Urbanus Magnus

This is the [very long] packing list of all the items that we are going to be bringing with us to Italy for our trip (other than our two bicycles, of course). All the items on the list are the totals for both of us combined, unless otherwise noted as per person (p.p.). Extra heavy or bulky equipment like the chain to lock up our bikes, will be bought in Italy once we arrive. Clothing (p.p.) 1 pair light cotton trousers 1 pair cotton shorts 2 pairs cycling shorts 3 pairs underwear 2 cycling jerseys 2 T-shirts 3 pairs socks 1 botton-up/nice long sleeved shirt 1 waterproof riding jacket 1 cycling cap 1 helmet 1 pair cycling gloves - only for Dad 1 pair light pajamas 1 pair running shoes 1 pair walking shoes – Dad buying his overseas Personals/Toiletries Toothbrushes 1 tube toothpaste Contact lenses Lens cases and solution 2 pairs sunglasses - and regular glas...

The Itinerary has been updated to include the next few weeks of detailed sights being seen and events for all our destinations up to Rome. See it here: Summer 2012 Italian Cycling Trip + Itinerary

My buddy O'Malley and I got up early Saturday morning, strapped our bikes onto the back of my family's van and drove up to East Duffins Headwaters for a few solid hours of biking. This fairily well-kept secret of the GTA is a hiking and mountain biking park located in Glen Major forest. The park is owned by the Toronto Regional Conservation Authority (TRCA) and, although not fitted out with large berms, beams or MTB-specific structures, it is spectacular for its single track and quite a few good hills. Not to mention the *huge* length of its trails - there are enough winds, forks, and parallel paths that you wouldn't have seen them all in one full day of riding. Its on Sideline 4, a few kilometers north of Concession Road 9. Here a map of the place: Lots of multi-use, and MTB-oriented, trails. I fooled about with my phone and set it up so that GPS was on, and tracked the expedition: View MTBing the Glen in a larger map --> There are some more routes on...

My new Shimano-hubbed Sunrim Cr-18 wheelset arrived the other day, and to my chagrin - it's not drilled for Schrader valves, but presta valves (those tall, thin metal ones with threads). Nothing is wrong with presta valves - in fact they actually retain air better at high pressures - but the availability of tubes for wider tires is somewhat limited. So what does one do to remedy this problem, short of replacing the rims? Well, you drill the valve holes out, of course. Presta valves are 6mm wide, with a 6.4mm (1/4in) valve hole. In contrast, Schrader valves are 8mm wide, and have an 8.3mm (21/64in) valve hole. Luckily for me, the Cr-18 rims are wide enough to accommodate this wider hole; don't try drilling out thin rims, or those rims with a strongly arched profile, or you may end up weakening the rim significantly. Flat profile rims; its easily drillable.   Select a few dill bit sizes for stepped drilling - this will prevent th...