Where is Seb?
  • Home
  • About Me
  • Biking across Canada
    • The Adventure
    • Gear
    • Pictures/Videos
    • Blog/Diary
    • Thanks
  • Follow Me
  • Get in Touch
  • Cool Links
  • Wall of Fame

Calgary - Day Off #1

6/15/2012

0 Comments

 
Picture
Tough day today!
Woke up at 9am but not feeling too good. As much as I wanted to help Melanie with her trip I felt mine was morphing and turning into hers and I couldn't allow that because it wouldn't be fair to myself. I've been planning this trip for so long in my head that it'd be a shame to arrive to Newfoundland and still feel incomplete. As much as I appreciate her company I think it's time we pursue our own trip as we dreamed them in our heads. After a helpful phone conversation with Martin (thanks again buddy) I packed my bike and had it ready, then left with her and went to a Starbucks close by, that's when I delivered the news, I know it was a bit surprising to her and it felt like if I was breaking up with someone but I know she has the heart and will, just needs to find the courage and confidence to finish, and those things you find on your own. We said goodbye and I stayed in the coffee shop for a little bit longer looking for a place to spend the night in warmshowers.org, I knew there was a HI-Hostel but I wanted to give warmshowers a chance and I am so glad I did because I met Rick and Tanya McFerrin and their 3 great kids Tarn, Sampson and Markos. 

Picture
Rick and Tanya went around the world between 1998 and 2001 and they were so changed by that experience that besides joining warmshowers.org Rick also founded Two Wheel View in Calgary which is an organization that helps youth to stay out of trouble by introducing them to the world of cycling. Either they build their own bicycles and get to keep them at the end of the program or they can go on organized bike tours in Canada, USA or overseas for 2 weeks to experience other cultures while biking. I was so grateful to have landed by fluke in their home plus their ideals on life, family and society are simply admirable and an example to follow for all of us.

Picture
I got in contact with my parents, brother and Claire since I had cel phone coverage again. After we had lunch/dinner I helped them with some gardening chores and we saw a movie all together. I was in bed around 11PM. Great day with great people.

0 Comments

Finding the right Bike! Marin Four Corners

3/7/2012

0 Comments

 
Well, after almost 2 months of research and one bicycle show I have narrowed it down to one bike, and the winner is.....(drum roll) the Marin Four Corners. 
It was the right decision for many reasons, while the Trek 520 & Surly Long Haul Trucker have been manufacturing touring bikes since 30 years ago or more, there were around the $1700 bikes, so way off my budget. The Raleigh Sojourn although nice and good looking was heavy and I wasn't sure disc brakes were the best option (for a quick fix) on the road. The Marin Four Corners on the other hand was only $900 and it comes with the option of Cantilever or Disc Brakes, and the whole Forest Green sexy look sold me on the spot! (yeah, green's my favourite colour)
At the bike show I was lucky enough thanks to my brother to get a hold the Marin representative and obtain that amazing price, he was very interested about my trip and being the Four Corners a new addition to the catalogue almost proud I had chosen Marin for my trip. He was very helpful and courteous and offered assistance for when I reach Quebec.
My main urban commuter bike for the past 5 years has been a Marin Kentfield, so I know it is a reliable, strong and lasting bike plus I know the mechanic/repair part will be easy.

Here you can see all the specifications of the bike directly on the Marin website
http://www.marinbikes.com/2011/bike_specs.php?serialnum=1855

And for the "Eye Candy" here's a picture of my mean-lean-green-machine!

Countdown to the Trip = 87 Days left.
Picture
0 Comments

Shopping for the dream bike

3/1/2012

0 Comments

 
Well, the most important piece in this crazy bicycle adventure of course is the bike itself. Touring bikes are not that affordable and they surpass the $1000, and the ones that are under that range are normally cheap quality. Since I am going to be ridding it for 3 months everyday I figured i need to find something that won't break on the first week.
I started looking for used bikes but no luck, many brands make touring bikes but I managed after 3 months of research to narrow it down to four. 
- Trek 520
- Surly Long Haul Trucker
- Raleigh Sojourn
- Marin Four Corners
The Toronto International Bike Show is coming soon so I will have a better chance to test them and take a better look at them in order to choose "the one"

Countdown to the Trip = 95 Days.
0 Comments

    Author

    A Venezuelan/Canadian dreamer who loves to travel and discover new places and cultures. Backpack's always ready!

    Picture

    Archives

    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012

    Categories

    All
    Across Canada
    Adam Baker
    Adventure
    Around The World
    Bicycle
    Bicycle Touring
    Bike
    Bike Lock
    Bike Repair Course
    Bike Service
    Biking
    Biking Across Canada
    Bmw
    Budget
    Canada
    Can Do
    Carrying
    Central Tech
    Charley Boorman
    Clothing
    Craigslist
    Distributor
    Doubts
    Ewan Mcgregor
    Fear
    Foam Pad
    Gear
    Gig
    Insecurities
    Ktm
    Learn4life
    Life
    Loads
    Long Way Round
    Maps
    Marin Bicycles
    Marin Four Corners
    Mountain Equipment
    Nani
    Nomad Sleeping Bag 0
    Nomad Sleeping Bag -0
    Packing
    Panniers
    Quebec
    Questions
    Rain Clothes
    Raleigh Sojourn
    Ridding
    Saturday
    Sleeping Bag
    Spoke
    St Patricks
    Surly Long Haul Trucker
    Surly Long Truck Hauler
    Ted Talks
    Tent
    Thornhill
    Toronto
    Toronto School District Board
    Touring Bicycle
    Touring Bike
    Travel
    Traveling
    Travelling
    Trek 520
    Trevor
    Trip
    Unpacking
    Used
    Wheel
    Work
    Wrench

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.