Uploaded January 2025 | Updated September 2026, 18 minutes ago
Fred Chagnon is a Randonneur (long-distance cycling sport) and avid cyclist in London, Ontario, Canada. I wanted to chat with him because he's also an avid listener of this podcast, but also “technically” not part of my target demographic – he's a MAMIL (Middle Aged Man In Lycra).
But even though he's a capable and confident cyclist who WANTS to be a utility cyclist, he still finds that there are so many barriers, even for him.
Grocery store runs and restaurant visits? Those are fairly difficult because he doesn't want to leave his bike outside, locked to a dinky little locking post.
As for danger, as a Dad of two sons, he's not one to put himself in unnecessary danger. So, as we hear in this episode, he will drive instead of ride for errands and other outings when cycling infrastructure that is lacking so much that it puts him in mortal danger.
We go over a lot more, too!
Get early access to videos and exclusive behind-the-scenes content access to our extensive brainstorming sessions, full interviews, and video commentaries over at patreon.com/bendurham
Do you have an insider tip or unique information on a story? Do you have a suggestion for a story you want me to cover? Submit via email: bendurhamproductions@gmail.com
• where to find me •
Instagram: instagram.com/bendurham.ca
Tiktok: tiktok.com/@bendurham.ca
Facebook: facebook.com/BenDurham.ca
Website: bendurham.ca
================
SUBSCRIBE to and RATE Wheels and Beyond on:
» Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/2XgnlWWDihE1WFvEEC1868
» Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/wheels-and-beyond/id1761207261
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⌚ CHAPTERS ⌚
00:00 Intro / Randonneuring / Levels of Traffic Stress
11:45 concerns with utility cycling / bike parking
24:00 decision-making and planning / bicycle network
34:00 biking to school / normalizing biking
42:30 Hamilton Road / ghost bikes
47:30 commuting from Byron / theft prevention
01:02:00 driving is stressful / cycling reduces stress
Fred Chagnon is a Randonneur (long-distance cycling sport) and avid cyclist in London, Ontario, Canada. I wanted to chat with him because he's also an avid listener of this podcast, but also “technically” not part of my target demographic – he's a MAMIL (Middle Aged Man In Lycra).
But even though he's a capable and confident cyclist who WANTS to be a utility cyclist, he still finds that there are so many barriers, even for him.
Grocery store runs and restaurant visits? Those are fairly difficult because he doesn't want to leave his bike outside, locked to a dinky little locking post.
As for danger, as a Dad of two sons, he's not one to put himself in unnecessary danger. So, as we hear in this episode, he will drive instead of ride for errands and other outings when cycling infrastructure that is lacking so much that it puts him in mortal danger.
We go over a lot more, too!
Get early access to videos and exclusive behind-the-scenes content access to our extensive brainstorming sessions, full interviews, and video commentaries over at patreon.com/bendurham
Do you have an insider tip or unique information on a story? Do you have a suggestion for a story you want me to cover? Submit via email: bendurhamproductions@gmail.com
• where to find me •
Instagram: instagram.com/bendurham.ca
Tiktok: tiktok.com/@bendurham.ca
Facebook: facebook.com/BenDurham.ca
Website: bendurham.ca
================
SUBSCRIBE to and RATE Wheels and Beyond on:
» Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/2XgnlWWDihE1WFvEEC1868
» Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/wheels-and-beyond/id1761207261
================
⌚ CHAPTERS ⌚
00:00 Intro / Randonneuring / Levels of Traffic Stress
11:45 concerns with utility cycling / bike parking
24:00 decision-making and planning / bicycle network
34:00 biking to school / normalizing biking
42:30 Hamilton Road / ghost bikes
47:30 commuting from Byron / theft prevention
01:02:00 driving is stressful / cycling reduces stress
