach

Sheila, Meg, Leslie and Danielle will be setting off directly from Ottawa on Mon., Aug. 12--just four weeks from now!

Emma will meet up with the group in Quebec City for 10 days of biking. This may be the most challenging terrain. She's looking forward to the Gaspésie and really hopes to see a whale or two!

Kyle will be joining the group in Rimouski for seven days of biking through the Gaspé peninsula. He hopes to enjoy some hills, ocean views, and camping,

Valerie will bring her energy and spirit to the group for the final leg of the trip into Halifax. She's coming all the way from Beijing, where she has been living for the past 1.5 years, and we're really excited to have her with us for about five days.

This bike trip would not be possible if it weren't for our driver: Victor. Transporting our gear, tailing us on busy highways, and coming to the rescue in the event of emergencies, Victor will be nearby in our rental van should we encounter any trouble.

Danielle notes, "arising from the physical challenge was an opportunity to raise money to benefit Easter Seals Ontario, which makes the long distances that much more rewarding and motivating." We are all committed to the Easter Seals' cause and are eager to raise money to support kids in need.

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Introduction

Post by: Sheila Gordon

Our small team of motivated and enthusiastic cyclists is travelling from Ottawa to Halifax this summer, by bicycle! Over four weeks, we will be following the shores of the St. Lawrence, through Quebec City, around Gaspé Peninsula, and down through New Brunswick and Nova Scotia to Halifax!

We are riding to explore our country, spend some time together as friends, and to raise money for an awesome cause: Easter Seals Ontario - helping kids with physical disabilities succeed. This organization provides programs and services to children and youth with physical disabilities across Ontario to help them achieve greater independence, accessibility and integration. From their famous summer camps to financial assistance, resources and support, scholarships, and awareness - this is truly a great cause to ride for.

Many thanks in advance for your support. 

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Sheila

Meg and Leslie

Kyle and Danielle

Victor

Emma

Valerie