Since the holidays are coming up quickly, I thought I would put together some tips for sustainable gift giving! The Gift of Time or Experiences Does it feel stressful to find the “perfect gift” for someone? We often put so much pressure on ourselves for something that’s supposed to be fun and filled with love! Instead of buying yet another material item, why not spend some quality time with your loved one instead? Here are some nearly free ideas: Cook them a nice dinner Go skating on the Rideau Canal or Rink of Dreams  Volunteer somewhere together Help them with something you're good at or that would be useful to them - babysitting, pet walking, cleaning, painting, etc. For the past few years, I have had the rule that unless a person specifically requests a material item, I gift an experience. I love this approach because you can easily tailor the experience to any budgetary requirements. Also, the best part is that you get to spend quality time with your loved ones and make memori...

We all love it when everything is covered in white snow... or hate it, winter is just an unpredictable season. You might be one of those people who store their bikes when the 'frozen season' begins; or maybe you’re one of those people that own a bike but has not used it in a long time. But in our pandemic reality, biking has become a popular activity; one that doesn’t have to stop just because of a bit of snow.  Honestly, I’ve never biked in Canada before; much less during winter. I come from a country where I grew up afraid of biking; there were no bike lanes (unless you lived in a very privileged neighborhood); no bike racks on buses; and a lot of careless drivers (I've actually seen a lot of accidents). Let's just say cycling was more of an extreme sport than a pleasant day to day activity.  But here in Ottawa, it’s different. It’s easier to navigate through the city. Even during winter it’s possible to explore the surroundings and get you where you have to go. So I’...

Riding your bicycle all year round can be quite the challenge. In the summer, some say that the rain and wind keep them from riding. In winter, others say that the snow, the ice, and the cold temperatures make riding sometimes dangerous. In both of these cases, many tools are available to either reduce risk or make your s ride more pleasant. Winter riding Winter riding can be dangerous, which is why it’s important keep your eye on the prize. Here are a few tips to make your ride more pleasant and safer: First, dress appropriately. If possible always have a wind breaker because it helps to keep warm when the wind blows hard. A good pair of gloves, pleather if possible, helps a lot because wind doesn’t pass through them. Bring an extra pair of socks if you feel the need or if the forecasted weather includes rain (or even worse.... freezing rain). Second, use a second hand bike. Salt and sand can destroy you bike during winter so if you don’t want to end up wasting money on re...

It's about that time of the year again, you know... when you start taking a serious look at hanging up your biking shoes for the season. The wind stings a bit too much, you have to second guess every puddle (potential patch of black ice), and your ride is creaking and cracking all the time. Well I wanted to pound out a quick post to tell you to not give up... you can extend your biking season with some perseverance and a couple of tips. My boss has a rule of thumb, once the temperature drops to -10ºC, no more riding for him. And that's totally reasonable I think. As for me, I have biked through the last three winters and only recorded four bails during that time (and no serious injuries). Riding in the late autumn season does take a certain level of prudence. I know that you might not go right until the winter season, but if you want to try to keep riding until the snow falls, here are a couple of things you can do. Puddles aren't just pud...