Finally — sunshine and blue skies again. The type of weather that makes you want to hop on a bike and head down to the waterfront. PostCity.com talked to some of the top bikers in Hogtown to get the scoop on the best ways to avoid traffic and breeze your way down to the lake.
Bike Expert # 1: Paul Keodprom, Bikes on Wheels
Starting point: Bloor and Dufferin
Favourite Route # 1 – The Casual Route:
"Living at Bloor and Dufferin, I generally try to escape the mess of cars that are on Bloor and head quickly south to Harbord via Dovercourt. From there it’s Harbord to Shaw, then south towards Trinity Bellwoods. Cutting through Bellwoods is generally the order of the day, with a quick stop at the dogbowl, where there will, at any given moment, be at least 10 people I know. From there, a straight shot down the newly repaved Strachan takes me to Lake Shore and the calm of car free bike paths. (just watch out for the joggers, babies, and wanna-be Lance’s!)"
Favourite Route # 2 – The Coffee Trail:
"Start the same as route one, but this time stop at Harbord and Clinton at Sam James Coffee bar. Consume an espresso/macchiato. From there, backtrack to Ossington, head south to College and go west. At College and Gladstone, stop at Common, consume an Americano. From Common, continue west to Brock, head south to Queen. Turn right and stop at Blondie’s. Consume another espresso. You are now sufficiently prepared to head west to Jameson and then south across the footbridge to the Lake Shore path. From here you can explore all that the Martin Goodman trail has to offer, probably at a million miles an hour from all the caffeine you have consumed."
Bike Expert # 2: Yvonne Bambrick, Toronto Cyclists Union
Starting point: Dupont and St. George
Favourite Route:
"I would take the bike lane on St. George all the way down to Queen Street, then I would probably do a little jaunt over to Simcoe. From there, I’d take Simcoe south to the bike lane that starts on Front Street, then the bike lane south to Queens Quay. Along Lower Simcoe it’s excellent — there’s a bridge now around the railway that’s well lit, making it a great new waterfront connection. Once you’re down there, if you’re going to the Island, enjoy your car-free ride on the ferry!"
Bike Expert # 3: Kathleen Banville, Urbane Cyclist
Starting Point: St Clair and Russell Hill
Favourite Route:
"From St. Clair, I would ride down Russel Hill. It’s a few blocks west of Avenue Road and keeps you off that busy street. I would glide down Russell Hill and take a sharp right at Boulton Drive. There’s a fun curve and more downhill. Cyclists even get a bike lane on these roads. You meet Davenport Road at the bottom and then take it south until you hit Dupont. A quick right, then a left on St. George gets you on one of the most popular bike lanes in the city, and you can take that all the way down to Queen Street (It changes to Beverley Street at College). When you hit Queen take another right and a left onto Peter until Adelaide. Take Adelaide east to Simcoe and follow the NEW bike lanes south all the way to the waterfront. The road is new under the overpass so it feels safe and almost pleasant."
