Author: gregandrebarrett

I’m married to a wonderful woman, blessed with two bright daughters, retired from a rewarding IT career, who loves cycling (especially bikepacking adventures), being a cycling and refugee advocate (bikeswithoutborders.org, martinluther.ca), and exploring the world and its peoples. I'm also a member of Cyclepath Oakville Race Team.

Specialized Recon 3 Mountain Bike Shoes deliver comfort, efficiency and durability

After completing a 3,600 km bikepacking trip I can report that my new Specialized Recon 3.0 mountain bike shoes deliver comfort, efficiency and durability. For the last many years, I have been experiencing severe foot pain on long 24-hour bike races and bikepacking trips, with shoes from Shimano, Giro and Bontrager. Thankfully with the Recon … Continue reading Specialized Recon 3 Mountain Bike Shoes deliver comfort, efficiency and durability →

Silca Synergetic wet lube

I think Silca Synergetic Wet Lube is the best chain lube for long distance cycling. On my latest 3,600 km bikepacking trip (on 68% gravel/dirt roads and trails) I used about less than a third of a two-ounce bottle. Every two to three days I would give my chain a quick cleaning rub with a … Continue reading Silca Synergetic wet lube →

My 2022 Bikes Without Borders fundraising ONXL bikepacking trip of 3,621 kms

To help the amazing charity https://bikeswithoutborders.org/ empower marginalized people with free refurbished bicycles please consider donating at my fundraising page: https://www.canadahelps.org/en/pages/bikepack-ontario-epic-4000km-fundraising-ride-for-/   Thanks so much to those that have donated I have raised about $2,111 of my $2,500 goal (as of 2022-12-11). My fundraising continues even though I’ve completed my ONXL bikepacking trip (from 2022-09-08 to … Continue reading My 2022 Bikes Without Borders fundraising ONXL bikepacking trip of 3,621 kms →

2022 My ONXL bikepacking trip video

I completed my ONXL bikepacking trip (from 2022-09-08 to 2022-10-06) through southern Ontario and eastern Quebec, riding 3,621 kms with 28,248 metres of climbing, in 26 days plus 3 recovery days, on 32% paved and 68% unpaved roads and trails.  Here’s a “Relive” video (birds-eye view of my tracked ride with photos and text) of … Continue reading 2022 My ONXL bikepacking trip video →

20221006 ONXL Day 29 from Lindsay (Linda’s) to Toronto and home!

20221006 ONXL Day 29. From Lindsay (Linda's) to Toronto and home! Today 150k for 3,621k total in 25 days of riding and 3 days of rest and recovery. Today I enjoyed the Durham Forest trails, the Waterfront Trails, and even Bloor Street's bike lanes where I had two close calls with pedestrians stepping into the … Continue reading 20221006 ONXL Day 29 from Lindsay (Linda’s) to Toronto and home! →

20221005 ONXL Day 28 Tweed to Lindsay

20221005 ONXL Day 28. Today 143k for 3,471k total. From Tweed (Park Place Motel) to Lindsay (Linda's). For breakfast had sushi rolls, yogurt, Today mostly on the Trans Canada Trail. From Tweed to Campbellford the surface can be covered in large rock and is used primarily by ATVs (I saw no other cyclists). Near Hasting … Continue reading 20221005 ONXL Day 28 Tweed to Lindsay →

Please donate to my ONXL ride for Bikes Without Borders

In two days I will complete my ~3,600k ONXL bikepacking trip and fundraiser for Bikes Without Borders. Please make a charitable receipted donation at my page  https://www.canadahelps.org/en/pages/bikepack-ontario-epic-4000km-fundraising-ride-for-/ to help https://bikeswithoutborders.org/ empower marginalized people with free refurbished bicycles. Please share this request.  Thanks! Greg.  An image of my ONXL route is attached below and my daily … Continue reading Please donate to my ONXL ride for Bikes Without Borders →

20221004 ONXL Day 27 Carleton Place to Tweed.

20221004 ONXL Day 27. Today 139k for 3,328k. From Carleton Place (Ricky & Margret's) to Tweed (Park Place Motel). Ricky drove me from Ottawa to Carleton Place as I had already ridden this section. Today was mostly on the Trans Canada Trail (TCT), which was in reasonably good shape for riding with only short sections … Continue reading 20221004 ONXL Day 27 Carleton Place to Tweed. →

20221003 ONXL Day 26

20221003 ONXL Day 26. Today 109k for 3,189k. On the Log Driver's Waltz from Wakefield (Auberge de Mon Petit Chum B&B) to Ottawa (great friends Ricky and Margret). Today included 1,626m of extremely tough climbing almost entirely on the amazing trails in Gatineau park. My legs were burnt toast when I finished for the day. … Continue reading 20221003 ONXL Day 26 →

20221002 ONXL Day 25

Today 108k for 3,080k. On the Log Driver's Waltz from Gracefield (Carpe Diem's store floor) to Wakefield (Auberge de Mon Petit Chum B&B). Another relatively short enjoyable day. Still lots of hard climbs up to 18%. This is a ski and downhill biking area. The Log Driver's Waltz route teases you with a little flat … Continue reading 20221002 ONXL Day 25 →