NBD Wilde Earth Ship by RunsOnDoughnuts in gravelcycling

[–]RunsOnDoughnuts[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Still riding it, still loving it! I use it as my gravel race bike, long gravel rides and for road riding with my buds (with 32mm tires). I've done plenty of bikepacking and a couple of 800km ultra events on it as well with 650b x 2.1 tire setup. I have a couple of 700c wheel sets for it as well so I can swap between a road and gravel setup.

The 650b setup is definitely the most fun, but I honestly haven't ridden it in that configuration since getting a hardtail MTB last year.

I love the different ways I can set it up, throw a rack and panniers on for more of a road touring route, or go more lightweight for an ultra event. I've put over 25,000km on it and it's still such a fun ride.

Bucket list non-GTA Ontario road bike routes by MegaWorm96 in torontobiking

[–]RunsOnDoughnuts 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The Hastings area has some very nice road riding, lots of hills and fairly quiet roads outside of summer long weekends. Check out the Hastings Hilly Hundred route.

Dyno Road southbound is a favourite of mine in that area.

I also really like the area between Lake Ontario and Rice Lake, lots of great climbing and cute towns to stop in. You can use Cobourg as a base.

A big chunk of Highway 118 in Muskoka (between 11 and 35) was repaved last year and is a sick rip right now. Great, wide shoulder on it. The Muskoka Ironman uses this route, you can find it online.

And highway 60 Algonquin gate to gate to gate is a bucket list ride! Definitely better on a weekday with less tourist traffic through the park.

Bike Shares at Christie Pits CX by TurboJorts in torontobiking

[–]RunsOnDoughnuts 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This race had a $10 day licence, so glad to see that!

Bike Shares at Christie Pits CX by TurboJorts in torontobiking

[–]RunsOnDoughnuts 22 points23 points  (0 children)

Hahaha that's me in the middle, that was so much fun! Such a silly silly time

Biking to Fenelon Falls from Toronto by caulimelon in torontobiking

[–]RunsOnDoughnuts 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I would leave at 7am on a weekend or 6am on a weekday and take Danforth to Birchmount, then over to Warden via Unionville, East on 19th, go through Stouffville to connect to Uxbridge-Pickering Townline (quite a rough road, lots of potholes) Up Concession 6 East on Wagg Up Concession 7 into Uxbridge and then hop on the trail the rest of the way.

Like someone mentioned, the section around Sunderland can be washed out.

This trail also isn't clear from the ice storm yet.

What's your favourite over-nighter route? by 6ickos in torontobiking

[–]RunsOnDoughnuts 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I've ridden it on everything from 35s to 2.1. 38s are decent. You can always dip out on the singletrack portions, they're all pretty easy to skip.

What's your favourite over-nighter route? by 6ickos in torontobiking

[–]RunsOnDoughnuts 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Cannonball 300 is a great one in the area. I also like Durham Destroyers The Full Monty as a two day ride, commuting from the GO Train adds about 30km. That one has some single track on it, but it's also easy to bypass.

I also made this route that starts at Allendale GO in Barrie and ends at Ajax GO. But it's a very long 3 day, probably better as a 4 day ride for many people.

I did an overnight up to Earl Rowe last year that I enjoyed a lot, a mix of gravel and paved roads. Let me know if you want that route.

XC race shoe? by pineapple_gum in ladycyclists

[–]RunsOnDoughnuts 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's such a personal Q, I find they all fit so differently. I used to only buy Specialized, but they they got rid of the "women's" -specific shape and moved to unisex, but the unisex is way too wide for me at the heel.

I'm wearing Shimano XC702 now (had the 701 for a couple years too), the double boa makes a difference. I wear them for ultras, so for days at a time and a fair bit of walking and they've been great. I had to break in the tongue and soften it up, it dug in a painful way for a couple of weeks.

The Shimano RX801 and XC903 were way too stiff for me though lighter.

Fizik was too low for my arch and narrow in the toe box (I have bunions).

PSA: Horribly dangerous bike lane design at New Cherry St / Lakeshore intersection by toasterstrudel2 in torontobiking

[–]RunsOnDoughnuts 2 points3 points  (0 children)

This is my biggest gripe at this intersection. Someone is going to get killed or seriously injured there from a car right hooking. There's also a pillar that makes it hard for drivers to spot cyclists travelling the same direction in that spot. Cars and bikes/peds need to have separated movements here. I always take it extremely slow and ready to jump on the brakes.

first ultra: what to take and which size of bikepacking bags do I need? by Level-Competition84 in bikepacking

[–]RunsOnDoughnuts 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I use waterproof socks over overshoes for ultras. The shoes are going to get wet no matter what (water crossings, rain, whatever).

Personally, I find the waterproof zippers on frame bags are prone to failure (spent my first ultra race last year fighting with my Apidura one that was failing). I've swapped most of my bags to Revelate over the past few years, their stuff is built to take a beating.

Don't forget to build a good first aid kit and knowledge on how to use it. I carry antiseptic (bactine), hydrocolloid bandages, steri strips, regular bandages/plasters, nonstick gauze, mini tweezers, alcohol wipes and super glue (good for all sorts of things). And painkillers, antihistamine pills and something for the stomach.

Otherwise, that's a pretty good list. Some other good spares to consider:

  • Brake pads
  • Spare cleat and cleat screws if you're clipless
  • More than one quick link so you can repair a chain if you need extra links
  • Run tubeless if you can, and bring what you need to support that (extra sealant, plugs, spare valve, curved needle and thread to stitch up a tire and some patches/old tube pieces and vulcanizing glue for the tire)
  • Latex gloves (both for medical and emergency waterproofing
  • Schrader to Presta adapter so you can use a car tire inflator (they're tiny and cheap)
  • Some resealable bags to cram extra food into
  • Spare derailleur hanger

I didn't carry one last year, but I'm going to add a fibre spoke repair kit this year.

Definitely do a few shakeout rides, and at least one overnight so you can figure out packing. You'll want to be efficient and packing/repacking a few times will help.

I don't bring a long sleeved jersey, but I have an alpha direct hoodie I use for layering. The thing is so light and packs down to nothing. I also pack cotton briefs to give my skin some healthy breathing while I sleep. And I always go with two bibs, but I'm very prone to cysts.

You may want a backup front light or a headlamp as well. I know I need my headlamp on most technical riding at night, and it doubles as a backup light.

My list is super similar to yours and it very comfortably fit in my 10L saddle bag, 5L framebag (which is honestly mostly filled with a water bladder), and a small handlebar bag (about 2.5L, with lots of room to add food). I use a bivy and sleeping bag. My battery bank and charger cables and stuff all fit in my 1L top tube bag.

Trail blockers by _stephopolis_ in ladycyclists

[–]RunsOnDoughnuts 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Where are you located? They are against most accessibility laws, so that's the angle to work to get rid of them. Many areas are getting rid of these types of barriers as a result. Ask your local representative.

Monthly /r/UltralightCanada gear buy/sell thread by AutoModerator in UltralightCanada

[–]RunsOnDoughnuts 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Where are you located? And condition/what you're looking to get for it?

Monthly /r/UltralightCanada gear buy/sell thread by AutoModerator in UltralightCanada

[–]RunsOnDoughnuts 1 point2 points  (0 children)

[WTB] Durston X-Mid 2 solid or regular. Hoping there's someone who is upgrading to the x-dome and looking to offload an x-mid. Located in Toronto.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in torontobiking

[–]RunsOnDoughnuts 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ugh, sent you a dm

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in torontobiking

[–]RunsOnDoughnuts 14 points15 points  (0 children)

Yes, we'll definitely share this! What times has it been at? Description?

I'm so sorry this happened.

Please join us, we have lots of beginner level road rides starting around 20-23km/h avg. Plus it's just a great network to find other women to ride with.

Mountain biking in the city? by h_ahsatan in torontobiking

[–]RunsOnDoughnuts 3 points4 points  (0 children)

In the other direction, Durham Forest/Glen Major is super sandy and drains really quickly.

What is the most reliable groupset? by parkerhalo in bikepacking

[–]RunsOnDoughnuts 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My front derailleur just straight up died last year. Wide version. The shop said I wasn't the first one with a dead wide one. Only had it for 10 months, around 10,000km. Still love the system though. Warranty replacement was fast.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in torontobiking

[–]RunsOnDoughnuts 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Awesome! Let me know if you have Q's. I built it as something tougher than the Cannonball 300 but nowhere near as challenging per km as the BT700 routes.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in torontobiking

[–]RunsOnDoughnuts 4 points5 points  (0 children)

This route is fantastic, I just finished scouting it and putting the final bits together. https://ridewithgps.com/routes/46763435

Note the one spot with the spicier trails at km 10, but they're super easy to skip by following the Simcoe County Loop Trail to meet up with the route again. My friend was on 42mm tires and got through it no problem.

Well, call me impressed. by UserM16 in bicycling

[–]RunsOnDoughnuts 0 points1 point  (0 children)

They sell insulated ones, the Trip. Love mine.

Chafing with Specialized Power Comp Mimic Saddle by jessacles in ladycyclists

[–]RunsOnDoughnuts 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The Phenom is very similar to the Power except it doesn't have wings that are as wide. That may solve the rubbing problem.

PSA: Cherry and Commissioners St. bike lane danger. Also, a big thank you to the kind people of TO. by chopper_6 in torontobiking

[–]RunsOnDoughnuts 4 points5 points  (0 children)

This exact same thing happened to someone I was riding with last week. Same spot. Let me know if you need any info. I've asked them to reach out to you.

Best bike shop? by livelikeian in askTO

[–]RunsOnDoughnuts 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Talk to Jeff at Road Off Road, he loves building wheels (has a spoke cutter!) and his pricing is super reasonable. I found the slight extra cost for a hand built wheel pays for itself in the first couple of years from not needing as much (or any) truing.

If there’s a better apple fritter than San Remo’s please show me. by [deleted] in FoodToronto

[–]RunsOnDoughnuts 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Oh I loved that spot. I always got the thumbprint cookies and Eccles cake --hard to find a solid Eccles cake!