Apocalypse Survival on a Bike

The end of the world is fast-approaching according to some, but anyone on a bike will easily escape
 
llustration by Margaret Beach

There's been a lot of talk surrounding the alleged end to the Mayan calendar, and consequently the fast-approaching fate of the planet. Lately, people have been worried about whether or not a catastrophic event will occur, if the world will end, and if cities will crumble.

If that does happen, cyclists won't have a lot to worry about. If you pack carefully and mount your trusted steed at the first sign of danger, you'll make it out of harms way. You'll be able to live comfortably in the wild with essential survival gear strapped to your bike.

There is a resurgence of Gothic horror and a lot of stories, TV shows, and films featuring end-of-the-world or religious apocalypse scenarios. And just like preparations for possible zombie attacks, we should be preparing for ways to escape any potential urban downfalls.

There are many reasons why you'll be able to escape on your two-wheeled love. The simplicity and human-powered capability of a bicycle will take you way farther than any other vehicle. And while a bike is light and non-complex, it also has the potential to carry a huge amount of stuff.

"Bad Air" by my mum. That's what I'll look like when the city starts to crumble.

First and foremost, a bike will never run out of gas (unless, of course, you do). If it does end up breaking or needs a tune-up, its mechanics are simple enough to learn and relatively easy to fix. Everything is there for you to see, and with a bit of fiddling and practice, any novice and learn to tune their bike like a pro. Regular check-ups can help your escape vehicle last for a long while.

Since you will be on the road for a while, you'll want to make sure you can carry all of the essentials: tents, canned goods, dogs, clothing, camp gear, and tools If you have a trailer, hitch 'er up. Trailers are great for heavy or awkward-shaped items like a camp-stove, water jugs or children. Another great thing to have are a set of panniers and a detachable front basket. On top of all that, a large camping-style over night backpack can also be carried.

If you come to a line-up of abandoned cars or reach a large crater in the road, you can simply take off and carry each pack over or around the blockage before manoeuvring your bike around said obstruction.

It may seem a silly to plan for such destruction and obstructions, but you'll be the smart one as you pedal to safety. Think of your planning and ability to safely bike away from an apocalyptic event as added insurance, like a bomb shelter from the cold war era.

Read my recent article about why apocalypse and Gothic 2012 stories are so prevalent at this time, and how society's fears translate into pop culture (featuring gothic professor Sarah Henstra and horror writer Gemma Files).

The Cyclepath Danforth

I originally wrote this post as sample for BlogTO. They didn't like it. But I do. So I'm posting it here, since I didn't do the work for nothing.
When I walked into The Cyclepath on Danforth, I was slightly in awe.

The store is lined from wall-to-wall and from floor-to-ceiling. They stock about 10 different styles of bikes, plus a whole lot of sub-genres that I won't even go into.

They have unicycles, 29-inch wheelers, kids' bikes, stylish and trendy cruisers, fixies, and flashy racing bikes. They also stock fold-up bikes for those who live in tiny apartments, adult trikes for the elderly and disabled, and trailers for pulling kids, supplies, or groceries. They're selection of women's bikes is much bigger than any other cycling store I've seen, and they also have an extensive BMX collection.

The bikes are priced anywhere from $200 for a basic bike on sale, to $3,000 for a nice speed rider.

In the spring, The Cyclepath stocks about 800 bikes, but in the summer months they can stock as many as 950 bikes. They receive weekly shipments, and if you can't find what you're looking for, they will order it for you.

But it's quite rare that they won't have what you need in stock.

They carry hundreds of accessories and parts, priced from $5 to $250, some displayed in an open walk-in safe left over from when the building was a bank.

I got some great ideas on how to pimp up my old clunker. They even have clothing to pimp up yourself.

The Cyclepath also has full time mechanics to help turn your creaky old bike into a smooth glider. They staff four mechanics in the summer and two in the winter. They do break and gear tune-ups for $30, or full tune-up of breaks, gears, lubing gears and chain, plus tightening up head set and bottom bracket for $60. They even offer a whole bike overhaul for $120, which basically makes your bike new again.

The mechanics try to get everything done as quickly as they can, especially for those who need their bikes to get to work or school.

They're currently working on a bike bath station, but an opening date and prices haven't been decided on.

But the main thing that sets The Cyclepath apart from other bike stores is its total accessibility. This goes hand-in-hand with wide variety of stock and its many services. Staff members are open and friendly, and with 20 staff members during peak season, you're almost sure to get all your questions answered. Any type of cyclist can walk into The Cyclepath and feel welcome.

*Photo Credit: All photos taken from thecyclepath.com.

Go-To Fashion Blogs (Reposted from WordPress school blog for JRN504)

I don't follow many style blogs religiously, if at all. If something interesting pops up on TweetDeck or in my Google Reader I might take a look, but there are really just a few that I go back to. The following are blogs that I enjoy reading, but they're in no particular order.

Toronto Bike Chic focuses on trendy bicyclists in Toronto. The postings involve mostly photos and a bit of description. The photos are nice and crisp, and they're of regular Torontonian bikers who have that little bit of extra style. I enjoy this blog immensely because I'm a cyclist. I bike to school, to work, and around the city on the weekends in the good weather. I feel that my bike is an extension of my attitude, my style, and my personality. In downtown Toronto, a bike is part of the culture. A bike can be a fashion statement, and in Toronto it usually is.

Coffee Cycle Chic is by the same person, but focuses on coffee shops and cycle shops in Toronto. Sadly, neither have been updated in a while. This round-up makes me miss them.

Though, Hipster Musings is updated frequently, and it is one that I check often. A small-town girl, who goes to Waterloo University, writes this one. Her style isn't actually necessarily what I would wear myself, but I the outfits she puts together are cool nonetheless, and that's exactly why I read it. I wouldn't wear it, so I read her blog and sort of live vicariously through her. Also, I find that her posts are kind of a blast from the past. The music and movies she writes about, as well as her sense of fashion, are very 90s. Not to mention the writer looks like Winona Ryder so I constantly think back to Girl Interrupted (1999) and all the dark, 90s fashion in it.

Lastly, Cheap and Chic is a blog that similar to a million other blogs, but I read it anyway. Nothing about it is spectacular, but I do read this so I thought I should include it. Even the name makes it hard to distinguish. It has pretty photos, some DIY ideas, and some nice fashions. Though I can't really tell what the cheap part is. Of course, the DIY stuff is cheap, but I the clothes are all a bit pricier than I would personally buy.

Here are the rest of the online fashion and design media that I read (again in no particular order): LENS, The Sartorialist, Worn Fashion Journal, Textstyles, College Fashion, and Eye Weekly Style

Hazel McCallion, Perfect Vintage

Joseph's Estate Wines will launching it's new line of wine later this month.
It will be named after Hazel McCallion, Mississauga's mayor.

And, with the launch of bottled Hazel McCallion, I have the perfect opportunity to explain why I love her.

McCallion will be 89 in a couple weeks. She has been Mississauga's mayor for 31 years, and she's done a damn good job.
She spends time with people, actually participates in local events, is always open to new suggestions and will talk with just about anyone.

She is the epitome of what a mayor should be.

She walks and shops regularly in her own neighbourhood, contributing to the local economy and making herself available for chats with local residents.

Not only that, but McCallion bikes everywhere! That is what I love most.

When you think of Mississauga, usually what you immediately think of is suburban houses and lots of cars. But they've had a Cycling Advisory Committee since 1994, and Hazel McCallion is a frequent cyclist.
So far as I know, for the past two, if not more, World Carfree Days, McCallion rode her bike seven kilometers to City Hall.

Imagine, an 89 year old that can ride her bike to work, while there are 20-somethings who drive their SUVs to the corner store.

When I'm 89, I want to ride my bike to work.

Rocco Rossi

An article published today in The Star says Rocco Rossi (mayoral candidate) won't put new bike lanes on certain streets. He even wants to look at removing existing bike lanes.
He says he would move lanes to quieter streets parallel to major roads.
Yeah, that will be GREAT for getting over the Don Valley. Bikers can just follow the quieter road that runs parallel to the Bloor viaduct.

Oh wait, there isn't one.

Rossi also wants to put the planned Transit City lines on hold until later."His promise to kill bike lanes on Jarvis will win him support in neighbourhoods such as Rosedale, Moore Park and Leaside," says the Star.
Well that's true. People who live in those neighbourhoods get up every morning and drive their large, gas guzzling vehicles to their downtown offices. Why should they worry about those who can not or choose not to own a vehicle? Why do they have to worry their pretty little heads about the majority of the population who have to take public transit or power their own way to work?

The article says that Rossi's ideas about removing bike lanes shows a lack of understanding of Torontonian values and what is going on at city hall.

It's hard to believe this egg-head is from the Liberal Party.

Let's hope Toronto is smart enough not to elect Rocco Rossi.