NAME: Kalkidan Assefa
OCCUPATION: Visual Artist
WHERE YOU HEADING: meet up with some friends in the market
WHAT ARE YOU RIDING: Fixie Frankenbike, built from an old 10 speed Peugeot frame… It has since been stolen!!
WHY DO YOU RIDE: Its fun, you see things you wouldn’t driving, and its good for you and the environment..why wouldnt you ride?
IF YOU COULD CHANGE ONE THING ABOUT BIKING IN OTTAWA WHAT WOULD IT BE: More sharing of the road would always be nice. Also A crackdown on bike thieves… I’ve had 2 bikes stolen and one vandalized which isnt cool.
WHAT ARE YOU WEARING:
- Shirt: Handmade gift from Chiang Mai, Thailand
- Shoes: paisley canvas sneakers from Winners
- Pants: Cheap Monday chinos
- Hat: Crooks & Castles 5-panel
- Glasses: Kenneth Cole
FAVOURITE SPOTS TO BIKE: Through busy downtown traffic! I love passing cars stuck in the commute. Its very liberating.
FAVOURITE PLACE TO STOP AFTER A RIDE: Bread and Sons, Art Is In Bakery…basically anywhere with baked goods!
FAVOURITE LOCAL VENUE: Pressed
FAVOURITE LOCAL COFFEE SHOP: Bread By Us
FAVOURITE LOCAL BEER: – I dont really drink much but I like Beau’s
FAVOURITE LOCAL SHOP: Wallack’s and Deserres because I’m always there buying art supplies. Kundstat Sports for bike and snowboard equipment.
NAME: Sharonya Sekhar
OCCUPATION: Policy Advisor, Canadian Red Cross
WHERE YOU HEADING: meet up with some friends in the market
WHAT ARE YOU RIDING: Trek Alpha 4700 MTB with city slick tires…Her name is Neelam!
WHY DO YOU RIDE: I love feeling the hot sun on my back and the feeling of flying!
IF YOU COULD CHANGE ONE THING ABOUT BIKING IN OTTAWA WHAT WOULD IT BE: Bigger bike lanes and more patient drivers!
WHAT ARE YOU WEARING: I also love travelling and like to collect different items when I do. I got my necklace at a local market in Mexico City, from a woman selling all kinds of beaded jewellery. I got my shoes from a really cool market in Johannesburg – it featured a lot of up and coming young South African designers using traditional fabrics in modern designs.
FAVOURITE SPOTS TO BIKE: I love biking on a nice path like along the river on the Quebec side where theres a nice boardwalk and views of the city…I also like Strathcona Park, the Parkway or in Gatineau Park.
FAVOURITE PLACE TO STOP AFTER A RIDE: Bread & Sons
FAVOURITE LOCAL VENUE: Ritual
FAVOURITE LOCAL COFFEE SHOP: Grounded
FAVOURITE LOCAL BEER: Kitchessipi
FAVOURITE LOCAL SHOP: Garden of Light on Laurier – sold the best incense but unfortunately after 17 years they have closed!
