SURVIVING THE TOUR DE L'ILE DE MONTREAL MONTREAL CRITICAL MASS For the third consecutive year, I participated in the Tour of the island of Montreal as a volunteer mechanic on the circuit. I have already worked as a mechanic in the relays for 5 years in the 90s, but I prefer this way to participate in the event. This year's edition was very nice compared to last year. The chosen route in 2006 was absolutely atrocious. One would think that the organizers were given the task of finding the worst streets of Montreal for an organized tour of potholes and railroad crossing!
Departure This year the route chosen was perfect. This is only my humble opinion, but make a detour package in the small streets to a highway pleasing to the eye is not a simple thing with 30,000 cyclists in the ride. A path was clear and simple, I think, an excellent choice.
My lap Island My challenge this year was twofold. First I drove for the first time without my faithful apprentice. My son was another activity that has prevented him from participating this year. My second challenge was to impose on me to ride in the Tour with a bike with one speed coaster brake, the brake pedal famous! Mission accomplished but with a few more lessons. A bicycle equipped with single rear wheel brake application to be poorly lit and not awake because you have to make an appointment to brake. It is not instantaneous the trick! With eyes wide open, I noticed some things.
My Bike People are unconscious! There I am very polite, PCQ is not what I meant! Well it's not for everyone either, but there were many who rolled in does not care about other cyclists. The fact that the street be closed to cars gives a false sense of security and people drive by changing the "way" without looking, decided to stop in the middle of the road or instantly pass from one side of the street to another without realizing the enormous train rider behind, beside and in front of them. This is without counting the idiots who decide to do the slalom at high speed in the rolling mass. My advice to you is to always rode ahead, behind or directly at side of another rider. Do you ever placed at an angle, placing you in the dead of the person before you. Always, but always look beside you before you pack it. If you bring your child with you to make the Tour, called them to ride in a straight line and not zigzagging. I saw a person collapsing to the ground before me following a maneuver of the kind executed by a young cyclist.
Keep your ears open Volunteers on the course must sometimes give verbal guidance to cyclists in order to properly direct them, with you they speak. Listen carefully and follow the instructions.
Relays I have no information you provide on the relays. I avoid them like the plague! Too many people and I do not want to wait in line half an hour for a Cossin for free. On the subject by cons I have an opinion on the first relay of the 2007 Tour. The first relay was located down a slope and there were volunteers who indicated that "Under the baton keep left, keep right to continue". Small detail, there were only 3 meters to take this decision while everyone was moving at a brisk pace! I ask the organizers on behalf of Heaven indications place well in advance next time.
Prepare your bike and your legs in advance. It is important for you to repair and ride your bike a few weeks before the Tour. This will also help your legs. :) Do you not to add accessories or make major repairs on your bike the day before the Tour. Test your equipment well in advance. Bring with you the tubes, there is no guarantee that your mechanics will scale with them. By cons, he will gladly repair your flat tire.
The mechanics Volunteers Or rather bénévélos. Quite simply, without them no tour of the island. Congratulations to you all for a great job.
The Tour de l'Île de Montréal a fantastic event and very well-organized. You must attend at least once in your life. But remember, be careful and vigilant so that this day is an enjoyable experience from beginning to end. At the next
Gerald
The walls are lined with fiberglass mat, the Electricity is built, the floor is sanded 
Choosing your lock is also important. A padlock used to secure your bike for a few minutes will probably not matter to let the sight of all on the sidewalk overnight. A better system needed, the padlock to $ 20 in Canadian U kekchose will not matter at all. At the other extreme, there is the super indestructible chain lock for the modest sum of $ 200. Such protection can be purchased at lower prices, is how. Proceed at your favorite hardware store and get the chain 5 / 16 inches tested 4700lbs resistance. 1 meter should cost around $ 12. Then, get a lock of industrial quality as one in the picture, about $ 27. For less than $ 40, you have the equivalent of the super lock. You simply lack a cover of fabric or plastic to avoid damaging the finish of your bike and that, anyone can make one. The only downside to this super protection is its weight, 2kg. We can not have everything! The U-lock not too expensive with circular lock are very vulnerable to locksmith tools or just a pen! 
The quality of your lock is useless if you cross it to a fixture or removable soft. The trees are cut and posts signs can be debunked on the occasion. Choose your fixture with caution and make sure your bike is in full view of people. Place the lock lock your height so that the thief can not conceal his actions near the ground. Nobody questions that someone is squatting working on a padlock. The main strategy is to place more pitfalls to the thief that he should take more time to steal your bike or go to a victim less well protected. Thieves are always looking for easy prey, do not become the prey. At the next 
Having snatched the former limit we find a very nice beam ... 
In another part of the garden, there are roma tomatoes, marmande, cherry, white and green celery, fennel, squash, spaghetti squash, arugula, parsley, zucchini long and round, broccoli, peppers, cucumbers, eggplant, snap beans ... 
The small square of the lil square ;-) 
Some pictures of our new room, all is not well understood ended, we still need to install the new power grid throughout the house so we can finish the wall after making this work. The floors will be sanded and oiled. 
corner of the computer: 
Departure 
My Bike 
The mechanics 
