Why we’re forgoing the Bike Show this year
For those of us within the GTA cycling community, the second weekend of March marks the unofficial start of the outdoor riding season with the Toronto Bicycle Show. As a from day-one exhibitor, Racer Sportif has been a fixture at this expo, giving us a chance to connect with fellow...
Nimbl Exceed Early Review
I’ve been using the Nimbl exceed shoes for about a week and have done just a little over 1000kms on them so I think this is about the right time to give them an early review. For those that aren’t familiar with Nimbl, they are a new brand...
Breakfast beers
Nothing goes better together like coffee and cycling, right? Wrong. In a world where an oat cappuccino costs $7.00 (I’m looking at you, higher ground) it’s cheaper and more fun to get a beer on your ride. But not any kind of beer, I’m talking about a Belgian breakfast— breakfast beers. A...
Lights are not just for nighttime!
For many cyclists, both avid and more experienced. When asked if they use lights on their bike, the common answer we receive when asking this question, is either they don’t ride at night, or that they only use lights when riding at night or in the dark. I used to...
Frank the Polish MacGyver Saves the Day
Another Sunday Morning Adventure on Two Wheels There are many reasons why we enjoy riding our bicycles. One such reason is the plenty of opportunities to create great memories as we adventure through local roads with friends. This past Sunday was no exception. The morning started off quite normal. Five...
Long live the Giro D'Italia
21 stages around the most beautiful country in the world, the fans, the food, the culture - The Giro has it all. This is one of the many reasons it's my favourite race and one that I look forward to every year. The Italian fans (aka the Tifosi) are the best in...
It never gets easier, the rides just get longer.
I’ve finally emerged out of my comfortable cave of laziness that I have been in the past 5 months and became a less fit and thicker version of myself. You never realize how much weight you’ve put on until nothing in your closet fits (well) anymore. Even though I took...
New Wave Cycling Fashion
Having been around the road cycling scene for most of my life, many trends have been witnessed. Some have been able to stand the test of time, some come and go, some trends that come full circle, and some are just one of those “what were we thinking” trends. Many...
So you’ve got the cycling bug...
So you’ve got the cycling bug… Before COVID-19, the last time I probably rode a bike was probably 20 years ago. Yeah, that math kind of shocked me too just now. Needless to say, as difficult as 2020 was, I’m grateful it brought the two wheels back into my life. ...
Places to ride
Lucca Italy The birthplace of the Lion King (Mario cipollini) is synonymous with cycling and pure style. This part of Italy will look like the Giro on Sunday with the Italians bringing out their special Sunday bikes, flashiest kits and bronze-est skin . The walled city itself is absolutely beautiful...
Introduction to tubeless
Tubeless, What’s that?Often confused for tubular, we are starting to see a growing trend towards riders converting over to “tubeless” and that’s exactly what it means, no more inner tubes. Sounds bizarre, but it un-taps some great potential to improve your ride. If you are unfamiliar with tubeless tires...
Being Lazy
I was recently talking to a friend of mine and we were discussing addiction and how cycling plays an interesting role in feeding it. You know the feeling - the weather is beautiful, you’re a little tired but you have this internal argument with yourself all day whether or not...
What to get your cyclist for christmas
It’s tough, I must admit, even as a cyclist it is not easy to find Christmas gifts for a cyclist. Unless you are an avid rider yourself, it is at times hard to understand why we shave our legs, are lycra clad half of the time, and why we find...
The new kid on our block - Rapha
For what has become nearly a household name in every cyclists vocabulary across the globe, is finding a new home beyond the digital foot print it has built over the last dozen + years. We at Racer Sportif want to welcome Rapha to its new home… Oakville. You heard correctly,...
Ruining the diet in Sicily
Most of my time in Italy has always been in the north. I’ve been in the south but never as far down as Sicily. This is the first year I’m in Europe for this long as I usually leave in the spring/early summer. It was getting a little cold in...
Cold Weather Riding
Summer 2020 has been a wild ride, with cycling becoming more and more popular some new and current riders are wanting to push as far as the weather will allow them. Now the colder temperatures have arrived, getting out for that early spin will require a bit more layers of...
Chasing the U23 Giro D'italia
About two weeks ago I rode up to monte spluga with a few friends of mine here in Lecco to watch the final of the U23 Giro D'Italia. I had no idea it was even going on - not much publicity even here in Italy. I ran into the race...
Greg's cycle for kids
As popular as cycling has been during this pandemic, there is still an unquenchable thirst for more, and for some that haven’t had a drip as they watch others enjoy the freedom and boundless opportunities that only a bicycle can provide….
Many of us can still remember what it felt...
Keep the wheels turning this off season - Part 1
With the tremendous influx of new riders cycling since the start of the pandemic, it is inevitable that many new cyclists will not want to lose all the momentum they have built up during the spring and summer months, and into the fall.
Why let all that hard work erode? ,...
Fall riding must-haves
Although fall isn’t always everyone’s preferred type of riding, these products will help you make the best of it. Cobbler Mid Front and Rear LightsAs the sun sets earlier and earlier, you need a good set of lights in order to be safe on the post work ride you’ve been...