After a month of not publishing nothing due to a number of reasons ( lazyness, tiredness, frustation with Victoria), I am back. I plan to keep the blog updtated on a regular basis.
I was just browsing through the Transportation plan 2007 from Ville de Montreal ( http://ville.montreal.qc.ca/portal/page?_pageid=4577,7769581&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL). Overall, the plan is oriented towards making Montreal more accesible by common and active transporation. They have an ambition program for Bycicles. It includes several parking for Bikes, extended ciclying network and conditioning of STM buses to carry bikes. I hope that they achieve everything that they propose in the plan. I want to see that Montreal becomes more biker friendly.
KUDOS for la VILLE de MONTREAL!!!!!
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Happy riding on Beaubien Street!!!!
Last Saturday, I had one of the most memorial riding experiences so far in the winter. I dont' remember exactly but I think there were maybe about 10 to 15 cm of snow. When I waked up, it was snowing.
I had to go work that morning. I probably should have mentioned that on the weekdays I work at the Royal Bank of Canada and on Saturday mornings I take care of a person with disabilities that live on Jeanne Mance Street in Mile End of Montreal.
To go to my destination, I usually take Jean Talon Street and then take Clark Street and then Laurier Street and BINGO!!!!, I reach my destination. Fed up of doing the same route, I decide to take on Beaubien Street for peaceful riding. There is less traffic on that street and it has less holes, which is good for the bike and for me.
It was an amazing ride. I was so excited about it!!!!. It was not snowing that bad, the temperature was mild ( 2C) and the wind were pretty calm. It was a winning combination. I barely slide on the street. I loved the way people were looking at me. Some people were smiling with amazement and other were honking with their cars. I feel proud and accomplished.
I arrived at Fairmount bagels which is on the way to my work. The adress is:www.fairmountbagel.com I had my snow hat and my ski goggles. The lady at the counter was shocked at little bit. She thought I was going to do a hold up. I went to her and I said in a loud voice GIVE ALL THE BAGELS!!!!!. She start cracking up. It was so funny. I picked up my hot bagels and I continued in peace to my destination.
Today however, it is a different story. There is a storm going on outside. We have about 15cm-30cm of snow, freezing rain and crazy winds....Victoria was scared to go outside and so I.
Weather today at downtown Montreal
Picture courtesy of Meteomedia
I had to go work that morning. I probably should have mentioned that on the weekdays I work at the Royal Bank of Canada and on Saturday mornings I take care of a person with disabilities that live on Jeanne Mance Street in Mile End of Montreal.
To go to my destination, I usually take Jean Talon Street and then take Clark Street and then Laurier Street and BINGO!!!!, I reach my destination. Fed up of doing the same route, I decide to take on Beaubien Street for peaceful riding. There is less traffic on that street and it has less holes, which is good for the bike and for me.
It was an amazing ride. I was so excited about it!!!!. It was not snowing that bad, the temperature was mild ( 2C) and the wind were pretty calm. It was a winning combination. I barely slide on the street. I loved the way people were looking at me. Some people were smiling with amazement and other were honking with their cars. I feel proud and accomplished.
I arrived at Fairmount bagels which is on the way to my work. The adress is:www.fairmountbagel.com I had my snow hat and my ski goggles. The lady at the counter was shocked at little bit. She thought I was going to do a hold up. I went to her and I said in a loud voice GIVE ALL THE BAGELS!!!!!. She start cracking up. It was so funny. I picked up my hot bagels and I continued in peace to my destination.
Today however, it is a different story. There is a storm going on outside. We have about 15cm-30cm of snow, freezing rain and crazy winds....Victoria was scared to go outside and so I.
Weather today at downtown Montreal
Picture courtesy of Meteomedia
Thursday, February 28, 2008
A gem in the plateau.....
Sometimes, the best things in life are just around the corner......
This is the case in question with this particular bike store. The name is the Le Grand Cycle. http://www.legrandcycle.com/. The store is located in the plateau, the heart of the hip community in Montreal. The store is on the way to work from my home right in the bicycle path.
The stores caters to the cycling in public in general but more in general to experienced bikers such as bicycle couriers and mountain bikers. They have an open workshop concept. You actually see the work is that is being done. The staff is very experienced and friendly. They give you tips on how to take care of your bike and the maintenance needed in every season. As the work is being done in your bike, you can have a cup of joe ( They make really good coffee there), or a juice or snack. The times that I have been there, I always felt welcome.
I give this place an A+++
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Gastronomic tour by bike in Montreal part I
These are the places to eat that I like to visit by bike when I am riding in Montreal.
- Marche Tropicana. 5372 Rue Jean Talon east. (514) 728-6872. This is a small venezuelan cafe that serves typical venezuelan food such as empanadas, arepas, sancocho. They serve other specialties from other latin-american countries such as Colombia and Salvador. I like to have breakfast there on Sundays before I embark on long rides. The food is cozy and yummy!!! and the owners Juan and Omaira are very friendly with the clientele!!!.
- Toi Moi & Cafe. Corner of Laurier St and Jeanne Mance in the plateau. (514) 275-9599. This is the place to have an expresso in Montreal. They make a kickass cofee in this place. They also have azaming desserts and heavenly breakfasts. Every saturday morning before I go to work I stop to have my cofee shot. It makes the day smile.....http://www.toimoicafe.com/
- Pizzeria Napoletana. 189 Dante Street in the heart of Little Italy. (514) 276-8226. In my opinion one of the best places to have pizza in Montreal. They have a selection of over 30 pizzas and serve pasta and mussels. To have a meal here is the perfect happy ending of any bike trip. http://www.napoletana.com/
- Havre aux Glaces. Jean Talon and Atwater Market. This is an excellent ice cream shop that makes all kinds of intriguing ice creams. My favorite combination is the pistacho with nutella. It is to die for!!!!!!!!.
- Cocoa Locale on Parc Avenue. I love this tiny bakery on mile end. They make hedonistic cakes such as Valhrona chocolate and leomon pie. It is the excellent excuse to take your bikr.
Monday, February 25, 2008
Small trip to Repentigny
Today, it was gorgeous day in Montreal. The temperature was between -1c and -5c. There was a gorgeous sun all over the city. I wanted to profit from the day and decided to bike for a few hours. My destination was the city of Repentigny on the east side of Montreal. I wanted to explore the access to that part of the city because I will be passing through there this summer to go to Trois-Rivieres.
It took me about 1h to go to Repentigny from St-Leonard in Montreal. The trip was an excellent idea to because it made break away from the routine of cycling to work everyday and I discovered the winter scenery of Boulevard Gouin.
I really enjoyed the ride in Boulevard Gouin. I was rolling close to 30km per hour most of the times and there was not traffic at all. I felt like the boulevard belonged to me and there was nobody to steal it from me. As I was riding I also was observing the movement and structure of the frozen ice caps of the St-Lawrence river. All together it was an exhilarating experience. I stopped two times in the boulevard and I contemplated the smell of the frozen river. It was really nice. It was a mixture of smells such as snow, vegetation and chlorine.
On the way back home, I took Boulevard Notre Dame. It was hard riding there because the wind was moving against me. I was trying to maintain a decent speed but the closest I could get was 15-19 km per hour. There was not much to see there. It was just old decrepit buildings and industrial areas. It only stopped to call my girlfriend to let her know that I was ok and to get a protein bar because I was really hungry.
All together it was 3 hours of riding. I came home with my legs hurting but very invigorated!!!!.
It took me about 1h to go to Repentigny from St-Leonard in Montreal. The trip was an excellent idea to because it made break away from the routine of cycling to work everyday and I discovered the winter scenery of Boulevard Gouin.
I really enjoyed the ride in Boulevard Gouin. I was rolling close to 30km per hour most of the times and there was not traffic at all. I felt like the boulevard belonged to me and there was nobody to steal it from me. As I was riding I also was observing the movement and structure of the frozen ice caps of the St-Lawrence river. All together it was an exhilarating experience. I stopped two times in the boulevard and I contemplated the smell of the frozen river. It was really nice. It was a mixture of smells such as snow, vegetation and chlorine.
On the way back home, I took Boulevard Notre Dame. It was hard riding there because the wind was moving against me. I was trying to maintain a decent speed but the closest I could get was 15-19 km per hour. There was not much to see there. It was just old decrepit buildings and industrial areas. It only stopped to call my girlfriend to let her know that I was ok and to get a protein bar because I was really hungry.
All together it was 3 hours of riding. I came home with my legs hurting but very invigorated!!!!.
Saturday, February 23, 2008
10 reasons why you should bike in winter
You should do cycling in winter because...
- Simply it is very fun!!!!!!
- You energize yourself before coming to work and the ride back home takes away the stress from a hard day at the office.
- The feeling of breathing icy cold air is just amazing. Everything feels very pure.
- It is very pleasant to ride after it has just snowed. I love the crunchy sound that my bike make against the show.
- You can eat more during the winter season and not to worry too much about the calories because you are shedding them away.
- I just love the look on my coworkers face when I tell them that I took the bike on a cold day when is -20c. They say to me you are a very brave man.
- Get rid of the winter blues. Get some exposure to the sun and release endorphins. They really help out to relieve depression and bad thoughts.
- I love cycling in a snow storm!!!!!. I feel like i am taking an adventure.
- Maintain your shape. In April when the cycling season start, you will be in much better shape than the seasonal bikers.
- Avoid the bus and metro. In general, I hate taking public transportation. I hate it even more in winter where you are packed like sardines....
With these reasons for winter cycling, you should be enough motivated to start riding in winter.
Friday, February 22, 2008
The beginning
Hello the web....
A little bit about myself....
This is Victoria my touring bike. I have an habit of naming objects that I have a personal relationship with it. I bought this bike on May 2007 at La Source Sport in St-Leonard, Montreal ( http://www.icisport.com/). I gotta tell you...It was love at the first sight. I bought the bike on credit. I pay every month 60 bucks to citifinanciere. My bike will be paid out completely on 2009. Let me tell you, it is a very sound investment. For 60 bucks, you get a a pretty good combo ( save on the metro card and the painful gym fee).
My name is Marco Giovanetti and this is the first time that I am making a blog on the web. The blog will be about biking in general but will include other subjects such as wine, the x-files and interesting off the track things about Montreal.
A little bit about myself....
I am going to be 30 years in the coming april 29th 2008. I am Italian-Venezuelan and have been living in Montreal more or less since 1995. I like a variety of stuff that includes wine, cooking and reading to a certain extent and riding my bicycle. I ride a Gary fisher Mendota 2007. You can see some of the bikes that they make at http://www.fisherbikes.com/. Biking is a becoming a sort of new passion form me. First, I was passionate about wine and food which I will talk about later in other blogs and now slowly biking is my darling.
VICTORIA MY TOURING BIKE
This is Victoria my touring bike. I have an habit of naming objects that I have a personal relationship with it. I bought this bike on May 2007 at La Source Sport in St-Leonard, Montreal ( http://www.icisport.com/). I gotta tell you...It was love at the first sight. I bought the bike on credit. I pay every month 60 bucks to citifinanciere. My bike will be paid out completely on 2009. Let me tell you, it is a very sound investment. For 60 bucks, you get a a pretty good combo ( save on the metro card and the painful gym fee).
I ride Victoria every day, even in winter!!!!. I ride to go to work every day, I ride for fun and I ride for exercise. I have discovered that riding a bicycle is an excellent activity for your spirit. It gives you different perspective on life. Suddenly you feel more independent and you see the world with different eyes. You discover your surroundings at a different pace. You discover new streets in your city and discover places off the beaten track..
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