Moving into a new city? Don’t forget your bike!

A few months ago, I thought I would spend the Summer of 2017 just like any other Summer: working, seeing my friends and family, travelling and, of course, cycling on my favorite routes. But then, I had the amazing opportunity to move to a new city for a couple of months for work. It turns out that one of the things I love the most in life is discovering new places and getting out of my comfort zone; the answer to this opportunity was an easy YES!!!

Even though I was moving to the very busy city of Toronto, which I knew little about, the first things added on my moving list were my beloved bike and my PEPPERMINT gear. Let the discovery begin!

If there is one thing that (almost) all cyclists have in common, it is the desire to discover new things and explore new places: new roads, new climbs, new scenic views, new coffee shops, etc. Well, that is the main reason why bringing your bike in your new city is the best way to discover it.

When I got to Toronto, MapMyRide and Strava quickly became my new favorite apps.

• You can either find the next route you want to try or find some inspiration to create your own. If you like climbing, these apps can also help you find your next big challenge. The truth is, the view is always better when your legs got you there and not your car. Go see your new city from its highest point!

• Other than being a great exploring app, Strava is cool in many other ways. Moving to a new city, there is a good chance that you will join group rides to meet new people. As Strava is becoming more and more popular, it is a good idea to use it during these group rides because the app will link your ride with other users that rode with you – you can then subscribe to their profile and connect with them. 

• Also, one of the main reasons I love it is the “Segments” function. It is a great way of challenging yourself; you can either compare your own results from one ride to another or you can chase the famous crowns! 

• Finally, there are many different clubs that you can join depending on your area, your favourite bike or coffee shop, your cycling team, etc. Since clubs are all about cyclist community and the PEPPERMINT community is a great one, a Strava club was created in order to reunite all PEPPERMINT riders. Click here to become part of the greatest club.

Cycling will allow you to meet new people and certainly new cycling friends because we all know that one day or the other, you’ll have to visit a bike shop in your area. This is a great opportunity to learn a little bit more about the spots to ride. Ask around to know where people are usually going for their week-end rides and where they like to stop for a good mid-ride coffee or an after-ride beer :)

Finally, the most important thing that I realized this Summer is that, wherever you are – and whether it is alone or with friends, jumping on your bike is one of the most effective ways to let go of all the daily stress and to enjoy fresh air. When in doubt, ride your bike!

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Katherine Patry, proud ambassadors of the PEPPERMINT Collective