Keep your ears toasty this fall & winter with Cheery Ears - made of cozy fleece and secured over your helmet straps with velcro. And Li'l Cheery Ears, for weeny kids! Available in over a dozen different colours & patterns, and priced at $18 ($17 for L'il Ears). They also cut down on the noise created by wind.

Locally made with repurposed packaging - how great is that! Available at selected bike shops: Fairfield Bicycle Shop, Oak Bay Bikes, North Park Bike Shop, Bishop's Family Cycles, Coastal Cycles and Goldstream Ave Bicycles.

Here is a wonderful story in the current issue of the Inspired 55+ Lifestyle Magazine by a former Joyriding student - Linda Mills - now happily riding an e-bike at 75.

A couple of excerpts:

"Having cars pass me was scary … until it wasn’t.  Turning and starting always meant wobbling all over the road … until it didn’t.  Finally I could add the turn signals, finally I could scratch an itch without stopping, finally I could coordinate the gears and assist levels to go all the way up to the top of Beacon Hill itself.  THAT was an accomplishment!  I liked the feeling of that A LOT!"

"Then riding on real streets with traffic, not the easy back streets of south Fairfield, but Vancouver St almost all the way to Fort.  And back.  Getting braver.  Riding with my bike coach Susanna down Humboldt to the bike lanes on Wharf St, over the Blue Bridge and along Harbour Road to where the Goose, the Galloping Goose Trail, the real thing, turned off!  And on the way back, coming up Pandora to Vancouver, over to Fort, down the bike lane to Wharf, over to Humboldt and back to Vancouver and home again.  Really riding in the real downtown!  Traffic lights and traffic!  8 km!  My world expanded again."

It was a joy to work with her. Go Linda go!!

I’m kind of excited about my first Joyriding product: Cheery Ears!

These are cozy ear-warmers worn over your helmet straps, secured with velcro inside.

Some local cyclists might remember "Earwigs", which are very similar but haven't been produced for years now. You can't find anything like these locally (except for the Fairfield Bicycle Shop, now) or even on Amazon.

Mine have a few improvements over the Earwig design: the velcro is positioned lower down so that they don't slide down the straps. The top is curved, to ensure the ears are fully covered. They come in variety of colours and patterns, are reversible and there is a kid’s size.

The packaging is repurposed from bike helmet boxes, and if turned it at time of purchase gives you 25¢ off the price. Only $14.99! (or $14.74 without packaging).

If you are new to cycling, or getting back to it after a long break, chances are that you will be looking for either a comfort bike or a hybrid.

There are a few key differences between comfort and hybrid bicycles, highlighted below. Comfort bikes are for flattish terrain and shortish rides, emphasizing comfort over speed. Hybrid bikes can be ridden on most kinds of terrain, for short and long rides, and are also comfortable.

Of course, there are variations of bikes in between the above two examples, with respect to tire width and diameter, # gears, frame geometry, style of seat and overall weight.

Bicycles can also be modified: handlebars, seats and tires can be changed. You can have more gears put on. If you have problems with one hand, brakes and gear shifters can both be repositioned to one side. There are many possibilities to accommodate tricky joints and aging bodies.

Bikes come in different sizes, and getting the right size is important. Even though various components can be modified as described above, frame size is the one thing that can't be changed. Usually, your height determines the size of bike for you, but it can also depend on your leg length. This is one area where skilled bike shop salespeople make a difference: they can determine the best size and type of bike for you, as well as recommend suitable modifications.

Speed is not necessarily that important for everyday cyclists, but effort definitely is. So, when a bike can go faster, as hybrid bikes can (vs comfort bikes), what it really means is that less effort is required for a given speed. And, the higher number of gear options available on hybrid bikes means that going up hills is a lot easier. (OK, I admit that I am biased toward hybrid bikes).

Mountain bike and road bikes: In case you are wondering about these two other common types of bikes, I am not focusing on them because the former are designed for off-road riding over rough terrain, and the latter are built for speed on smooth roads.

You may also be interested in electric assist, if you want a bit of help with hills and longer distances. There are two possibilities: having an electric motor kit installed on your favourite bike, or buying a bicycle that is designed and built for electric assist (aka “e-bike”).

If you have serious concerns about falling, or you just like the idea of being cool in a laid-back position, adult trikes are an excellent option. They can also have electric assist.

One last plug for your local bike shop: Department store bikes may be cheaper initially, but you lose over the long term. You will see higher maintenance costs over time, malfunctions during rides, and a less comfortable ride experience overall. Plus, you aren’t supporting local small businesses, who care about your needs and service what they sell!

For some wise general bike-buying advice, check out Part 1 of What Kind of Bike Should I Get?

Blogposts coming up:

* All about e-bikes
* Why does it hurt? - aka Modifications that can be made to a bike
* Amazing things that other countries are doing to promote cycling
* Bike touring 101
* Nice places to cycle in Victoria
* How to start your own riding group
* How to ride in traffic 101

       (not necessarily in this order!)

If you don’t have a bike and are wondering what to get, it can be a Catch-22: How do you know what you should buy if you can’t really find out until you buy it and ride it for a while?

You might just want to ride around the neighbourhood, or on trails. Or, you might want to eventually ride to work, and have a bike that can serve both purposes. You might like to sit upright, or you have trouble lifting your leg, or have a balance issue. There are bikes for all purposes and needs: comfort bikes, city bikes, mountain bikes, hybrid bikes, road bikes, touring bikes, adult trikes, e-bikes. (Did I mention unicycles? haha).

From someone who has encountered and taught hundreds, if not thousands of new cyclists, I have some general wisdom to share:

Don’t rush into it.

It’s better to get the right bike from the start, rather than find out two weeks later that it is actually too heavy or too slow or too hard to get on & off or doesn’t have enough gears, etc. Although you may be able to return an almost-new bike for a restocking fee (~20%), you might have to take a bigger loss by selling it used. (Still – it is better to sell it and start over than give up the idea of cycling!)

Never let a salesperson pressure you into a bike purchase. Although bike shops don’t work on commission (as car dealerships do), for some, there is still pride in getting bikes out the door. Private sellers might be just as pushy, and there is a real possibility that the bike may be stolen.

Gather information

 * Get advice from friends or co-workers who ride, particularly those who you can identify with.

 * Visit some bike shops and see what is out there. Ask questions (but don’t commit).

 * Read about bikes on the internet (if you're into that).

Test ride some bikes

Test riding bicycles at bike shops is an excellent way to try out a bike that fits you and that is in good running condition, and to try out different kinds of bikes. A reputable bike shop has salespeople that will want you to find the right bike for you. They won’t pressure you to buy a bike. Don’t feel obliged to buy a bike just because you have taken a test ride or two (or three!).

If you can, visit bike shops on weekdays and avoid the end of the workday. This way, salespeople will have more time to spend with you.

Take the long view

Right now, it can be hard to know what kind of cycling you may eventually like to do. You may find that you enjoy it more than you originally thought you would, and want to do more, or for longer distances. Your fitness and confidence will improve, making other kinds of trips possible: for example: to work, or longer recreational rides, or fundraising challenge rides, or cycling tours in foreign countries (guided or not), or trips ferrying your children or grandchildren to school or daycare. There are many possibilities!

If this happens, you have a couple of options: sell your current bike or get a second bike for a different purpose. Bicycles are one of the best investments you will ever make – for your health, peace of mind and the environment. It’s OK to have more than one!

Read Part 2 for more specifics about buying a bike

Something mysterious and magical is happening in Victoria.

I suspect that the explosion of cherry blossoms has a lot to do with it. It's an awakening of the senses, urging us to wriggle out of our winter cocoons and explore the world around us. Smell the blossoms and think about all the possibilities now open to us. Like - riding a bike!

Over the last few days I have received a flurry of inquiries from people wanting a Joyriding lesson:
(Names have been changed to protect the budding cyclists)

Denise is "a seventy year old woman, young at heart" and keen to ride a bike. She actually did cycle about 40 years ago, but wants to relearn so that she can feel comfortable on guided bike tours. She also wants to know what what kind of bicycle to look for. Practical advice on bikes, gear and accessories is part of what Joyriding can provide.

As a teenager, Emma was in a car crash, which shook her up. She never did get her driver's license. Now, as a mother with 2 small children, she wants to take them safely to daycare on her new electric cargo bike. Joyriding can map out the best route for her to take and ride it with her, stopping to review important traffic scenarios along the way.

Bahar wants to learn how to ride a bike. In her culture, this is something that girls were not taught. Since moving to Victoria, she sees many people cycling every day and wants to join in. Joyriding provides beginner cyclists with a free bike and helmet rental, as part of the lesson.

Stewart, a retiree living in Sidney, wants to learn how to ride safely in traffic, and not be confined only to cycling paths and trails. The week before, he had a hair-raising experience at a 4-way stop which spooked him.

Recently, a friend gave Lori a bike. She is very anxious about riding in traffic, and doesn't have a driver's license. With her partner Tom along for moral support, she will take a two-for-one lesson.

Seven-year-old Oliver was having trouble learning to ride. His parents weren't sure why, and had done their best to help him. Sometimes what makes the difference is being taught by an outsider, and in this case, one that is experienced in teaching cycling to reluctant or fearful children (& adults!).

If you know someone who would like to ride a bike, but is worried: about traffic, or their ability, or their bike...or all of the above, let them know that there is a way to learn and practice that is non-threatening (and even fun!).

For those who would like to learn in a group setting, Bike to Work Victoria runs half and full-day courses.

After giving up on the idea that my partner would do a cycling trip with me, I've decided to do one alone. It would not be my first solo trip, having toured in Australia back in 2007/2008. That was an epic adventure! Difficult at times, but I never felt unsafe or lonely.

But where would I go this time? And how should I do it? I'm not one for packaged group tours, and yet there is something appealing about not having to make 100 decisions every day. I'm also cognizant of my age (58) and wonder if I can still power up hills in the sun with a loaded bike. Hmmm.

The other day I was having coffee with by buddy Felicity, discussing her plans for a return walking trip to the Camino de Santiago in Spain...and it suddenly dawned on me: I could cycle the Camino!

There are a variety of routes one can take; some even start in France and Portugal, ultimately ending in Santiago de Compostela. Along the way are many affordable & friendly places to stay. This is very appealing, as it would significantly reduce the weight on my bike (camping gear not being needed).

I am thinking September - weather still nice but not hot and not as many pilgrims (travellers of the Camino), and going for a month. Other than that, I need to do some research, on routes, what sights there are to see, what local weather is like, how to get to the starting point, use trains, etc. And, brush up on my Spanish, por supuesto!

I'm pretty excited!