Community Introductions

[joe]

Tell your fellow BikingToronto Community members about yourself. :)

Possible information you'd like to share:

- Your neighbourhood
- What type of bike you ride
- How long you've been biking Toronto
- What roads / neighbourhoods in Toronto love or hate to cycle
- Places you've never cycled, but want to.

As well as anything else you want to share! :)

[Todd Tyrtle]

Todd here. I am a 37 year old regulatory compliance consultant for the pharmaceutical industry. I have been cycling in Toronto for about a year now and before that the last time I was on a bike was 20 years beforehand. The first thing I did after moving to Toronto from the US in early '04 (fleeing the Bush admin) was to give away my car as I saw that I could live without it. However, I took one look at the traffic and resolved that I would never ride my bike in this city - it was too crazy. Three years later, after my son won a bike at his dentist's office, I bought one to hit the trails with him and not long after came across some tips on cycle commuting. A few trips out and I was hooked but had resolved that there was no way I would be crazy enough to cycle in the winter. It didn't take long for me to break that promise to myself either.

At this point I'm pretty much one of two people in the company who cycles as more than recreation. Being the 'strange bird' suits me, though, and on a couple occasions people have actually changed their habits seeing what could be done.

There are times where I travel that I have to go back to using a car but hopefully now that I have a relatively portable folding bike and bag (and considering buying a hard case for air travel) I expect I'll be able to easily take my transportation with me.

[dawn]

In Etobicoke, I need to cycle for functional reasons mostly ( also gives the legs a good workout) - grocery shopping, library, paying bills, etc.

I live in a 'desert' neighbourhood far from essential ammenities.....zone 5...ignorant city councillor who doesn't care about needs of tax paying citizens...I'm told I must have a car like everyone else...so I was more or less forced into cycling for survival.

I'll cycle down the Humber trails to lakeshore, along to Union station or even further to the beaches on an ambitious day. For long trips I find it's not so relaxing as I must cut the visit short to do the long trek home before it gets too dark.

I may have taken my bike on the subway once if ever. I don't remember doing that but am aware I can always pup out & take the subway. My bike is nice & light to carry up & down stairways.

I'll ride short trips in the dark - all lit up - lights blinking - even carry a small flashlight in hand - that's my headlight. Plan to duck tape it to my helmet one of these days. But the longer trips I get antsy being on non-lit trails in pitch black night.
Right now I need to tighten my brakes - can't do it alone. Bueller? Bueller? Anyone?
I stop to get air in bike stores or the Canadian tire garage or the motorcycle store.....cool.....the big bikers get a kick out of my little wheels.....learned the hard way that those little air pumps are useless.

i transition on sidewalks when it's my life on the line.....when I'm crossing a big thoroughfare or underpass...
In the industrial areas around Sherway Gardens Mall - along the East Mall I have to take the sidewalks - the big transports & the glass......are just too dangerous to ride beside.
Safe riding,
dawn

[Dennis]

I live a little above Bloor but not as far as Dupont. At this time I'm riding a friends Kona "Dr Dew" and my Kona "Ute". I've been riding around Toronto for about 6 years give or take a few months. I enjoy riding all of Toronto that I visit. I've never ridden on the moon but I'd like to

[Jay Morrison]

Hey all ... i'm Jay.

I live in East York - near Coxwell and Danforth.

I ride a K2 mountain bike with a decent frame and crappy components. I'm slowly replacing all of the crappy components which will probably end up costing me more than buying a whole new bike, but for some reason I have grown kind of attached to the bike I just bought about a year ago. In the winter, I ride a Raleigh mountain bike that I bought in 1990. It is indestructible. I have only owned two bikes in the last 18 years.

I have been a serious bike-commuter for about two years now. Prior to that it was occasional, and never in winter. I'm hooked and will never go back to taking the TTC.

I love going down the Greenwood hill from Danforth to Dundas. 50km/h guaranteed. On weekends, I love riding the trails in the Don either alone or with my two sons. I spent the better part of my childhood riding bikes through Taylor Creek up to Edwards Gardens and still love riding down there. My commute takes me down Sherbourne from Bloor to Shuter. The road is rough and the scenery is rougher. The city really needs to improve the conditions of existing bike lanes. So many of them are neglected.

I recently took my bike out to Niagara and explored the paths through Port Dalhousie and St. Catherines. I want to do more of that. They have a beautiful system out there.

I would also like to ride east from Toronto and explore that part of the province, along the lakefront.

[chris]

Hey friends!

I'm Chris and live in south Etobicoke.

I've always been a cyclist, but in the last few years I've developed a serious addiction to road cycling - just got a new Specialized Tarmac. My wife and I ride the Waterfront trail regularly on our hybrids, while my time in the saddle on the Tarmac is reserved for more serious rides.

Tonight I'm leaving for France to follow Le Tour, and ride as many of the stages as possible. That has long been a dream of mine and over the next 10 days it will come true.

I can't commute on my bike as I drive far too much during the day visiting clients and suppliers.

[Graham Watson]

Hi, I'm Graham, live near Dufferin and College, piloting a concorde road bike. Have lived in and been riding in Toronto almost all my life. Love the islands, both east and west lakeshore paths.
Love, peace and bike grease!