In 2025, a year before we opened Moto Reloaded at 508 Herald Street, we packed our bags and went looking for Canada's motorcycle community. Back then we were still running Bad & Bold, our motorcycle clothing shop in Bavaria, and for four years we had hosted The Moto Social in Munich — a relaxed bike night where riders of every kind simply show up, talk and look at each other's machines. We wanted to meet the people who do the same thing here.
This is the story of that trip, first published on our old German blog and rewritten for our new home on Vancouver Island.
Montreal: a city with a big heart
Julie, the host of The Moto Social Montreal, showed us her city. One of our first stops was Idle Garage & Café, where an “Idle Meet” brought together vintage bikes, scramblers and everyday commuters in one place. We also met Cyndi of Chicks and Machines, co-owner of Idle Garage & Café — someone who breaks down barriers and opens up spaces for other riders. Exactly the kind of person a scene needs.
Prince Edward County: the Moto Craft Show
In Prince Edward County we visited the Moto Craft Show, a young festival full of custom bikes, vintage pieces and long conversations. Sarah and Duarte, the hosts of The Moto Social PEC, put us up — and made us feel like we had known them for years.
Hamilton and Toronto: where it all started
In Hamilton we met Sam and Victor, the founders of The Moto Social. In Toronto, hosts Cecilia and Darren took us through the local scene and showed us their garage. We also stopped at two places with history: the first Moto Social location, and the former Town Moto store on Ossington Street — a bakery today.
Grimsby: a motorcycle store in a church
Our last stop was Simply Moto in Grimsby, run by Karen and James in a converted church. A carefully curated range, and a store that is clearly built around its community rather than just its shelves. We left with a lot of ideas.
What we brought back to Victoria
The trip confirmed what we had learned in Munich: a good motorcycle store is more than a place to buy gear. It is a place where riders meet. That is why our store at 508 Herald Street hosts its own events — Kickstand Talks and Sunday Fuel — and why we are planning to bring The Moto Social to Victoria in 2027.
To everyone who welcomed us along the way: thank you. If you are ever on the Island, the coffee is on us.
Trip in 2025. First published on badandbold.com.