PROJECT
PARTICIPANTS
Anthony
FZ6R - Street Fighter
How long have you been riding? 5 Years
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How did you get into riding? Growing up living in downtown Toronto, I use to always see groups of bikes riding along Lakeshore and told myself when I get older I would get myself a bike. As the years went by and got older, I was finally able to purchase my first bike. I have never turned back since.
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When you ride, are you a lone wolf or do you prefer traveling in packs?A bit of both depending on the entourage.
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Why do you love riding? Riding helps with clearing my mind of all the stresses and obstacles the world puts all of us through. When I'm riding I put on my favourite playlist and the only thing that goes though my mind is to live in the moment and embracing the beautiful sights of nature all around. This truly brings me happiness when I'm on two wheels.
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What does your participation in Project Team Building mean to you? I hope to become a friend not only for the members of PTB but for anyone that ever needs to vent their thoughts and feels. The world is filled with barriers and challenges that sometimes are very hard for to overcome alone.
Dream Bike: ​BMW K100 - Café Racer
John
Harley 48 Sportster
How long have you been riding? 3 Years
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How did you get into riding? A friend in high school had a Suzuki Marauder and used to give me a spin home after school. That was the bike that made me fall in love with riding but I didn't buy my own bike until 3 years ago.
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When you ride, are you a lone wolf or do you prefer traveling in packs? So far I have only been riding as a lone wolf, mainly because I don't know many people in the city that ride. I'm sure that will change this year as I know group rides are coming back and I have also made friends from Project Team Building that I will ride with.
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Why do you love riding? It provides an escape from the normal routine and gives a much more real experience than driving in the bubble, that is a car. You feel the road and the elements much more when riding than you do when traveling in a car or a truck.
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What does your participation in Project Team Building mean to you? A chance to meet like-minded people and make new connections in the city. I'm not originally from Toronto so the project has been great to get me out of my comfort zone and make new friends. The project has also helped grow my confidence with working on motorbikes and given me ideas about how I can tackle some of the modifications I want to apply to my Harley.
Dream Bike: ​Indian Scout by Tank Machine
First Bike: ​Harley 48 Sportster
Matt
KTM 690 Enduro
How long have you been riding? 5 Years
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How did you get into riding? Growing up, a few of my friends had dirt bikes and I always wanted to ride theirs when we hung out. The best gift ever was when my parents gave me my first bike! Always loved it and knew I would get my street license one day.
When you ride, are you a lone wolf or do you prefer traveling in packs? Lone wolf for sure. I love moto camping and exploring back roads. I like the freedom to go down any trail at any time and make up my own routes.
Why do you love riding? Riding for me is an amazing escape. It's a zone where you don't think about anything else, just soaking up the outdoors.
What does your participation in Project Team Building mean to you? Project Team Building has been a great way for me to meet some pretty rad dudes. I joined wanting to meet like-minded people, learn about ways to deal with different stresses, and get outside my comfort zone. I look forward to our zoom calls and shop times to make connections and be a part of such a cool project bike.
Dream Bike: ​Im pretty sure it's the KTM in my garage :)
First Bike: ​Yamaha TTR 125
Calvin
2006 Ducati Monster S2R800
How long have you been riding? 6 Years
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How did you get into riding? I did the motorcycle safety course in my 20s, but never bought a bike - which is probably a good thing. I was going to get a crotch rocket at the time. Almost 10 years later, on a trip to Indonesia, I had the chance to ride scooters everywhere. Being on two wheels again reminded me of the feeling that was unmistakable. When I returned to Canada, I did the motorcycle course in the fall and then bought a 1974 Honda CB550 Cafe bike in the spring, and the rest is history.
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When you ride, are you a lone wolf or do you prefer traveling in packs? I do a bit of both. I ride alone on my daily commute but often ride with a small group of friends on my weekend rides. I've done a bit of moto-camping as far as Algonquin Park but haven't done long moto-road trips (yet).
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Why do you love riding? Those that ride know there is no feeling comparable to being on two wheels, with nothing but you and your mind focused on the road. A motorcycle instructor once told me if you want to imagine what the feeling is like, look at a dog in a moving car with its head out of the window and its tongue hanging out. There is always more to learn, and more ways to improve. I recently did a track course (which I highly recommend), and that has opened up a whole new realm of riding to me.
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What does your participation in Project Team Building mean to you? When I first signed up for PTB, I wasn't quite sure what I was getting into. Building a motorcycle with like-minded people? Why not? It turns out, it's much more difficult doing it remotely. I think positive mental health is important and any way that I can support the cause I'm in.
Dream Bike: ​Ducati Panigale V4 Superleggera Unica
Nitin
Honda CRF300L
How long have you been riding? 29 Years
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How did you get into riding? Not sure, just sort of happened. I've always wanted to ride motorcycles since I could remember.
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When you ride, are you a lone wolf or do you prefer traveling in packs? Either way is fine. Not too picky about it.
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Why do you love riding? It's life; like breathing to me.
What does your participation in Project Team Building mean to you? It's an opportunity to work with bikers and builders from Toronto and most importantly, make friends and memories.
Dream Bike: ​Yamaha Tenere
First Bike: ​Hero Punch
Ryan
FZ6R Streetfighter
How long have you been riding? 5 Years
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How did you get into riding? Mid life awakening.
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When you ride, are you a lone wolf or do you prefer traveling in packs? Lone Wolf seeking those who can keep up.
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Why do you love riding? Peace and Peace with a shot of adrenaline.
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What does your participation in Project Team Building mean to you? It is a great honour to be apart of the first ever Project Team Building
Dream Bike: Hayabusa Gen 1
First Bike: ​250 Hyosung GT Streetfighter
Stefan
Harley XG500
How long have you been riding? 3 Years
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How did you get into riding? It was something I just knew I needed to do. I had grown up being absolutely fascinated by bikes despite the ever-constant reminders from the family that "those things are dangerous."
When you ride, are you a lone wolf or do you prefer traveling in packs? A bit of a lone wolf off exploring, getting lost, or coddiwompling, but I do love a good group ride.
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Why do you love riding? Riding is my escape, it gives me the right blend of adventure, risk, and meditation. When I'm riding it's just me, the bike, and the road. The hyper-awareness of what's going on around you and that focus it creates helps clear my mind and sometimes acts as a reset. It also helps encourage me to get out and discover more of what Ontario and one day I hope the rest of Canada has to offer. The number of amazing things that you can miss while driving a car but find on two wheels is practically immeasurable.
What does your participation in Project Team Building mean to you? PTB has meant a lot over the time I've been here. Inadvertently my social circles have always been small and in my own family I'm a bit of an outlier. I'm one of maybe three motorcyclists in my extended family and the only motorcyclist in my immediate friend group. PTB has given me a chance to meet other people, build what I hope will be lasting connections not just through building our project bike, but also in the building of community through shared experiences. It can be very easy to feel alone until you start talking with other people and realize that your own experiences aren't necessarily unique. In addition to this it's widened my knowledge on the care and maintenance of my motorcycle and again given me the benefit of people I can ask when I'm coming across a problem.
Dream Bike: ​Harley Police model Electra Glide 🤤... Amongst a few others
First Bike: ​Hyosung GV250
