The Cyclist's Camera

Today I want to talk about a piece of cycling gear that is all too often found sitting on a shelf in the closet at home instead by your side where it belongs. Whether you favor the off-road rush, relaxation of touring or the high speeds of smooth pavement a good quality digital camera should be an essential part of your cycling gear, so you can relive those precious moments for years to come.

With today’s technology you don’t need to break the bank to produce fantastic pictures. Even at the lower end of the price scale you can buy a great digital camera that will produce 5 to 8 mega pixels of resolution with all the features you’ll ever need. Unless you intend to make a poster sized print, resolution over 5 mega pixels is not really noticeable, so don’t get too hung up on resolution.

Instead consider things like compactness, ease of use, shock resistance and weather resistance. And of course how much zoom capability you want.

Often a matter of personal preference and feel, you’ll want something that is easy for you to use in the field. You don’t want to be scrolling through menus as you watch the race leader zoom off into the distance, or constantly push the zoom button because it’s located where they shutter button should be.

When selecting the amount of zoom capability you want stick with the optical zoom numbers. Many cameras offer a combination of optical and digital zoom, but be careful when using digital zoom because as the zoom increases the resolution decreases and your perfect shot could wind up being nothing more than a grainy blur. Look for a camera that won’t automatically switch to digital zoom when you reach the maximum range of your optical zoom. And if you tend to take a lot of action shots, high quality image stabilization is essential.

Whenever you get new camera use it, and use it a lot. Get familiar with all of the features so selecting the correct setting becomes as natural as depressing the shutter button. One of the real benefits that digital photography has brought to outdoors enthusiasts is that you can produce literally thousands of photos and it doesn’t cost you a cent. Unlike the days of film anyone can afford to take several shots of the same image, using a range of features and settings, and decide later which one is a keeper.

Capturing memories of your cycling adventures is something that should be just as important as the activity itself. Whether it’s a picture of dad deciding to dust off the old mountain bike, your companion sitting in a pile of mud after a slight miscalculation, or the race leader crossing the finish line with arms raised in victory, having your camera at the ready will keep those memories alive for a lifetime.

©2009 Lloyd Fridenburg – All rights reserved click here for copyright permissions

Toronto Sportsmen's Show Moving to New Digs

It hit me like a hammer; the Toronto Sportsmen’s Show is moving! That’s right folks after 63 years at the CNE (Canadian National Exhibition) grounds Southern Ontario’s largest outdoors show, the Toronto Sportsmen’s Show, is moving to the Toronto Convention Centre.

I’m going to give this a while to sink in before wading in with my personal opinions of the move but I’m sure there will not be many fence sitters when it comes to the new venue. For those in the GTA (Greater Toronto Area) the Convention Centre is very accessible and convenient for those that use public transit. For those of us coming from out of town it’s nothing more than a logistical nightmare. Oh well, decisions are made and this was likely not a knee-jerk reaction.

For now let’s take a trip down memory lane.

The Toronto Sportsmen’s Show has been a part of my life for just about as long as I can remember, so that means that I’m only a few years shy of having been there from the beginning. My grandparents lived in the east end of Toronto when I was growing up so events like the Sportsmen’s Show provided a great, low cost way for my parents to keep us kids amused for a few hours when we made the trip from Wingham to the big city.

Up until a few years ago the Toronto Sportsman’s Show occupied the Coliseum building at the CNE. Although the larger venue provided by the Direct Energy Building was greatly needed, it did in my opinion, loose all of its character and became just another show when the move took place.

Some of my fondest memories are of jostling crowds, the smell of hay in the arena, creaking floorboards, and a multitude of stairways and hidden corridors. And then there was the ever present smell of pipe smoke. Those were the days when Brigham pipes used to sell their factory seconds for a very cheap price and were set up right across the aisle from a tobacco vendor. No, I’m not a smoker and certainly don’t advocate smoking, but that was a different era and like everyone else I became a pipe smoker for a day. To this day the smell of pipe smoke conjures up images of camping supplies, fishing tackle, and creaking floors.

I remember buying my first upscale fishing rod there; it was a Berkley Bionix and when you bought one you got a Berkley Lightning Rod for free. I never did care for the Bionix, but the Lightning Rod has accompanied me on every fishing trip since the mid 70’s and has landed – and lost – tons of fish.

Over the years we have bought tents, backpacks, fishing tackle, and every new gadget on the market. You know, now that I think of it the move to the Convention Centre may not be that much of a stretch. The move from the Coliseum for me was like loosing an old, albeit smoky, friend.

The great outdoors is still very much alive in Southern Ontario and the Toronto Sportsmen’s Show, regardless of the venue, will always be a memorable part of it.

©2009 Lloyd Fridenburg – All rights reserved click here for copyright permissions

Buying & Selling Used Bikes and Parts

Winter still has a firm grip on Southern Ontario but rest assured that we are winding down to the last few weeks. If you’re like me you’re spending more than enough time in the garage looking longingly at your summer recreational equipment that has been in hibernation for much too long. That of course includes your cycling equipment.

What better time to take a look at your gear and do a bit of preseason maintenance. Remember that slow leak you decided to fix in the spring, or the low gear that slips out of the sprocket on steep climbs; now is the time to get your cycling fix by carefully going over your bike part by part so it’s ready to go as soon as the snow leaves.

Perhaps you’ve found some damaged parts or you have a twisted frame from that last fateful fall ride. Whether your buying or selling there is a ready market for used bike parts and you can often generate a lot more cash by selling parts than by selling, or trading in your old bike.

I stumbled across a great article that discusses this topic in detail and thought the best way to get you the information you need is to share this link with you http://tinyurl.com/d3o7uf

The article talks about the pros and cons of buying and selling parts online. You’ll learn what to watch for and where to look.

Take heart; it won’t be long now and you want to be sure your bike is prepped and ready to go when the weather breaks in Southern Ontario.

Lloyd

Should Winter Cycling Be Banned in Southern Ontario?

The headline in the Ottawa Citizen reads ““City Considers Ban on Winter Cycling”! A small Quebec town wants to enforce a ban after a man was killed while cycling this winter. Every year the debate rages throughout many regions of Canada, especially large cities where high traffic density is the norm. Let’s take a look at this from a practical perspective.

I know, it’s environmentally friendly, healthy, and inexpensive transportation; but should it be allowed? Is it worth your life? Most cyclists are cognizant of winter hazards and I have to believe that those venturing out on winter streets tend to be the more experienced of the lot. But there are a few things to consider:

• Winter streets can narrow by as much as 10 feet in total by mid-winter.
• Four lane streets can quickly become one lane streets.
• Cars immerging from side streets cannot see because of high snow banks.
• Black ice is often hidden under the snow.
• Traffic becomes even more congested as over cautious drivers refuse to pass a cyclist.
• Cyclists cannot possibly be aware of everything going on around them and navigate slippery, slushy roads at the same time.

There is a time to stand on principle and a time to revert to common sense. If you wind up in a collision with a car or truck you will loose. At that point things like right of way, environmentally friendly, and a good workout don’t really seem to matter much any more.

I’m not sure if banning is the right approach, mostly because I think we’re regulated to death in this province anyway, but I would ask that you give serious thought to whether or not it’s worth the risk.

Myself, I can’t wait till those first warm spring days so I can dust off the bike and head to the trails. But until then I’ll be sticking to 4-wheeled transportation.

Get our and enjoy our great Southern Ontario Outdoors this winter, but maybe limit your cycling to browsing photos from last summer.

©2009 Lloyd Fridenburg – All rights reserved click here for copyright permissions

Seasons Greetings from Southern Ontario Outdoors

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all my cycling friends. Thanks to all who are following this blog; your comments and suggestions will help me provide you with even better items throughout 2009.

The early winter this year in Southern Ontario certainly cut into a lot of fall cycling plans. With the exception of a determined (or crazy) few, cyclists have all but disappeared on local roads and trails. As I sit pondering this post the snow continues to fall, promising to be the second major dump in as many days.

So, for the most part bikes are cleaned and stored for the winter. If you’re a do-it-yourselfer, the holiday break is a great time to look for deals on modifications and parts. It might be a bit cold but heading to the garage or basement to spend a few hours fiddling with the bike might just help with the symptoms of winter withdrawal.

Now is a great time to get together with friends to plan those routes, trails, and races you need to work into your schedule for next spring and summer. Within the next month I will have added a large interactive database to http://www.sooutdoors.ca that will make it very easy for you to zoom in on specific destination, route and trail related information.

“Peace on earth: good will toward men.”

Lloyd

Cold Weather Cycling

The number of recreational cyclists on the roads and trails has certainly been declining over the past few weeks, especially now that I look out and see several centimeters of snow blanketing the ground. And I know that the hearty breed that are still pumping the pedals are in for some spectacular fall adventures.

Fewer people means that mountain bikers can be a bit more adventurous on the trails and road cyclists have a bit more elbow room for cross country adventures.

Cycling in cold or at least much cooler weather does have its challenges and not unlike a cross country skier you are wise to carry some additional layers this time of year. Cycling can be physically demanding and even during cold weather the body still generates plenty perspiration during physical exertion in order to keep cool. Although cooler temperatures are great while you’re active and exerting lots of energy, it can be quite unpleasant and even dangerous when you stop.

You will appreciate that extra layer of clothing when its time for a rest break. It will prevent your body from cooling too rapidly and will ensure that you don’t get chilled before heading off again. Once the body cools to the point of feeling chilled it takes a long time, even with strenuous activity to warm up again.

Remember that during those long rides or hours on the trails it is just as important to keep hydrated now as it was in the hot summer months. Your body still looses lots of moisture but it may not be as evident in cooler weather.

Stay safe, keep warm and hydrated, and enjoy some great cool weather cycling in Southern Ontario.

SD

Destination Tobermory

With crystal clear waters, scenic vistas, and hundreds of miles of secondary roadways to explore the Bruce Peninsula cyclists will soon fall in love with this finger of land pointing northwards. Bring your bike or make the Bruce part of a fall cycling tour. There are plenty of places to camp, eat, or even rent a cottage for a few days.

The roadways in this area are irregular to say the least so be sure you have good quality maps of the area or even a GPS to help find your way around. If you're cycling along #6 highway, which is the main artery between Wiarton and Tobermory, proceed with caution. This is a well maintained highway but being the only major roadway in the area it carries a considerable volume of traffic. There are no paved shoulders.

Fall is a great time to explore the backroads of the Bruce by bike. Plan a trip this fall; you won't be disappointed.

Lloyd