Sometimes you need a change of scenery to clearly see what your heart is all about. For us, that change of scenery meant Canada. Community at its best, store checks, encounters, and the feeling of why we founded Bad & Bold over 13 years ago.
Montreal – a city with a big heart and a big throttle
First stop: Montreal. Thanks to Julie (host of The Moto Social Montreal ), we were immediately in the thick of things instead of just being there. She took us to the Idle Garage & Café – a meeting place that smells of oil, coffee, and ideas. At the Idle Meet, vintage, scrambler, and daily rider bikes were lined up next to each other, as if they'd never belonged anywhere else.
We were also particularly touched by Cyndi ( Chicks and Machines & Co-Owner Idle Garage & Café): a doer who breaks barriers, opens spaces, and shows how inclusive the motorcycle scene can be. It was precisely this spirit—authentic, open, without show—that blew us away.
Prince Edward County – Moto Craft Show: Crafts, Heart & Potential
Prince Edward County is nestled between vineyards, sand dunes, and country roads that practically invite you to linger in third gear. Our destination was the relatively new Moto Craft Show . The mix of custom bikes, vintage treasures (shoutout to the exhibits from the HAAS Museum ), and conversations certainly impressed us. But the festival still has potential for improvement. We'll see how it develops. Flying across the pond just for this isn't really worth it (yet).
We were really impressed and inspired by Sarah & Duarte from The Moto Social PEC . They practice hospitality as if it were a craft. We were allowed to stay in their wonderful villa and quickly realized that, despite being from different continents, we share the same attitudes. Motorcycling brings people together, no matter where in the world you live.
Hamilton & Toronto – History, Learnings and New Friends
We continued on to Hamilton and Toronto. In Hamilton, we visited the founders of The Moto Social , Sam and Victor—two dedicated hosts who plan to relocate to Mexico City soon (perhaps our next trip?) and whose energy turns every ride into a circle of friends.
In Toronto, hosts Cecilia and Darren guided us through their scene. Their garage was also important, of course, and more than lives up to The Moto Social Hosts' standards. We spent a very entertaining and intense time with all four of them – full of stories, laughter, and ideas.
Goosebumps were given at historic locations: the former Town Moto store (long one of our benchmarks for Bad & Bold) on Ossington Street, where a bakery now stands, the very first location of The Moto Social – and the realization that big movements often start small. All that matters is the right idea and a lot of passion.
A store that truly inspired us
The one store that truly impressed us was Simply Moto —housed in an old church in Grimsby. A beautifully curated selection, expert advice, and owners Karen and James are just as passionate about the community as they are about their products. That's exactly what a great motorcycle hangout feels like.
Why this trip means so much to us
Because it reminded us why you and we do all this. Because of people, machines, and moments that "move" you in the truest sense of the word.
We met friends we hadn't known before. We saw how The Moto Social shares the same core values around the world: openness, respect, and community. And we realized: When something is made with love, you feel it in the time you spend together.
Thank you Julie, Sarah, Duarte, Sam, Victor, Cecilia, and Darren—you seated us at your tables as if we had long been part of it. We arrived as strangers and left as friends. And yes—we sincerely hope you'll make it to RIDE - The Moto Festival in Ruhpolding at the end of July 2026.
