Hello, from Canada! An amateur tour cyclist here!

[jhawk]

Hi there,

I'm Jack, an amateur tour cyclist from Canada! I'm English, from Bristol originally, I know - I'm a poor soul!

I'm hoping to do some short touring next year, and then culminate with a cross-Canada tour in the summer!

I'm itching to get going! But, I lack the essential bike!

I'm on a budget of between 600-800 CAD. So, not exactly poor, but enough to buy a decent, used or on-sale touring bike.

Hope to meet new people here!

Cheers,

Jack.

 

[the_mikey]

Hello! Welcome to Cyclechat

 

[Moda]

Been spending quite a bit of time in Canada myself over the past 5 or so years.... wonderful country!

My first thought would be to take a look at MEC but checking there website doesn't show much byway of Bikes.

My honest advice depending on exactly where you are in Canada is to hop over the boarder and checkout REI. Top class company that regularly does a 20% off a full price item plus you get 10% of your annual spend back in cash or vouchers. Also if that wasn't enough they have a 100% satisfaction guarantee SO if you were to buy a bike spend a year riding around Europe the decided you didn't like the colour then you could take it back for a full refund. I know people do do this not that I'm suggesting you do just that they have a genuinely awesome level of customer service.

REI's own bike brand is call Novara and have read a number of really good things about it. They also do some of the main brands like Canondale, Marin etc.

The savings you make will more than cover the large tax bill you'll get bringing it back into Canada ( well they have to find some way to pay for free health care!)

Anyway good luck

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

Hi Jack and .

When you do your tours, a write up would be good.

 

[jhawk]

Hi guys,

And thanks for the replies.

Rickshaw Phil: I do actually have a blog and a Twitter account that is dedicated to my cycling and will only be updated about my cycling trips and endeavours. From any new bikes to the tours themselves!

I'll post their URLs at the bottom.

As for looking for bargains and on-sale items, I'm all for it! I've found a touring bike on Kijiji for $50 - the woman was selling it really cheap, having just cycled across the country with it and she couldn't take it with her on her return home to wherever she's from.

So, I'll be picking that up tomorrow. Although it doesn't fit me, I'll be reselling it and/or using some of the parts to go on my own new bike.

Here it is. Can anyone shed any light on what it might be?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/101079298@N05/9642538500/

Here are the links to my Twitter and Wordpress blog:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/cyclingwithjack
WP: http://jackonabike.wordpress.com/

Thanks,

Jack

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

Had a look at the blog. I'll be keeping an eye on that.

The bike isn't one that I instantly recognize, but looks like a decent mid range trekking bike. The Brooks saddle alone is worth more than $50 so you've got quite a bargain.

 

[paul04]

Hello Jack

 

[jhawk]

Again, thanks for the replies.

Unfortunately, the only two parts of the bike she isn't selling are the panniers and the saddle itself! I know that the Brooks B17 (which is what it looks like, though I'm not expert), is worth quite a bit. But, rather than reselling it part-by-part, I would probably be better off selling it as it is and making an immediate, bulk profit (when it is eventually sold, of course).

I'll keep updating my blog and Twitter! See you all on the other side!

 

[i hate hills]

Welcome Jack from Scotland.

 

[Peteaud]

Welcome

Canada is one of the places I would love to visit.

 

[welsh dragon]

Bora da. Welcome from west Wales.

 

[Biker Joe]

Hi Jack and
Good luck with your plans.

 

[Pat "5mph"]

from Scotland!

 

[jhawk]

Thanks for the welcomes everyone! I'll keep you all updated!

 

[burndust]

welcome.......love canada been 2 years in a row and going back next year....hoping to get some cycling round banff/lake louise area when i visit next year....couldnt get any done this year cause of the floods...will be following your twitter feed