My s/o lives in Toronto and a couple of weekends a month, I come up to visit him. I generally take the Coach Canada bus (sometimes the Greyhound, but I try to use CC because they're schedules are ideal for me, and they are usually less packed).
However, using the Coach, I'm at the mercy of public transportation, which gets boring and annoying sometimes. Right now, I'm considering bringing my bike to use to get to his place which is about 10km from the Bay St. terminal, at Danforth and Main. I'm just thinking of the logistics of this plan, and if it's going to be a pain in the ass I may as well continue to use the TTC... though a bike would be nice when the weather's good and to be above surface and out of the crowds. I estimate it may be about 10-15 minute longer trip on a bike.
So a few questions if you can answer them:
1) Coach Canada says I need a bike bag or box. The only bags I've seen online require front wheel removal. Are there any that will bag the whole bike without having to disassemble it? Does anyone have experience transporting their bikes this way?
2) Is there an extra charge? I can't imagine there would be. I've seen people bring luggage that looks more than 40lbs.
3) My route will be mainly on the Danforth. Will it be less of a PITA or more to just use the TTC?
Thanks in advance for your help.
The BikeForums Team
-adv-
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You should ask CC about the charge and I have no clue about bike bags since I normally use boxes.
But, the ride to Main and Danforth should be a piece of cake. Just walk out of the terminal, go east a block and you will be at Bay St. Ride north to Bloor and then head east. There was some construction near Sherbourne but not sure if it is still there. If the weather is nice, it's an excellent ride. :)
Bdaisies
You should ask CC about the charge and I have no clue about bike bags since I normally use boxes.
But, the ride to Main and Danforth should be a piece of cake. Just walk out of the terminal, go east a block and you will be at Bay St. Ride north to Bloor and then head east. There was some construction near Sherbourne but not sure if it is still there. If the weather is nice, it's an excellent ride. :)
thanks. :) I am looking forward to the ride, but since I haven't biked in Toronto, I don't know what the roads and traffic are going to be like. I know I don't use the subway all that much, but it's just so depressing down there. Everyone's a zombie. There are like thousands of people down there every day and no one is happy.
Bdaisies
Hmmm. Another incentive for me to take my bike to TO this weekend. Apparently TTC will strike Monday morning unless they reach a deal by Sunday 4pm. Blah!
J T CUNNINGHAM
"and no one is happy." QUOTE.
I work right down town, and I am happy!
(It's just all of the other people that bother me.)
Regards,
J T
IronMac
thanks. :) I am looking forward to the ride, but since I haven't biked in Toronto, I don't know what the roads and traffic are going to be like.
The only time when any of the roads going east (and they're all arterial roads) will be relatively clear of traffic is when you're probably not going to be travelling to Toronto. The Bloor/Danforth route does have bits and pieces of a bike path but the greatest attraction is that it's probably the most interesting route in terms of people watching and neighbourhoods. :)
Boudicca
The problem with having to use a bike box (or bag) is what do you do with it when you arrive at the coach station? And how do you get your bike back in its box and then back to the coach. I don't know if there are any bike bags that fold up or squish down small enough that you can put them in a backpack or in a pannier and ride with them.
Have you thought about a folder?
Bdaisies
The problem with having to use a bike box (or bag) is what do you do with it when you arrive at the coach station? And how do you get your bike back in its box and then back to the coach. I don't know if there are any bike bags that fold up or squish down small enough that you can put them in a backpack or in a pannier and ride with them.
Have you thought about a folder?
I'd love a folding bike, honestly. But I wouldn't want to buy a cheap one, and the folding bikes I want are really not in the budget, unfortunately.
I found some "bike covers" on Amazon that I think I'd like to try out. Hopefully it should satisfy the bus driver. I think the idea is to be able to store my bike in the luggage compartment below without messing up anyone else's luggage.
Malistryx
I know my boyfriend has taken the CC bus with a bike on several occasions with no major issues, occasionally a driver gets grumbly about the lack of bag/box but none have ever pushed the issue. A few of us are planning a bus/bike trip this week so hopefully that holds true as well... I've been advised to just bring some garbage bags to cover my bike if need be, they're technically a bag and easily stowed or disposed of.
Bdaisies
Hmmm... garbage bags, I actually never thought of that. Let me know how it works out for you, Malistryx. :) Thanks for replying!