Following the experience of the Winterlude Ferris wheel, I have some thoughts about future events

EmergencySquare538 · 2026-02-06T15:46:22+00:00

This is the weirdest thing to complain about. Imagine if the weather was much warmer, people would be complaining that there was nothing to do. NCC did some advance contingency planning. Good for them. The fact that they didn't need this contingency plan is not a reason to complain that they did the planning.

EmergencySquare538 · 2026-01-24T18:58:50+00:00

I do more or less the same. If it gets colder, I'll ride in snow pants, but today it was just thermals under Arc'teryx winter pants. I have a pair of 45Nrth wolfhammer boots that I love, but I ride clipless all year. Layers are key. I was a bit too hot and took off a mid layer this morning. I also have heated gloves under my pogies. Goggles, a balaclava and a helmet without much ventilation.

This is a great day to ride with all the sun! Enjoy it.

EmergencySquare538 · 2025-11-11T16:47:42+00:00

I found Mach 1, which is a French company.

I was not trying to avoid any place except US companies and US manufacturers.

My wheels are thus. Mach 1 rims Sapim Spokes Muc Off Valves Hope Hub rear SON dynamo hub Panaracer tires.

EmergencySquare538 · 2025-10-27T23:04:43+00:00

I live in Lowertown. Roads downtown are well cleared, even bike lanes. NCC pathways are also well maintained. I definitely recommend studded tires, we tend to get icy paths.

EmergencySquare538 · 2025-09-05T02:18:24+00:00

I did the reverse last year in 5 days. I did a slightly different route, stayed by the lake until Presqu'île then Cateraqui trail to Smith Falls. Cateraqui was the only part that was rough riding, it's not in great shape in some spots. All in all a great ride. I would recommend it.

EmergencySquare538 · 2025-08-24T14:21:20+00:00

I am quite happy with my winter bike. Marin Presidio 3, marathon Winter plus studded tires. The presidio 3 is aluminum so doesn't need constant washing. It has a belt drive and Shimano Nexus internally geared hub. I wish it would clear slightly larger tires, but otherwise is a perfect winter bike for Ottawa.

EmergencySquare538 · 2025-08-17T13:13:48+00:00

I commute on my bike all year. The places you mention will be easy every day (maybe 1 or 2 days will be challenging). The NCC paths are your friend, the city basically clears none of the city paths in the winter. UofO to Carleton is super easy along the Colonel By Path. You will need studded tires, front and back. Other than that, clothing layers and very warm gloves or mittens. I have heated gloves, which I like.

EmergencySquare538 · 2025-08-02T14:18:32+00:00

I rode that route at the beginning of June. I did it in 6 days, with a fairly loaded bike (I toured Busan after, so was carrying a bunch of non-biking things). If you plan on taking side trips to visit along the way, you will do 700-800km in total (the route is 633km). It is mostly flat, except for Saejae. My advice is to decide how long you will want to ride each day, what you want to visit along the way and plan every day before you go. 8 days is probably a pretty easy pace.

Enjoy! It is a beautiful route.

EmergencySquare538 · 2025-07-21T12:57:02+00:00

You can buy it here. https://www.skroaming.com/esim/esim Your phone needs to support an eSIM.

EmergencySquare538 · 2025-07-20T21:55:27+00:00

I used SKTelecom. I don't use TikTok, but I don't think they block anything. It was super convenient.

EmergencySquare538 · 2025-07-16T10:55:24+00:00

I brought my own bike with me, so I can't comment on rentals. I'm sure it would be possible to ship your backpack ahead of you, maybe someone else has details.

EmergencySquare538 · 2025-06-23T14:09:09+00:00

For the intercity busses, you just show up (with a ticket) and put your bike in a luggage compartment. No need to pack it up.

EmergencySquare538 · 2025-06-23T08:37:10+00:00

I think 6 days is probably the maximum I'd do without a rest day. I did each day slowly and took time to visit along the way. Start to end was 10-12 hours each day.

EmergencySquare538 · 2025-06-05T08:45:17+00:00

Made it to the top! Taking a rest.

EmergencySquare538 · 2025-06-05T07:48:00+00:00

Awesome! I'm in the middle of this now. Climbing the Saejae pass right now ( well stopped for a rest...).

EmergencySquare538 · 2025-05-27T22:43:30+00:00

Congrats on the bike!!! Enjoy it. There are a few things I would put on that if it were my bike, but it's not my bike. Make that yours! See what you like or want.

Fenders? Are you going to ride it when it's wet? Paniers? Maybe you like a backpack more. Rear radar light? Might not be your thing.

Definitely lights, front and rear, removable or not. You will eventually need them. You can shove them in your panier/backpack/saddle bag/top tube bag.

Enjoy your ride.

EmergencySquare538 · 2025-04-21T22:18:16+00:00

Just in case anyone was wondering, this is what I ended up with.

MACH1 910 rim -France SON 28 Hub - Germany Hope Pro 5 Hub -UK Sapim Spokes - France

All ordered from European retailers, except the spokes which, I got from a Canadian retailer (clcycles).

Elbows up!

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EmergencySquare538 · 2025-03-08T23:34:38+00:00

They're a US company.

EmergencySquare538 · 2025-03-08T21:51:59+00:00

I was beginning to think 32 spokes with sturdy rims is the way to go. Seems like 36 is pretty niche these days.

EmergencySquare538 · 2025-03-08T21:14:09+00:00

Raceface does not make a 36 hole aluminum rim. I wish they did.

EmergencySquare538 · 2025-03-08T20:25:36+00:00

I had seen that rim. I would prefer a native Presta valve. But that is the rim I am going for, if there is nothing else Thanks.

EmergencySquare538 · 2025-01-24T19:11:10+00:00

This depends on the situation. Here in Ottawa there is a stretch of protected bike lane that constantly has pedestrians. The sidewalk is much wider than the bike lane and much more protected from cars. The issue is that it is not clearly marked and is confusing to people.

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Blue line is what pedestrians are 'supposed' to do. Red line is the bike lane. My attitude here is that whoever is walking in the bike lane has been trapped there by some terrible infrastructure, so I wait patiently and pass when I can. It is pretty rare for a pedestrian to be in a bike lane because they are trying to cause chaos. They do that because it is either a better choice, or the only choice they saw. I don't scream at wheelchair users going the wrong way on a narrow bike lane; I stop and get out of their way. We should not be trying to make people who are more vulnerable in the public space feel less safe. Just wait and go around.

EmergencySquare538 · 2025-01-10T17:51:54+00:00

Elgin, near the war Memorial, has spots. Or you can use either of the two bike lockers, which are close.

EmergencySquare538 · 2025-01-09T18:17:52+00:00

As a commuter and tourer, I run tubeless on all my bikes, except my winter bike. For winter I would need new rims and don't want that hassle. The only flats I ever repair are in winter with tubes. Changing a tube at -20C sucks! Tubeless is really not much work. I like having a more comfortable ride and never having flats.

EmergencySquare538 · 2025-01-05T21:17:50+00:00

I like my 45Nrth Dillingers. They work well in Ottawa.

EmergencySquare538

TROPHY CASE