Bikes 🚲

A comprehensive list of my gear.

Pictured: “Hurley” somewhere during a 10-day bikepacking adventure in Ontario, Canada

“Hurley”

A 2024 Surly Disc Trucker. My steed of choice for long-distance bikepacking adventures, overnight trips and super comfortable rides around the city. I had my eye on this bike and the Surly brand for years, as the epitome of adventure cycling. Even with 30lbs+ of gear, it rides so smooth… that’s a quality steel frame for ya! I often consider this one of the best purchases I’ve ever made, for many different reasons. Most notably, it was a lot cheaper than therapy.

Pictured: Quick photo op on an overnighter to Birds Hill Provincial Park

Daily Driver

A 2022 Garneau Garibaldi G4. The whip that gets me to/from work and around the city on a dime. Lightweight and fast. It’s had it’s back frame bent by thieves when they stuck a tire iron through the rim and bent the back… but it still rides as good as new, take that! When I bought it, I had no idea it was too small for me… It’s likely taken a few years of cartilage off my knees, but it works and I’m gonna keep riding it.

Pictured: Winter beater equipped with a salvaged wireframe basket. Ingenuity goes a long way!

Winter Beater

A 90s Turquoise Miele. Similar to the Trek Marlin 5 (below) this bike opened my eyes to what I can do if I put my mind to something. I was tired of paying money to park downtown, so I did the logical thing, suffer for 1hr+ every day to ride in the winter. Got winter studded tires, greased the chain and set off. It was a completely new experience from riding in the summer, while not impossible, it took a level of mental toughness to achieve. I learned patience and how to dress for the winter. The mantra I would repeat to myself whenever I was cycling at 11:30pm was “it’s not that bad”

Pictured: My first long-distance ride of 90km down the entire Red River Floodway, and back. Before this, I was doing 10-20km jaunts.

The Orange Demon

A 2019 Trek Marlin 5, my first love. A pandemic purchase, not even sure what inspired me to get it… but it lit a spark in me I didn’t realize was there. It became a means of transport, saving money and exercise. Sounds silly, but it changed my life. My mind was opened to new experiences and in the middle of the pandemic, it was an escape from the confines of my house, giving me access to my neighborhood and city. It challenged me in new ways, both physically and mentally and made me realize I was capable of achieving my goals when I put my mind to them. It gave me self-confidence and a sense of identity.

Honorable Mentions 🏆

Pictured: Somewhere along a bike path in Halifax, NS

Rental Bike in Halifax, NS

In 2023 I had the chance to spend a couple days in Halifax, so I picked up this beauty and rode it over 200km around the city and surrounding area. Took it to the beach, dipped it in the Atlantic Ocean (christening) and ate lobster rolls. Visiting Halifax had always been a dream of mine, so glad I got to ride a bike around there…

Shoutout to I Heart Bikes HFX

Pictured: Mile 0 of the Transcanada Highway in Victoria, BC

Rental Bike in Victoria, BC

In 2024 I visited Vancouver Island, with a few hours to spare in the evening, I walked over and rented this puppy and rode it along the waterfront paths. Just so happened to stumble upon Mile 0 of the Transcanada Highway. While I didn’t visit it with my car, I dreamed one day of cycling across Canada on two wheels… (also christened this bike, meaning I’ve touched both oceans with a bike, just not my own yet)

Shoutout to Cycle BC