Cycling is my passion.

Like most Canadian's, my first bicycle was the greatest vehicle for freedom that I had ever known until.... I was 16 and bought my first car. Driving seemed like freedom and so I drove everywhere (even to school, 3 blocks away!). I didn't have much interest in bicycles until I got a job as a bicycle courier in 1990. Then I discovered the thrill of speed created by my own body. I loved being on my bike everyday.

Life and travel distracted me from cycling and I didn’t ride much until I moved to Vancouver in 1999. I bought a second hand bike and would use it to get around the city.

After reading about pollution, finite oil reserves and then much deliberation about the impact of my own actions I decided to sell my truck and motorcycle. I had always associated freedom with automobile ownership and it took 18 months to build up the courage. I finally did it in 2003.

I don't miss owning an automobile. I get the best parking spots, rarely get held up by traffic and my health has never been better. There are big money savings in Car Free living.

My wife, Farah, and I discovered cycle touring in 2002. We set out to ride from Vancouver to Port Hardy (450 kms) with a friend of ours. We got as far as Bowser (100 kms) and could go no further. My strongest memory is pedalling along the old Island Highway and how much I enjoyed the sound of gear changes (strange as it sounds).
   
 

That trip changed how we looked at traveling and since we have cycled around the western tip of Cuba, ridden to the Haida Gwaii (Queen Charlotte Islands), ridden most of the Gulf Islands, Sunshine Coast, and our biggest trip to date was to Ottawa. On my own I have ridden to Prince George, Banff, Kootenays, 100 mile house, the entire Vancouver Island and take every opportunity to ride to my shows. My favorite thing to do is get up early and ride for 10-12 hours, eat enormouse amounts of food, go to bed early and do it again the next day (Farah doesn't enjoy this as much as I).

I ride between 12000-20000 kilometres per year. I ride to all my shows if weather and time permit. I even take every opportunity move furniture..... by bike (Pics 1, 2, 3) .

I love the bicycle and I have a particular interest in innovation (recumbents). My wife and I have ridden to Ottawa from Vancouver on a Back to Back recumbent tandem (picture). For us it is the ultimate way to travel as a couple. You can carry way more gear than you should in the centre of the bike, the stoker (person on the back) doesn’t have to stare at the back side of the captain all day long, no saddle sores, great aerodynamics, and it keeps the couple together when one person is stronger. If each person is open to communication then you will build trust and work through the challenges that arise. And on the days when both are energetic - WE FLY!