Biking around Toronto
It's that time of the year when you should... no, you must get out to enjoy the summer. What better way to do so than to ride through the trails and paths of Toronto on a bike?
One of the most valuable tools to exploring the city on two wheels is the Toronto Bike Map, which is available free at any Toronto civic centre and also most bike shops. You can also call the city to request a copy of it. For a few cycling tips and an online copy of the map, you can visit the City of Toronto Cycling page.
I urge you in your travels to check out the Martin-Goodman Trail that stretches across the waterfront, view the gardens along the hilly Humber Trail, and wind your way through the scenic Don Valley Trail. Catching a trip on the ferry across to Toronto Island is also a good bet, but be sure to avoid it during the spring when the eastern cottonwood (poplar) trees litter the island with their characteristic white fluff. It's like riding your bike through a summer snowstorm :).
One of my favourite trails (which I rarely get to see) begins above Eglinton West station next to Allan Road, starts east and then curves to the south. It's a long dirt trail flanked by two almost never-ending rows of mature maples and oaks, eventually leading through one of the largest and most peaceful cemetaries in the city, and deep into the heart of Toronto. If the far end of the trail hadn't been closed this year, you'd be able to follow it right down to the lakefront, and then continue east back up the Don Valley River. However, it's also a good starting point to exploring the downtown routes that grace many of Toronto's tourist attractions.
For those wishing to take a long trip along these trails, I have a few words of advice:
One of the most valuable tools to exploring the city on two wheels is the Toronto Bike Map, which is available free at any Toronto civic centre and also most bike shops. You can also call the city to request a copy of it. For a few cycling tips and an online copy of the map, you can visit the City of Toronto Cycling page.
I urge you in your travels to check out the Martin-Goodman Trail that stretches across the waterfront, view the gardens along the hilly Humber Trail, and wind your way through the scenic Don Valley Trail. Catching a trip on the ferry across to Toronto Island is also a good bet, but be sure to avoid it during the spring when the eastern cottonwood (poplar) trees litter the island with their characteristic white fluff. It's like riding your bike through a summer snowstorm :).
One of my favourite trails (which I rarely get to see) begins above Eglinton West station next to Allan Road, starts east and then curves to the south. It's a long dirt trail flanked by two almost never-ending rows of mature maples and oaks, eventually leading through one of the largest and most peaceful cemetaries in the city, and deep into the heart of Toronto. If the far end of the trail hadn't been closed this year, you'd be able to follow it right down to the lakefront, and then continue east back up the Don Valley River. However, it's also a good starting point to exploring the downtown routes that grace many of Toronto's tourist attractions.
For those wishing to take a long trip along these trails, I have a few words of advice:
- Bring plenty of water and stay hydrated. The water fountains in any of Toronto's parks are, from my experience, damaged or unusable if they're not already broken.
- Bring a tire kit or a spare inner tube, and also the tools necessary to repair any leaks or tears. This includes an air pump.
- Wear loose clothing and bring sunscreen.
- Make sure you're fit enough to make it through the trails and back without killing yourself. There's nothing worse than getting downtown and being too exhausted to climb back up the tall hills to get home. If all else fails, bring enough for a TTC fare. You're allowed to take your bike on the buses, streetcars, or subways anytime outside of rush hour (7-10AM, 3-6PM if I recall correctly).
posted by Matt at 9:24 p.m.
3 Comments:
pfft... this blog...coming from someone who always claims to be too tired to go biking... =P
Not really. Some days are better for cycling than others, just like any activity.
no, all those days I suggested we go biking...it was sunny and nice.
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