Since Duncan posted his review of his Globe he’s been getting on my case to write my own. Between work and the great weather we’ve had in Toronto I’ve been riding my Globe a lot. Some days I run errands, most days I’m commuting and other times I’m just getting around town.

On a strangely sunny February day, Duncan and I took a few photos of my Globe. The bright blue wall of a martial arts studio made for a fantastic backdrop.

Since moving to Toronto I’ve been using a bicycle much more than ever before. Even with the mild weather back in British Columbia and the three years I spent in Amsterdam for school, I’ve been biking more here. It probably helps that my boyfriend encourages me and I can’t ignore that I also have a beautiful bicycle on loan from Globe.

Even with biking in the rain my chain looks brand new. The chain cover may be why. I’m quite thankful for this feature as it means I don’t have to worry about getting grease on my clothes even if the chain isn’t very greasy.

I was a little worried about riding around with just one speed at first. There aren’t many hills in Toronto but the few I do have to go up seemed like they would be really hard. The strange thing is that I don’t notice it being any more difficult than on my other bicycle that has 20 something speeds. Maybe it’s because I get into a smooth rhythm with one speed. Actually it even feels like I’m able to go faster with this set up. I know it’s probably just in my head. But I love the feeling.

The bicycle I used in Amsterdam had a coaster brake just like my Globe. So I’m pretty comfortable using it. You just have to make sure you stop in a good position with the pedal of your stronger foot up. This makes it easier for starting again at stop signs and after red lights and takes only a little while to get used to. There’s also a front brake so I get both a back brake from the coaster and a front brake for quicker stops.

Perhaps the best part of my Globe is the front rack. It’s really big and can carry a lot. I’ll usually place my purse and my backpack on the rack and secure them with a long bungee cord. The platform area is large enough to carry groceries, boxes and pretty much anything I would consider carrying on my bicycle. Having everything up front means I can keep an eye on things and make sure nothing is bouncing loose. And since there are a lot of potholes and some construction on my routes I end up doing a lot of bouncing around.

My only complaint about the front rack is that the side rails aren’t high enough to keep anything in on their own. Bungees are necessary for carrying anything up there. It’s certainly not a big deal, and using bungees keeps everything very steady so it’s probably better than having my stuff bounce around in a big basket.

Fenders are something you must have when biking in Toronto. The streets right now are covered in salt and sand and other dirt and when it rains or the snow melts it makes for a disgusting mixture. Luckily my Globe has full metal fenders on the front and rear. They are the same colour as the frame so everything looks nice and tidy. I’m pretty surprised at how nice the brown colour is. The Globe site says the colour is “Java Brown” which I guess makes this bike like my morning coffee. It’s like a little perk that helps me get through the day.

My Globe and Duncan’s both put you in an upright riding position. The comfortable curve of the handlebar places you in a position that allows you to steer around potholes while still able to keep your head up and look around. It’s a very similar riding style to the bicycle I had in Amsterdam. Only this Globe is much lighter.

While I don’t have too many suggestions for improving this Globe I would probably add a rear rack for more space for carrying items. I recently spotted a rear rack with a wood platform that would look great and match the wood platform of the front rack on my Globe.

Riding around town I’ve had a lot of people ask me about this bike. There’s no denying that this Globe is a bike that commands a second and third look. With cycle chic web sites popping up all over the place, the bicycle is not only a great way to look good but it also helps you feel better.

I’ll finish my review by stating that even I was sceptical about using a bicycle in Toronto. The harsh cold of winter and the humidity of summer seemed enough to want to stay inside and enjoy the air conditioning. But once you start exploring this town on your bicycle you begin to realize that there’s no reason to stay inside and that a little sweat (or chill) isn’t worth giving up the outdoors.

Any bike will do in Toronto but if anyone wants to know I certainly would recommend the Globe Live 1.

Look Amazing!

Feel Great!

Have Fun!

Booty Camp Fitness!

No thank you posters. I’ll just stick to riding my bike!

This article is cross-posted from Duncan’s City Ride:

Last year I wrote about learning to travel like a cyclist in Toronto. A lack of connected cycling infrastructure and car-oriented city planning makes many of the most direct routes in Toronto also the ones with the greatest potential for door-prizes, right hooks and distracted drivers.

Traveling like a cyclist means exploring side streets, cutting through parks and taking multi-use trails where they exist. There’s also another option. One that can give you the feeling of urban exploration, even if it’s quite obvious many people pass through here on a daily basis.

In between many of Toronto’s downtown residential streets runs a grid of laneways. Barely wide enough for a large truck these laneways were originally used to deliver coal. Over the years they have become shared driveways with garages squeezed together lining each side.

Many of these laneways remain unnamed, they are often visible on Google Maps, yet can’t be integrated into trip planning. It’s as if they are a mirage, an extra layer of quiet streets untouchable online.

There are exceptions and the other day I took a winding way home starting at Croft Street:

Simple brick townhomes face this narrow laneway:

Colourful doors welcome home the owners of these bicycles:

Backyard trees throw shadows over the grey and graffiti of many laneways:

Several residents have decorated their garages, a secret pleasure for those who explore here:

Oddities abound:

Colour, though scarce, often makes a bold appearance:

Will you take the unnamed way home?

For more information on Toronto’s Laneways visit Graeme Parry’s Laneway Tour site.

Saturday, January 30th, 2010 was the Coldest Day of the Year Ride in Toronto. At -17 celsius, the day was actually the coldest in Toronto this winter. About 40 cyclists met at the Grenadier Cafe in High Park to ride along the Martin Goodman Trail, a waterfront trail that is cleared of snow all winter long. Snowfall has been light this year and a recent warm stretch has left city streets and cycling paths nearly clear of snow and ice.

Here are a few photos of the ride:

Paths are never this clear at the end of January in Toronto.

Not much room for bike parking at the Grenadier Cafe.

The warmer weather is great for cycling, but this pond is usually full of ice skaters this time of year.

The group reaches the Martin Goodman Trail.

The waterfront may be cold, but it is certainly beautiful.

The Martin Goodman Trail lets you ride uninterrupted at your own pace.

More photos at Duncan’s City Ride.