We asked: When was the last time you cleaned your chain and do you do anything special to keep it nice?

Photographs by Yvonne Bambrick and interviews by Sarah Greene

This month, dandyhorse started a new column focused on learning a bit more about the mechanics of specific bike parts and how to take care of them. The first part to be featured was the chain.

So we asked some cyclists in Kensington Market a few questions about their chains, and discovered that a) not all bikes have chains and b) for many riders, Friday March 8 (because it was a lovely afternoon) was their first ride of the season! Because it’s been in the news lately — its building is being listed for rent — we shot in front of Casa Acoreana, at the corner of Augusta and Baldwin.

My recommended musical accompaniment: Chains

Selina Martin

Wait a sec, I think I know you: are you Selina Martin?

Yeah. I just took my bike out. It was hanging in my apartment.

Your chain looks pretty good, is there anything you do to keep it nice?

I oiled it when I put it away a month ago and then I just got it out today. I clean my chain, but not very regularly, and I WD40 it and oil it. I’ve taken my bike to car washes where they use power washes, but I’ve since heard that doing that can mess up your chain, so I haven’t done that in a while. I’ve had it for 25 years and my brother-in-law had it before that for five years.

Christian St. Pierre

You were saying your chain is new?

I bought this chain in November and assembled the whole bike myself from parts – old pieces and new pieces – this is a brand new chain I got off a guy on College. It works pretty good. I rode it through the winter.

What do you do to take care of your chain?

I put oil on it a few times during the winter, but as you can see the sand and the salt [get in there]. I’m just going to have to de-oil it with a degreaser and then re-oil it and clean all the parts around it. Tip: Got to keep your pants away from your chain after you oil it.

Jim Gardiner

So you don’t have a chain — what is that?

Instead of a chain on this single-speed bike I’ve got a Kevlar belt, which I was attracted to because I thought it would mean less winter maintenance — and it has, absolutely. There’s no lubricant on it and it just runs dry and it’s been no problem so far and I ran it all this winter very hard.

It only could work on a single speed because you wouldn’t be able to use it with a traditional derailleur; you could use it with an internal hub.

All you have to do is keep tension on it, which is adjusted back here with these screws at the back and I haven’t even had to adjust it yet.

I bought it at MEC – no one else sold anything else like it. I checked every other bike shop in town.

Peter Brown

This is your first ride of the year?

Yes, my bike has been locked on my front porch since the first snowfall so this is the first day back on the bike. There’s rust in a few places, but my chain seems to be surviving.

Do you do anything to keep your chain nice?

I do clean it maybe once a year with grease, with oil, and I lube it up every now and again.

Lindsey Tighe

Do you remember the last time that you cleaned your chain?

It’s been a couple years, for sure. My bike has been away for the winter — I just pulled it off the balcony because it’s so beautiful.

Is there anything that you do to keep your chain nice?

No, I just ride it. Honestly. When I put the seat on a couple years ago, [the mechanic] did a whole tune-up thing, but since then … I know that’s bad (not putting oil on it).

Katie Nicholson

When was the last time that you cleaned your chain?

I actually just picked it up this morning from the shop – from Bikes On Wheels – they cleaned it for me and tuned it up.

Is there something that you do at home to take care of your chain?

No, but I probably should. It was a new bike, so I haven’t had to yet, but I will definitely keep it oiled. I got it last summer so this was my first tune up.

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So what should you do to take care of your chain? Read out first ever dandyMechanics column: the Chain to find out.

Related on the dandyBlog:

dandyMechanics Part One: The Chain

Bike Spotting homepage

We asked: Are you going to Come Up To My Room? And what would you like to see improved or changed for cyclists on Queen West?

Photos by Hyedie Hashimoto, interviews by Sarah Greene

Our Bike Spotting team braved temperatures of -12 C (with a wind chill of -20) to check out the first night of Come Up To My Room, the Gladstone’s Alternative Design Show (it’s celebrating its tenth anniversary this year and is on until Sunday, January 27).

Even in the frigid weather, bike parking was scarce on Queen and Gladstone.

Christina Ott

Are you going to Come Up To My Room?

Yes. I participated in it for a few years, so I usually go back and see how everything’s going … I was there yesterday for a party. There’s a Capacity show – an all-women design show – going on today, and I have a friend that’s in it, so I’m going to go see it.

Is there anything you’d like to see changed or improved for cyclists on Queen West?

Perhaps people who are doing all the development, that are ruining the roads could improve the road conditions, cause it’s kind of hard to drive or ride your bike when there are so many pot holes.

And I guess more bike locks all over the city, because it’s sometimes really hard to find. Look, it’s the winter, and this is the only one that is available.

Shawnie B

Are you going to Come Up To My Room?

No.

Is there anything you’d like to see changed or improved for cyclists on Queen West?

Cars. That they respect us. Because they just open their car doors, and it’s not a good thing for us, because they’re not looking, and if more people were aware of what they are doing, then there wouldn’t be situations where people get hurt.

Melanie Gorka

Are you planning on going to Come Up To My Room?

Not today, but I’m going to be going there over the weekend.

What do you like about it?

I really like the constraints they put on the artists, working in certain rooms. I really would love an art installation where you can go in and out of rooms. I was there last year and I thought that the artists were awesome. This year a couple of my friends are doing an installation, so should be really cool.

Is there anything you’d like to see changed or improved for cyclists on Queen West / in Parkdale?

I should love bike lanes but barring that there’s a couple of side streets where it would be awesome if they weren’t one-way streets so I wouldn’t be breaking the law.

Maybe contraflow lanes?

Yeah, or at least just one of those signs that says bikes are allowed — and I would love drivers to pay more attention.

Geoffrey Bercarich

Are you planning on going to Come Up To My Room?

I was thinking about it yes.

Have you been to it before? Is there something you like about it?

I think sometimes the artists play with sexy themes, and it’s kind of fun to get that out there, in a hotel.

What would like to see changed or improved for cyclists on Queen West and in Parkdale?

There’s a lot of bridges and a lot of cyclists die on bridges, and they get hurt. So if we have a specific lane marking dedicating cyclists to a specific portion to the road for any overpass or underpass, I think that’s a great step in the right direction, you can see it at Dufferin going north, but that’s it. And you can also see it in the Junction, where lots of cyclists have went down in the past 20 years, so they’ve decided to put down lane-like things — there’s no lanes but the lane shows up when the bridge shows up.

If Austin, Texas can do this, we can do this.

Related on the dandyBLOG:

Heels On Wheels: Magda Olszanowski

For more info on Come Up To My Room, see here.

Photos by Tammy Thorne

What do you wear when you bike in the winter?

When I ride, summer or winter, my focus is on mobility and visibility. I wear padded shorts, Modrobes tights and Under Armour outer layer. On top, I wear a Modrobes base layer long sleeve, a hoodie of some sort, and Modrobes Modarchy jacket. Gloves, a toque under my helmet, and occasionally a kerchief to cover my face if it’s really bad out. I usually have my YNOT backpack on, carrying all my essential bike parts for when I’m in a pinch. The two most essential parts of my outfit, however, is my facial hair, and Burt’s Bees Hand Salve. I use the salve on my cheeks, nose, lips and anywhere else that may be exposed while I ride. It keeps the skin moist and protected from the wind and cold. AMAZING stuff!

Why is biking still the best way to go in wintertime?

Biking is always the best way around the city, as long as you’re prepared. When ice and slush hit, you need to know what you’re doing. Disc breaks are a saviour, I’m told, wish I had them!

How long have you been biking through the winter?

I’ve only rode in the city during the winter for two years, but it was a pretty natural transition. Just had to layer more!

Alexander Waddling is a student at Ryerson University studying psychology. He runs a fundraising bike-a-thon called Ride For A Dream to end violence against women. The group rode from Toronto to Vancouver last year and has a ride planned to St. John’s this summer.

View all of our self-submitted Winter Bike Spotting profiles here.

Related on the dandyBLOG:

Winter Bike Spotting: Dashing dandy duos

Photos by Sarah Greene

What do you use when you bike in the winter?

First, tires. I started using studs several years ago. When studded tires get old, some of the studs drop out when braking hard. Studs may work their way through the tire casing and cause punctures.

A few years ago, after being forced to retire my previous winter bike, a 30-year-old Raleigh, I tried a bike specially made for winter, a Garneau Sub-Zero. This is what I still use in foul weather. It has ‘cam and roller’ brakes which work in wet weather, and a 7-speed internal-gear hub. It can be had with studded tires. It is also a heavy bike. With the gear and rear brake cables attached to the rear hub, it is a major chore to change the rear tire. I get around this problem by using tires with high puncture resistance. The chain and gears can get severely worn after a couple of years, increasing the chances of the chain coming off. This may damage part of the gearshift mechanism called the ‘cassette joint’, which in my experience seems to be quite fragile. I continue to use the Garneau Sub-Zero because in spite of these drawbacks, it is still worthy of the name ‘bicycle’.

Close up of the Garneau Sub-Zero (made for winter riding)

For clothing, I wear layers. Last winter I bought a Gore Bike Wear jacket, which is convenient because it reduces the number of layers I have to wear, and reduces the time spent getting dressed. It is warm but not waterproof. I wear double gloves. When using Neoprene boots over my cycling shoes, I use toe clips and straps instead of clipless pedals because I do not like to cut holes in soles of the Neoprene boots. This can lead to snow getting into the boots and collecting around the toes of the shoes.

I also wear nylon gaiters which keep the slush off the bottoms of my pants. These are useful for other winter activities. I also use a pair of Exustar winter cycling shoes. I bought them one size larger so I can use really thick socks.

I wear a fleece helmet liner when temperatures go below -5 Celsius. Being a male, I grow a full beard starting in November. This avoids the need for a balaclava. I have survived cycling in temperatures as low as -20 Celsius. Arriving at work with my beard encrusted with ice gives me a macho feeling. And I never have to scrape my windshield.

Why is biking still the best way to go in wintertime?

Cycling is the best way to go in winter for the same reason it is the best way at any other time of year. It’s fun, economical, self-sufficient, and environmentally friendly.

Douglas Yardley is a 61-year old factory worker, and volunteer for various causes. He graduated from U of T in 1975 and has been biking through the winter for about 14 years.

A maintenance tip from Yardley: “When using clipless pedals, it is a very good idea to check the cleat screws every week to prevent them from seizing. Once the screws seize you will be stuck with either worn cleats that cannot be replaced, or worn shoes from which the cleats cannot be salvaged.”

View all of our self-submitted Winter Bike Spotting profiles here.

Related on the dandyBLOG:

Winter Bike Spotting: Dashing dandy duos

dandyhorse knows most of you are still out there biking it and liking it! But there are many people who turn to TTC or SOV (single occupancy vehicle) in winter. So we decided to do a special winter Bike Spotting set of some dashing (and dandy) duos and asked them: Why is the bike still the best way to get around in winter?

As dandy senior editor Steve Brearton says: “Biking is the best way to get around in winter for the same reason it’s the best any other time of year: it’s faster, more convenient, healthier, more sustainable and ultimately, much more fun. Riding in the sun on a clear, crisp winter day is heaven.”

We also asked them what they wear while winter wheeling around town. Special thanks to dandies Randy Chung (design and web programming), Sarah Greene (web editor), Kyuwon Kim (social media) and Victoria Salvas (newsletter and circulation) for their help in putting this, and our first dandy newsletter together for the holidays.

And, finally, a Big Thanks to long-time dandy photographic contributor Yvonne Bambrick for these great photos of some of our dearest dandies!

Photos by Yvonne Bambrick

Text by dandyhorse staff

Steve Brearton and Liz Kingstone and family

Steve Brearton

What are you guys wearing?

I try to layer as much as possible in the winter. I always wear a base layer (including long underwear if it’s really cold), a thin down jacket – this one was bought on sale for less than $10 at Club Monaco and an outer shell or jacket on top. I have two Rapha jackets I often wear and if it’s wet out I’ll throw another rain layer on top of that. Mitts are essential winter gear for me as are waterproof overshoes. The last thing I want is wet, cold feet. My hands get cold easily, so when the temperature dips, I’ll wear the warmest, puffiest MEC mitts I can. Until then I’ll don knits mitts, ‘cause they tend to breathe pretty nicely. I’ll also wear MEC rain pants if it’s extra mucky out – they zip off easily and insulate from the wind. My ears also freeze, so a hat is essential – this one is from Paul Smith – and I’m not beyond sticking a cycling skullcap under my hat. Perhaps the most important winter bike gear I have are fenders on my bike. My Marinoni is my everyday winter ride and it sports MEC fenders. I’ll carry a slightly bigger courier bag in winter to throw excess layers into when I start overheating.

I encourage my kids Sidney, 4, Simon, 7, and Henry 10, to also layer and really pay attention to keeping their hands and feet warm. They love riding anytime and weather seems to be no barrier to when they get on their bikes. In fact, the more snow and ice and slop the better, as far as they are concerned – it’s nothing that can’t be fixed with a hot chocolate or a band-aid. They don’t care about fenders.

My wife, Liz Kingstone wears whatever she wants, but it often includes a crazy, big hat. She’s a teacher and rides in the winter, but really only when the weather isn’t too inclement. She is also a big fan of fenders and rides a red bike to match her lipstick. She totally disregards winter gear and wears whatever she is going to wear (see previous sentence.)

Why do you ride in the wintertime?

I started riding year round when I moved to Toronto in 1987. There weren’t that many people riding in the winter then – you literally knew them or their bikes. Biking is the best way to get around in winter for the same reason it’s the best any other time of year: it’s faster, more convenient, healthier, more sustainable and ultimately, much more fun. Riding in the sun on a clear, crisp winter day is heaven.

Writer and dandyhorse senior editor Steve Brearton has been riding year round for 26 years. Steve has been contributing to dandyhorse since issue #1! 

View Steve, Liz and family’s individual profile here with added detail photos.

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Molly Crealock and Jan Philip Miksa and Charlie

Molly Crealock

What are you wearing?

I’m wearing mittens from Wise Daughters Craft Market, Blundstone boots, Dockers, a jacket from Ikeda and a sweater from Costa Blanca. I’m also wearing a helmet from Urbane Cyclist (the Xtracycle extension is from there too) and my bike is from Set Me Free. We use a child seat from Sweet Pete’s.

Charlie is wearing a Woodland jacket, pants from the Children’s Place, Cherokee boots, mimiTENS mittens from Baby On The Hip, a helmet from Swete Pete’s and a handmade scarf (care of Nana Oya).

Why is it still best to get around by bike in winter?

I messed up my knee riding in high gear during winter, a while back. I have learned not to push quite as hard when it’s cold. I have also stopped riding when there’s ice and slush on the roads. And I try to remember that the days are shorter and that good bike lights are more important now. I don’t take Charlie out on the bike when it’s below -5 or so. Otherwise, riding in winter is still the fastest, cheapest, easiest and healthiest way to get around town. My bike is my de facto mode of transportation. I love the freedom and the fresh air and I hate to wait.

Chief dandy photographer Molly Crealock has been riding year-round in Toronto for 15 years. Molly has been contributing to dandyhorse since the start, including most of our fabulous Heels on Wheels profiles.

Jan Philip Miksa

What are you wearing?

I’m wearing an Oakley jacket, jeans from Jack & Jones, Finn Comfort shoes, and a Wind River hat and gloves. I got my bike at Bike Pirates.

Why is it still best to get around by bike in winter?

For me, the bike is a tool to get from point A to B. A deeper loving relationship between me and my bike hasn’t developed yet but I passionately love this planet, especially the old growth forest. As a practicing environmentalist I try to inspire by example and ride my bike in almost all weather. Thinking of getting a horse though…

A biodynamic farmer by training, Jan is working to realize his dream farm: “Deer Fields Farm.” He is currently working at Dufferin Grove Park in Toronto. He’s been riding all year since age 12.

View Molly, Jan and Charlie’s individual profile here with additional detail photos.

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Randy Chung and Katie Russell

Randy Chung

Please tell us about what you are wearing?

I’m not wearing any bike-specific gear. I think the trick is just to layer up and keep warm. I’ve got a pea coat and big wool scarf over a knit cardigan over a button down shirt over a t-shirt. I have knit mittens on, and sometimes when it’s colder, I’ll have smaller gloves under those mitts. I have a toque that I can fold down over my ears when necessary, and some insulated winter boots. I have YNOT straps on my pedals, which are great for the winter, because I can adjust them out to fit over my boots. When it gets messy out, I have a clip-on fender for my back wheel, but I didn’t need it today.

Why is biking the best way to go even in the winter?

Biking is a great way to get around in winter because it’s just easier. No waiting for streetcars, no searching (and paying) for parking.

Web developer and designer Randy Chung has been winter biking for about 3 years now. Randy has been our web programmer and designer since we launched our fab new site here at dandyhorsemagazine.com – thanks Randy!

Katie Russell

Please tell us about what you are wearing.

I’m wearing a long-sleeved shirt underneath my dress for extra warmth, and two pairs of socks – one under my tights, and one over them. My coat is a furry, leopard print, vintage number that I picked up pretty cheap in the UK, but it’s already seen me through two winters, and I’m hoping it’ll last at least another one! I wear a woolly beanie under my helmet – I deliberately bought a helmet with an expandable interior so that I could wear a hat underneath it to keep my ears warm in the winter. I also wear gloves that have mitten flaps so that I can easily get my fingers out to lock and unlock my bike. When it starts to get even colder, I’ll swap my tights for fleece-lined leggings, wear an extra scarf, swap my ankle socks for over-knee ones, and bring out my winter boots.

Why bike in the winter?

Biking is still the quickest way to get around in the winter, and even though it’s cold, if you dress appropriately, you don’t really feel it. Plus you don’t have to stand around waiting for transit.

Katie is a research assistant at the Modern Literature and Culture Research Centre at Ryerson University. This is her first winter biking in Toronto, since moving here just over a year ago.

View Randy and Katie’s individual profile here with detail photos.

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Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam and Tristan A. Downe-Dewdney

Kristyn Wong-Tam

What are you wearing?

Cold weather cycling wear is all about layers for me. If it was raining or snowing, I would also have my bright Gore-Tex shell on to keep me dry. Today, I’m wearing a suede car coat and double wool scarf both from Coach, a Zara lambswool tweed jacket, Brooks Brothers cotton dress shirt and wool pants, Sugoi blend fabric socks and Bally boots. My equestrian gloves are lined with 40 grams of insulation and were purchased from the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair. My red toque is by Raising the Roof, a great charity that raises awareness about homelessness. I’m also wearing two pieces of jewellery that are special to me. A fine silver ring by renowned Mexican artist Rodolfo Padilla. It’s a loved souvenir from my Guadalajara Ciclovia trip and it showcases relief sculptures of a cyclist wearing a sombrero. Finally, I’m wearing a beautiful jade Kwan Yin “Goddess of Mercy” pendant. It brings peace and compassion to my heart and hopefully on the road as well.

Why bike in the winter?

Biking is still one of the best ways to get around because it’s cheaper, often faster, and it gives me a chance to stay in shape during the long winter months. It’s an amazing way to burn off the additional holiday calories!

Krystin Wong-Tam is councillor for Ward 27, Toronto Centre-Rosedale.

Tristan A. Downe-Dewdney

What are you wearing?

After cycling through a Waterloo winter during grad school, I learned that good gloves and a warm coat are absolute necessities for staying warm. My warm leather gloves are from London Fog and my coat was a lucky find from a boutique shop I stumbled upon in Montreal. It stops the wind and is incredibly warm with the right layers.

While I like to arrive to work prepared for the day, I always leave my better shoes in the office as the weather gets worse and the salt trucks come out. Similarly, I will don jeans for the ride if the roads are wet. Cycling is much more enjoyable when the seasonal slush and spray are non-issues.

Here are a few more details about my outfit: my thick and warm scarf is from Banana Republic; my basic grey suit for work is from Le Chateau (which helps for layering, but it’s the coat that provides the real warmth.)

Why bike in the winter?

While the TTC makes it easy for me to get from my home near Yonge and St. Clair to City Hall, cycling is almost always the better option. In the warm months, I want to take advantage of the great weather. In the fall and winter, cycling is still the fastest way to get from A to B, especially as the subway hits capacity at rush hour with students commuting downtown.

Tristan is Constituency and Planning Assistant to Councillor Wong-Tam.

View the Kristyn and Tristan’s individual profile here, with detail photos.

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Ian Flett and Elizabeth (Liz) Radshaw

Ian Flett

What do you wear when winter cycling?

I need to have the versatility of clothes appropriate for court while being comfortable on my bike. I wear dress boots that are waterproofed with the Italian waterproofing paste from MEC. I wear my suit. My riding position on my Pashley makes wearing a wool overcoat comfy as ever. With collar popped, the only “technical” clothing I wear are my biking gloves and a neck tube. I find staying cool is the hard part, so I like to wear things I can adjust easily while riding. I can pull the neck tube over or under my mouth. My coat collar can be adjusted to let air in or keep it out. I wear my rabbit fur hat with flaps up or down.

Why do you bike in the winter?

I used to ride in Winnipeg and Saskatoon winters. That required far more preparation and equipment than here. Toronto winters are a breeze by comparison. I find the TTC expects people to be grateful for packing us in like sardines and waiting for the luxury! Driving in Toronto requires a special kind of masochism.

Ian Flett is a lawyer practicing municipal and administrative law downtown and has been biking for 25 years. He first started winter riding in 1990.

Liz Radshaw

What do you wear while winter riding?

Toronto has recently enjoyed a few mild winters so I’ve not had to suit up in full weatherproof riding gear recently.

In this image, (although you can’t see them) I’m wearing the finest wool socks money can buy (even if  you pinched them from your boyfriend’s drawer.) Warm dry feet are one of the most critical elements for winter biking. I recently purchased a light-weight, compact down hooded jacket. It is perfect for layering under stylish wool jackets for extra warmth. Finally, I wear a high visibility neon jacket over just about everything. When the weather is frightful, being visible is key. Safety first, fashion second.

Why ride through winter?

The main reason I bike in the winter is the work commute. I enjoy the idea of embracing old man winter rather then battling him. Also, it is delightful to arrive to the office with wind-bitten rosy cheeks and the sense of accomplishment that biking to work can give you.

Hot Docs industry programs director Liz Radshaw has been an all-season cyclist since 2003.

View Ian and Liz’s individual profile here.

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Cycle Toronto’s Jared Kolb and Lynda Young

Lynda Young

What are you wearing?

Layering is the best way to dress for winter cycling. It helps me keep my body at the most comfortable temperature, by removing or adjust the layers as I get too warm or cold.

My must haves: scarf, wool beret,hat or toque, wool mittens or gloves, Merino wool lightweight long johns, Merino wool lightweight hoodie (long sleeves), Merino wool socks (check out Cycle Toronto‘s Merino wool socks on sale in major bike shops around Toronto), fleece long sleeves or fleece vest, waterproof jacket (long enough to go past my waist), waterproof pants, waterproof gloves, snow boots, or waterproof shoe covers.

I tend to bring more layers than most people really need. That’s because I grew up on a tropical island. So I am usually happier to be too warm than too cold.

Also, a common misconception is that winter is too cold for cycling. On the contrary, friends who do cycle in the winter tell me they often get too warm, rather than too cold. This is because your body warms up really quickly with the pedalling. It comes down to dressing right to regulate your body temperature. That’s why I find layering works.

Why is biking still the best way to go in the winter?

Cycling is my primary means of transportation. Even in the winter, I find cycling more enjoyable than being packed in a subway or a streetcar. It allows me to experience my commute by enjoying the environment and my neighbourhood. I also enjoy seeing people on the streets and exchanging a friendly smile with them.

Lynda is outreach coordinator, ward advocacy co-captain for Bike27, and Street Smarts and Bike Watch volunteer for Cycle Toronto. She’s been a year-round cyclist since 2008, but moved to Toronto in 2010 and started winter cycling in 2011.

Jared Kolb

What I’m wearing that you can see: Patagonia Soft Shell Jacket — wind proof & water resistant, MEC Frigorific Headband — when the temperature drops below zero, I typically switch to a balaclava, Planet Bike Borealis lobster gloves — allows pinky & ring fingers to stay together while giving maximum dexterity and good protection from the wind, Serfas TRAX MTB clipless riding shoes — I prefer to ride clipless for my longer commute to Bloor and Bathurst from Jane and Bloor. This is my first year with these particular shoes, so I don’t know how well they’ll stand up in the cold. I’m also wearing nondescript jeans — and to provide great wind protection for really cold days, I add long johns under my jeans. I also have my Giro helmet on.

What I’m wearing that you can’t see: a warm sweater or MEC polar fleece (soft shell breathes well, but requires good insulation in the cold) and thermal socks.

What I normally wear for riding that I took off for photo shoot: eye protection — sun glasses in sunny conditions, clear glasses in cloudy or at night. Protecting your eyes is a must!

Why do you ride in the winter?

It’s one of the best times of year to ride! With the right gear, the cold’s really not a problem. Riding generates a fantastic amount of internal heat, which keeps you going. The air is crisp and really, who wants to stand in the cold waiting for a streetcar?

Jared Kolb is director of campaigns and membership for Cycle Toronto.

View Jared and Lynda’s individual profile here.

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Photos by Yvonne Bambrick and text compiled by dandyhorse staff. Yvonne Bambrick is a photographer and urban cycling consultant who also coordinates Pedestrian Sundays in Kensington Market. She also works at the BIA coordinator for two vibrant downtown neighbourhoods. Yvonne has been riding year-round since 2000, but have been using cycling for transportation since 1992.

dandyhorse will be doing more Bike Spotting than ever before in 2013. In January we’ll be posting some self-submitted winter Bike Spotting photos and stories from our readers, right here at dandyhorsemagazine.com/bikespotting and on the dandyBLOG.

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Related on the dandyBLOG:

dandyhorse’s Winter 2012 issue

dandyhorse Bike Spotting Winter 2012 – East

dandyhorse Bike Spotting Winter 2012 – West 

Winter bike profiles and photos by John Lee 

dandyhorse newsletter #1 – Happy Holidays!

We asked: what do you think of the new bike lane on Sherbourne?

Photos by Tammy Thorne/interviews by Sarah Greene

Edwin David

Of course I like it. I’m just wondering how they are going to clear the snow in winter. It’s very good except every now and then you can see cars that are parked on it.

Sarah Gates

This is my first time taking Sherbourne where it’s been the elevated and I felt very safe and comfortable. The pavement is smooth and I didn’t have to worry about any dips and veering out to avoid the catch basins and potholes. It’s great, aside from the construction…

Rick Collins

I love the pavement, because it’s actually smooth compared to what it used to be like. But, do I feel more protected from the traffic by a green stripe and a white stripe than just the white stripe alone? No. I mean, I would have been perfectly happy with them to just properly pave the bike lane and leave it as it was. Whatever it cost to do this was not worth it because they described it as physically separated bike lane and…that green stripe and little bit of concrete is not going to prevent the usual: delivery vehicles, people dropping off their kids, or stopping to run into the store.

Maybe the extra width in that green stripe will scare a few people from parking on it or swerving into it – I doubt it, but I’ll hope for the best. Really, the only obvious upside is that we’ve got nice, smooth, safe pavement, and we’re not dodging potholes.

Until they open the northbound lane on Sherbourne I take Jarvis, and I take the lane. But during rush hour going southbound I’m willing to go an extra few blocks (for the safety of the Sherbourne lane).

Daniel O’Brien

It’s absolutely gorgeous. The best pavement in the city. It’s such a delight to not have to worry about cars coming in from the left. Now there have been a lot of cars pulling over and putting on their hazards and parking on it. The section just between College and Wellesley is particularly bad, so I use the roadway a lot there because it’s being overused for car parking, but they’ll learn in time.

I’m a little confused about how we’re meant to operate when the bus pulls up, I guess the bikes stop when the bus is there, and the pedestrians go into the yellow box.

To answer Daniel’s question – see this design image below fro the City of Toronto. The TTC loading zone is referred to a “mixing area” and yes, cyclists must yield to pedestrians.

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Related on the dandyBLOG:

Bike Spotting: What is it like biking on Sherbourne Street?

Bike Spotting: What do you think of the bike bumps on Roncey?

Bike Spotting: What’s it like biking on Jarvis? (Do you know that City Hall voted to remove this bike lane?)

More info from the City of Toronto:

http://www.toronto.ca/cycling/network/sherbourne.htm#notices

We asked: What’s it like biking on John street and how could it be better?

Photos by Heather Reid /Interviews by Tammy Thorne

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Christine Hwang and her Brompton folding bike. (NB: She has four bikes and a Bixi membership.)

The problem with John street is actually connecting to it, because when you try to turn left there (north towards Grange Park) you would be going the wrong way (westward) so it would make sense just to have a separate bike lane going west (a contraflow lane) that is separated from traffic. I now know I can take this alley way to the south, to go west. I do take John all the way down to Front, and it’s better than some of the other routes going north/south, but past queen it is harder to feel safe.

I think the best idea would be to put a two-way (Montreal-style) separated bike lane on Simcoe because they do not need four lanes of cars going south on that street. That would be fabulous, so would a pedestrian friendly street, but if you have a pedestrian friendly space you are sometimes expected to get off and walk your bike and we are using our bikes for a mode of transportation, not for fun; to get to work or whatever so we need safe routes. I also had a hip problem a few years ago so I got a lot more into biking, it’s lower impact on my hip than walking.

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Jake Parsonson

I think they need a ramp right here so I can roll in and out of the park more easily. Get rid of the curb.

South of Queen has been under construction for over a decade it seems so I’d like them to finish that off soon. That will give us more room.

A pedestrian area here would be cool – add some cobblestones, have some street festivals – that sounds all right.

Bike ipod.

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Anna and Michael

M: John street is congested. There’s a lot of people out because it’s a nice day.

A: A lot of the drivers don’t pay attention – when you use bike signals it seems the car drivers don’t comprehend what you are doing. They are often parked in the bike lane too.

M: With all this construction there is a lot of detouring, which adds to congestion. Fewer parking spaces and better regulation of the way they are used might help.

A: They should make the cycling infrastructure more noticeable too – more visible.

M: They should expand the existing bike lanes further out in the city and connect them better… if they make the in between streets more bike friendly then we can connect and get around and avoid some of the streets where there are more cars.

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Jesse Rosensweet

I’m test riding a Yuba from Urbane. (Jesse took Heather for a ‘test’ ride through the Grange park to see how it handled with human cargo.)

Well…a juice bar would make John street better for cyclists.

A pedestrian area sounds interesting I heard about the counting project - cars and bikes – with Dave Meslin a couple of years back.

This little stub of John feels very urbane and bike-friendly but south of Queen the lack of pedestrian/cyclist-friendly design and poor condition of the street surface don’t make those blocks as appealing for cruising/shopping/dining.”

Stop by Urbane to pick up the Youth & Employment Issue, our latest of dandyhorse!

We biked up to where Dupont Street, Dundas Street West and Annette Street meet and asked cyclists what it’s like to bike on Dupont Street. There have been rumblings that City Hall is considering phasing out the Dupont bike lane, so we wanted to hit the streets and find out what the bike lane means to cyclists.

Kristin W.: It would not be good  if they removed the bike lane. I definitely appreciate the fact that there are bike lanes on Dupont. It’s such a busy street. There’s a lot of industrial traffic so it’s really important that they keep the Dupont bike lane. It’s the only way to safe it’s safe to bike on Dupont.

Theo T.: I bike along Dupont three or four times a week. It’s a pretty busy road. It’s very bumpy and torn up.

Duncan W.:  I’m pretty disgusted, honestly. I think the more bike lanes the better. It encourages people to bike. It’s a sensible, forward thinking policy that the rest of the world has already caught on to. But our administration is somewhat different.

Rebecca B.: I use the Dupont bike lanes every day. I never feel safe under the bridge (on Dupont Street, just west of Olster Street).  I think they should improve the bike lane and it make safer rather than phasing it out. 

dandyARCHIVE: Is there strength in numbers?

Photos by  Frank Theriault    

Ted Ingram: For commuting it’s good to have numbers on the street. But we have to be careful when riding together as a group, of the mob mentality.

Susan Reid: More visibility means greater safety – I like to see bikes all year round. That way cars are more aware and don’t forget to share the road.

Vanessa Marion-Merrit: Yes – it’s essential! The more bikes on the road, the more people have to recognize cyclists’ safety.

Baolinh Dang: Yes, especially in winter when there’s not as many cyclists on the street. With more and more cyclists, maybe we’ll have more right of way.

Bike Spotting: Did you know that the Jarvis Street Bike Lane is going to be removed?

Oops we did it again! We rolled on down to Jarvis to ask cyclists: ”Did you know the mayor is planning to remove this bike lane?” It’s stupid and costly to remove bike lanes. In dandyhorse’s upcoming youth-and-employment issue we’ve got quotes from municipal leaders all over the world saying, “We want more bike lanes!” Meanwhile, our mayor is wasting money and creating dangerous streets.

Cycle Toronto is hosting a ride to Save Jarvis on Wednesday June 13 at 6 p.m.. Check it out on Facebook …

Clemence Lhoyer and Aurelier Lemaire

We like to bike here, especially on the Toronto Islands. (Clemence is from Montreal and Aurelier from Belgium.) We are doing an architectural tour of Toronto, mapped carefully, using BIXI. It is very nice. There are not very many bike lanes on our routes though. This one is in a good place, as it leads to others, like this one up there [College] and also that way [Gerrard]. You also have the Gardens here and the ballet school up there, and this BIXI station, so it makes sense to have it here.

Nathan Gyeteai

Well, they put it in one day and remove it the next it seems. We have a right to be on the roads, anyway. I mean a bike lane is nice, but if it’s not there we will still ride. What I do find scary though is how agressive some drivers are towards cyclists. Most people are nice and give you space, but some will speed right at you. It’s unsettling. It doesn’t make sense to remove a bike lane though, because people will still keep biking here. In any urban setting, anywhere, people are going to bike whether you [or the mayor] like it or not.

Lucas Meilech-Boston

It’s fun going down Jarvis, but it would be more fun if you had shocks on your bike because it’s pretty bumpy. But it’s a nice shot downtown. It’s pretty crappy that they are taking out the bike lane. I guess they are supposedly putting in a separated lane on Sherbourne, but removing this is costing the city a ridiculous amount of money and I don’t see any reason to ever remove a bike lane. P.S. I just got this new wheel at Urbane!

Liz Brockest

I think that’s bullshit. I think it sucks to remove a bike lane. It’s making the city more dangerous and more inaccessible. I bike to work every day. It’s good for the environment, it’s good for my health, and removing bike lanes just creates unsafe conditions because we are all going to bike anyway.

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Related on the dandyBLOG: Q&A with Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam about Jarvis and Sherbourne. Bike Spotting on Jarvis (take one).