With the roads finally clear of snow in large swaths of Saskatchewan, and it finally starting to feel like spring, many are ready to hit the road on two wheels and kick off the biking season.
But before you get started, Tim Friesen of Regina’s Western Cycle bike shop says you shouldn’t skip doing spring maintenance.
“A bike at its core is a machine. All machines need maintenance,” Friesen told Blue Sky host Leisha Grebinski.
He said you should not feel intimidated by the idea of doing some of that work yourself, because “for the most part,” bike maintenance is “really approachable.”
Western Cycle hosts several bike maintenance workshops throughout the spring and summer to teach people to do their own repairs and “demystify” bike maintenance.
“We strongly encourage people to take as much responsibility as they feel comfortable with [for] taking care of their bike,” Friesen said.
“You can save yourself a ton of money at the bike shop if you do a few things yourself,” he said.
Bike Regina is hosting a bike co-op at Malty National on May 2 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., where they provide tools and you can bring your bike.
A Bridge City Bicycle Co-op event. (Submitted by Saskatoon Cycles)
In Saskatoon, the non-profit and volunteer-run Bridge City Bicycle Co-operative offers courses on bike maintenance and how to fix your own bike.
Bridge City Bicycle Co-operative has its used and tuned up bike sale on May 2 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Get a helmet and bike lock
You also need a helmet, and the most important thing is that it fits, said Jory Cadman of Saskatoon Cycles, an advocacy group that promotes safe cycling.
Any bike shop would have staff that can help you find the right one, she said. You should also “get the beefiest lock you can afford,” as bike theft is common, she said.
Her advice is to lock or chain up your bike somewhere visible where there’s a lot of traffic.
LISTEN | Saskatchewan’s biking community:
Blue Sky50:56Saskatchewan’s biking community
It’s officially bike season. We heard about Kaz Bike Lab in Regina where he’s serving up bike repairs with a side of espresso. We also spoke to Tim Friesen from Western Cycle and Jory Cadman from Saskatoon Cycles about the biking communities in Regina and Saskatoon and events that people can take part in. Nathan Jones also joined us to talk about the Big Pelican Ride around Redberry Lake.
If you’re riding in the city, you should make sure to get lights so you’re visible at night and get a bell, Cadman said.
Friesen’s suggestion for picking a city commuting bike is to get one that allows for you to sit more upright, so that your head can be on “a swivel and you’re more visible.”
Big Pelican Ride on June 20
Once you’re kitted up, if you’re looking for a summer cycling ride and the opportunity to see pelicans, on “Saskatchewan’s funnest bike ride,” registration is open for the Big Pelican Ride near Redberry Lake.
Nathan Jones grew up in the area and started the group ride three years ago, after a friend with a farm in Thickwood Hills offered to host one of the mid-ride aid stations.
He said the Thickwood Hills area with all its secondary grid roads lend themselves well to cycling and there’s a lot of wildlife to be seen.
The Big Pelican Ride’s organizer says the ride takes up along gravel roads, through conservation land and over many rolling hills, with few cars around. (submitted by the Big Pelican Ride)
Last year, Jones said the group saw “the whole Saskatchewan safari”: pelicans, cormorants, eagles, bears, moose and deer.
The shortest route is 20 km and the longest route is 120 km, he said. The hope is that anyone with any interest, at any age can come out and try the group bike trip.
Casual cycling clubs
In Regina, Western Cycle starts its ride club in May.
Friesen said all their rides are “no drop” so no one gets left behind and they have different ride days with different levels of intensity, including a casual “lazy lap” around Wascana Park that ends with at the ice cream truck.
He said e-bike users are welcome.
Saskatoon Cycles offers once a month “slow rolls,” which Cadman described as “really chill, casual group rides.”
Bikers taking part in Saskatoon Cycles’ slow roll event that is for all ages and abilities. (Submitted by Saskatoon Cycle)
She said all ages and abilities are welcome and the rides normally last up to an hour.
Saskatoon Cycle also has the Keep Rolling program where they offer a two hour session with any group that wants to learn how to ride a bike or who want to learn how to ride more safely, said Cadman.
“You can learn at any age,” she said.
Bikes for newcomers
This year Western Cycle has partnered with the Regina Open Doors Society to help get bikes to new Canadians, said Friesen.
If you have a bike just lying around “that could use a good home,” you can bring it to Western Cycle for them to fix up, make them safe to ride and then donate them to the Regina Open Doors Society, he said.
New Canadians then have a little more freedom and an easier time exploring their new surroundings, he said.