Author spotlight: Chris

Author spotlight: Chris – Toronto

June 16th, 2010 · No Comments

Name: Christine Brennan

Nickname: chris, ms.chris

Star sign/Blood type: Aquarius / A+

Birthday: Jan 23

Current city: Toronto, Canada

What’s the bike scene like in Toronto for females?
Even though drivers aren’t the most courteous, and the roads can be full of potholes, the streets in the spring/summer/autumn are full of all types of cyclists, and a great deal are female. There are a good deal of women commuters, but it seems that most just ride casually just to get around: on cruisers, hybrids, old ten speeds, in heels, flip flops, sneakers, jeans, shorts, skirts, dresses – whatever. Although there’s are lots of females on bikes, there are not a ton that ride fixed. That scene still seems dominated by guys. Ditto for bike polo and alley cats. There are also a bunch of programs to help women learn about how to fix their own bike without feeling intimidated by guys. CBN and Bike Pirates (DIY spaces) each have women-only times, which are great ways to help empower women and promote more female riders.

What’s your favourite ride right now? tough call, I love my miele fixed conversion (my regular ride) for around town, but my newly built bianchi volpe touring bike is the bomb! for getting out of the city.

Where’s your favourite place to ride? it’s a toss up between riding home late evening when the streets are getting deserted, or my waterfront commute to work in the morning….

Favourite riding outfit: now that it’s summer – my new sugoi betty skirt & tank top/jersey, spring/fall – midzero tights, skirt and firewall jacket…. I love sugoi! (I don’t usually wear skirts, except while riding = no saddle sores!)

Favourite snack food: plain tortilla chips

Favourite book: oh, the places you’ll go! – dr. seuss

What makes you laugh? the fact that this question stumped me! umm… all the small little quirky things about people…and the fact that we’re all so different, yet all so the same.