WTF… Episode 2, Season 2

Welll… just when I thought I was safe from any more thefts. My bike was stolen AGAIN.. but this time at Bay and Bloor, without a seat on it, a Ulock and a cable lock. I had just got new pedals too! Mother fu…. but thank heavens for small mercys the sprockets were in need of a tune up, the chain kept falling off and i’m glad I didn’t fix before someone took off with it.
It wasn’t meant to be.. i’ll just convince myself that It really missed Calgary and ran away from home.

I still have the old bike that my aunt gave to me last year – i call it “un-stealable” I will get it tuned and road ready.

It’s amazing how situations can be similar in content and context but my perspectives are so different presently then they were last year when Napoleon was stolen the first time. Amazing. I still very much hate the fact that this city has an enormous amount of bike thefts per year, and that very little get returned to their owners. It’s like a bit of who I am was violated and carelessly regarded as unimportant. Don’t give up the search fellow bikers.
I miss you Napoleon. We’ll meet again one day.
I hope you are well and having fun riding the mountains once more.
Love Meghan

Second time ’round – New Season

Hello fellow bikers!
It’s the second time ’round for Ride Hard, Ride Long.
I’m sorry for the long absence, I’ve been trying to shoot, edit and understand the meaning of life – with no full results. Last year around this time I was shooting like crazy because I was very unemployed and needed to fill a void where excitement used to be. Now, I’m busy as all get out. My job is.. well let’s just say not exactly perfect.. I’m working on an Open Source website called www.homebrewfilms.ca with a few of my very good friends!, which will hopefully ignite those creative inclinations that we have but may be undiscovered or nurtured. Check it out, sign up in the community (Brewery) and give your feedback! We’d very much appreciate it.
So.. back on my bike and ready for a new and exciting season.
Get ready for some upset and a trip to Montreal in episode 2 and 3 of season 2.

Enjoy! and Happy Biking.

Global Aware isn’t a Bear

Hey everyone,

It’s me again. After a long break from my blog I have returned with a tribute to Global Aware, with whom I’ve had the greatest summer – an eye opening summer. I believe they do great work and want to support them through this crazy economic turn for the worst. So please. Go check out their info shop in Kensington Market and go to the website to see some amazing photographs taken all over the world – depicting social injustices, environmental need and political turmoil. They’re a non-profit and could really use the support.

Check out my vid where Rima and I are the main focus of attention – oH and my new camera.

M

Willow Tree – Chad VanGaalen

The Return of Napoleon – Episode 11

I found my stolen bike guys!!
In Toronto over the past few weeks, 3300 bikes were found in different locations around the city – all hoarded by a man named Igor Kenk. A man who deliberately steal bikes, dismembers them, and then ask theft victims if they could identify their bikes if they inquire.

He had bikes that he or others had stolen more than 8 years ago.
Yesterday, I went down to 30 Ordinance Rd to search through the bike rubble, frames, miscellaneous parts to find my Blue Raleigh Serengeti – the bike I had shipped out from Calgary that I had no proof for – no receipt, no serial number, nothing. The only thing I brought down to convince TO police was my laptop – opened to my video blog.

Much to my surprise the bike was there and the TO police happily gave it back to me. My bike is pretty much intact, its missing it’s pedals and it’s bell – but I’m pretty sure the brakes are new – so i’m not too disappointed. Amazing!

I’m going to register my bike now and hopefully after 6 months when Igor gets out of prison he wont steal it again.

Thanks for everyone’s support, It means a lot. I probably would have lost faith a while ago.

music: Lizz Wright – Strange

Hamilton Schmamilton – Episode 10

Let’s all go to Hamilton and ride the trails that remind me of the highly treed and salty air of Vancouver (minus the water and too many lululemon stores).

It was a great day, super hot and humid but the shaded bush where no one existed but Joey and I set the stage for a fun filled afternoon.

Joey wanted to kill himself going off jumps in the terrain park but instead just got some bruises and a slightly scarred ego. Sorry Joey.

Check out the new episode and go bike Hamilton already!

music: Beck – Gamma Ray

Slightly Battered and Brusied – Ep. 9

I’m back..

I have such an amazing family. My aunt Margaret heard that my lovely blue Raleigh was taken from me last week, and she graciously gave me her bike. It’s amazing, it’s not flashy or embellished with unnecessary components, it’s not full of itself or cocky, it’s real.

I’m going to enjoy and love this bike, I’m going to take this bike behind a middle school and get it pregnant (30 Rock quote).

Welcome into my world new bike – Free Spirit.. just like me – I think we’ll make a great team.

Music: Telepopmusik – Breathe

Devastation..

Well.. my bike was stolen today..

I’m beyond sad, angry and devastated..

My bike was my metal, rubber and chain pain reliever. Always there to get me through frustrating, often debilitating circumstances. I bet the douchbag who stole my bike didn’t know that.

I guess until I get a new bike there will be a hiatus on videos.

Island in the Rain – Episode 8

Hey!

Ok, so it’s been rainy here and well.. what better way to join in the rainy fun but to go to Toronto Island and hang out with good friends.

A couple of my friends and I decided to picnic-style it – bring our bikes, taste the island beer and visit with the local residents (strange and new animals).

Although it rained we had a great time! It almost felt like the west coast – weather, water and wind.

Call It A Ritual – Wolf Parade

Tag, You’re It! – Episode 7

I find the strangest corners of the city fascinating.

I was on my bike ride a few days ago and I needed a theme for my seventh episode. I found it. Behind Queen West’s most interesting hotels, pubs, clubs and shops – lives graffiti art. Some of the best spray painted images I’ve seen live deep within the alleyways. Vibrant colours and interesting illegible writing litter the streets behind the main drag and I needed to share them with you.

Take a look…

Music: Voice of the Voiceless – Rage Against The Machine

Frisbee, Honey.

Wow! It’s been so beautiful in Toronto the past few days and I simply had to break in my very expensive ($1) Frisbee.

My good friend Joe Pack loves the camera, he is entertaining to say the least!

We had a wicked afternoon! And yes that guy was walking backwards, it was strange but hilarious!

My plan for all these blogs is to make one huge video at the end of the summer, the next few blogs will be slightly different from the last few – more questions, talking, considering points of view etc. there still will be music and there will be great images – that much won’t change.

Hope you all are having an amazing spring/summer – ride your bike, skateboard, unicyle, scooter, anything that gives you pleasure (ahem).

Enjoy the 6th episode!

Music: Death to Los Campesinos! – Los Campesinos!