Rides and Races - Toronto Fixed

Where do you get yebisu?

i'm pretty sure yebisu is not exported. the only stuff we get is kirin draft, asahi super dry (good stuff) and sapporo draft. all the seasonal beers and premium brands they keep for themselves. selfish bastards... someone please prove me wrong so i can pick up a 6pack :D

almost bought a single serving bodum on my lunch break but decided that was a bit much. i'll had to settle for tea this afternoon...

we've go the industrial sized coffee machine thing going on. although we're at yonge/bloor so decent enough shops (chains anyway) in the vicinity. still like making my own though...

I'm right around the corner then.. I'm at Bay & Davenport.

gah.. clipped a ped (just typed "pdf".. I need a vacation) on the way home on Yorkville. She ran out between two cars waiting at the lights at Avenue Rd. and then did the "trapped in headlights" dance in the last instant and faked me out. She's super lucky I didn't totally square her. I basically shouldered her out of the way.. I yell "watch where you're going" and she snottily responds "watch where YOU'RE going". Good one! ugh.

Then some dink in a BMW does a u-turn right in the middle of Avenue and roadblocks me and I have to resort to emergency braking procedures so as to not get sandwiched. Never even got so much as a glance my way.

I was obviously totally farking invisible today.

[QUOTE=somnambulant]gah.. clipped a ped (just typed "pdf".. I need a vacation) on the way home on Yorkville. She ran out between two cars waiting at the lights at Avenue Rd. and then did the "trapped in headlights" dance in the last instant and faked me out. She's super lucky I didn't totally square her. I basically shouldered her out of the way.. I yell "watch where you're going" and she snottily responds "watch where YOU'RE going". Good one! ugh.QUOTE]

Next time just put your elbow up and lay whoever it is flat out. It works. :)

ditto.... have considered wearing my downhill armour before....

I've arrived at work wearing someone else's starbucks all over my jacket and pants more than once now.

gah.. clipped a ped (just typed "pdf".. I need a vacation) on the way home on Yorkville. She ran out between two cars waiting at the lights at Avenue Rd. and then did the "trapped in headlights" dance in the last instant and faked me out. She's super lucky I didn't totally square her. I basically shouldered her out of the way.. I yell "watch where you're going" and she snottily responds "watch where YOU'RE going". Good one! ugh.

So was she a hotty?

nope.. some ugly business grunt. at least that's what I think I saw. at that point the stupidity factor would have greatly outweighed the looks of about all but perhaps 5 people that immediately come to mind. :P

like your girlfriend

well, it IS valentines day. wait.. what am I doing on here on valentines day? :P

I guess this is what happens after many years.. :)

thats awful.
anyways, I have a nice search warrent for a decent saddle be it a brooks, fizik arione, selle SLR or the works that they can hook me up with? :)
I desperately need to finish up my GT build and stop procrastinating.

gah.. clipped a ped (just typed "pdf".. I need a vacation) on the way home on Yorkville. She ran out between two cars waiting at the lights at Avenue Rd. and then did the "trapped in headlights" dance in the last instant and faked me out.

i've done that. last summer i plowed into a guy trying to j walk across the danforth during rush hour. i slowed down but i still totally levelled him and managed to stay upright in a trackstand (in my boastful telling for the story anyway) while his buddy tries to start something all tough-guy style. by the time he was finished flexing his muscles i was far enough to look over my shoulder to see him help his friend up off the road. idiots.
i always feel kind of bad for scaring peds (maybe not the beautiful people in yorkville) but frankly they should keep their heads up and be thankfull i wasn't driving a car...

I'm right around the corner then.. I'm at Bay & Davenport.

nice. where do you work? let me know if you're ever up for a lunch hour ride. anyone else work in the area?

thats awful.
anyways, I have a nice search warrent for a decent saddle be it a brooks, fizik arione, selle SLR or the works that they can hook me up with? :)
I desperately need to finish up my GT build and stop procrastinating.

I have an older, but in great shape, Brooks B15. You can have it for $30.

i'm pretty sure yebisu is not exported. the only stuff we get is kirin draft, asahi super dry (good stuff) and sapporo draft. all the seasonal beers and premium brands they keep for themselves. selfish bastards... someone please prove me wrong so i can pick up a 6pack :D

Dude... I'm surprised the beer is something you miss from Japan... admittedly, I've developed a soft spot for super dry, but overall I would take canadian beer over japanese in a second. Don't know if you get it in TO, but the most delicious beer I've had is KLB raspberry wheat (they're a kitchener microbrew, I believe) although, it does taste like raspberry, so I don't know if that makes me less of a man, or something.

Odd I was given a Belgium Raspberry beer just yesterday....not bad at all.

Dude... I'm surprised the beer is something you miss from Japan... admittedly, I've developed a soft spot for super dry, but overall I would take canadian beer over japanese in a second. Don't know if you get it in TO, but the most delicious beer I've had is KLB raspberry wheat (they're a kitchener microbrew, I believe) although, it does taste like raspberry, so I don't know if that makes me less of a man, or something.

not dissin' canadian beer at all, but you can never get enough variety.

Thanks a bunch C-mech.
Just wonderin' what time your open on Sat.

I am invisible every day that I ride.....at least that is how it seems as NOBODY looks and they don't cross the street until I am right in front of them :)

Riding a bike in Toronto has made me a better pedestrian and a better driver too.....I look 10 different ways before I do anything in the street.

Thanks a bunch C-mech.
Just wonderin' what time your open on Sat.
Not open on Saturday's until March......winter type hours. Plus the Ice Race is on Saturday. I will be getting pre-lubricated before the shiverry 3 hour spectacle.

Not open on Saturday's until March......winter type hours. Plus the Ice Race is on Saturday. I will be getting pre-lubricated before the shiverry 3 hour spectacle.

is that the ice races at dufferin grove park? i've never been down to watch, always meant to. how is the fixie contingent?

Ice race this Sat?

Yeah, is anyone else going to the ice race? I'd like to check it out. I only live a couple streets away anyhow. If anyone wants to meet up for a beer before or after I'd be into that.

cavernmech: what time does it start?

nice. where do you work? let me know if you're ever up for a lunch hour ride. anyone else work in the area?

I work at a place that does conferences for people in the legal/medical/energy industries. Our office is in that condo tower right at the corner of Bay and Davenport. And yeah, I'd totally be up for some lunch time rides, especially once the weather improves. As long as it isn't anything too schweaty.. :D

I work at a place that does conferences for people in the legal/medical/energy industries. Our office is in that condo tower right at the corner of Bay and Davenport. And yeah, I'd totally be up for some lunch time rides, especially once the weather improves. As long as it isn't anything too schweaty.. :D

no, i'm not into lung-busting rides at lunch. today i rode down to queen street then into chinatown for some buns to snack on, for example.

I can hit the gym here at work during the day.... I'm looking at starting to train for some long distance riding, and a bit more leg mass for the explosive jumps. I got showers...wooohoooo

I am invisible every day that I ride.....at least that is how it seems as NOBODY looks and they don't cross the street until I am right in front of them :)

Riding a bike in Toronto has made me a better pedestrian and a better driver too.....I look 10 different ways before I do anything in the street.

damned straight Jet.... from my days messin' twenty years ago I've always ridden from the concept I am invisible. Whenever someone gets too damned close I always get that sheepish shrug of the shoulders and 'I'm sorry I didn't see you'.... What if I said that after I wiped them off the road with a 40km/hr elbow to the noodle?

I am invisible every day that I ride.....at least that is how it seems as NOBODY looks and they don't cross the street until I am right in front of them :)

Riding a bike in Toronto has made me a better pedestrian and a better driver too.....I look 10 different ways before I do anything in the street.

damned straight Jet.... from my days messin' twenty years ago I've always ridden from the concept I am invisible. Whenever someone gets too damned close I always get that sheepish shrug of the shoulders and 'I'm sorry I didn't see you'.... What if I said that after I wiped them off the road with a 40km/hr elbow to the noodle? Drivers are just as bad but you can't really elbow a car, you gotta stop and drag the driver out before you can elbow him in the noodle.....jk'ing I never drag them out. :D

I AM INVISIBLE!!!!

Ice race this Sat?

a bit of info here:
http://www.dufferinpark.ca/home/dufferinpark.html

weather's looking good too: -7C with flurries according to the weathernetwork.

6-9pm cool....... sounds like a reason to twist a couple up and see who shows....
I won't be racin' though

cavernmech: what time does it start?

Registration at 5 P.M. Racing starts at 5:30 sharp. We have to be done by 8:45 or the local "community representatives" aka folks with nuthin better to do, get all crazy.

As for fixies last years event saw 1st and 3rd go to fixed riders.

anyone got a last lap cow bell?

Oh....I forgot to mention also.....typically the 3 boxes on the rink turn into impromtu boozing areas. Just be sure to bring yer plastic cup to hold your "apple juice".

Well that answers that question. You think well cavernmech....lol

Oh....I forgot to mention also.....typically the 3 boxes on the rink turn into impromtu boozing areas. Just be sure to bring yer plastic cup to hold your "apple juice".

hey oh wise one, will there be different heats for studded/non-studded tires? or is it every man for him/herself?

there's a separate race for non-studded apparently

But who will admit to NOT being a stud though?
I'm a husband so I suppose I don't count anymore.

Ice race looks cool. I'm going to have to check that out.

Are we ALL watching? lol

But who will admit to NOT being a stud though?
I'm a husband so I suppose I don't count anymore.

Yeah, I've decided to totally let myself go.. :P

Just got some more beer.. picked up 6 Oatmeal Stout, and decided to try something new..

http://www.unibroue.com/products/raftman.cfm

having one now.. pretty good stuff! My last few experiments weren't that great, so I'm happy. :)

I have to be really careful with Unibroue. I had a Maudite and almost went anaphylactic. Way too much malt for me, sort of like the trappist ales.

Unfortunately I'll likely miss the ice races. I have a women's soccer pub night to go to.

Ice race looks cool. I'm going to have to check that out.
I’m going to try to make it out baring any crazy weather.

i'm pretty sure yebisu is not exported. the only stuff we get is kirin draft, asahi super dry (good stuff) and sapporo draft. all the seasonal beers and premium brands they keep for themselves. selfish bastards... someone please prove me wrong so i can pick up a 6pack :D

unfortunately, i do not think so... :(


Sapporo Beer of Japan Cuts Exports to Increase Sales of Canadian-made Products
Japan's Sapporo Beer is no longer exporting its Yebisu beer to North America as the company plans to focus sales efforts in North America on Sapporo brands made at Sleeman Brewing Ltd of Guelph, Ontario. Brands brewed at Sleeman will be promoted instead as the products are fresher and cost 10% less to deliver. Sopporo began making beer at Sleeman Breweries last January.
Information summarized from: Nikkei Sangyo Shimbun (Japan)

...and this does not bode well either... :mad:


SAPPORO DRAFT
LCBO 300756 | 650 mL can
PRODUCT DISCONTINUED*

Price: $ 3.20
Beer, Non. U.S. Beer, Regular Brewery
5.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Sugar Content : 3

Made in: Japan, Japan
By: SAPPORO BREWERIES


Tasting Note
Golden colour; delicate dried grass/herbal aroma; lively effervescence; balanced with clean bitter hoppy finish.

Serving Suggestion
Lightly spiced finger foods or sushi


NOTE: Prices subject to change without notice. All products may not be available in all stores. Call or see your local Store Manager for details.

*This product has been discontinued. Limited quantities are available for purchase in select stores only and cannot be transferred to other locations.

fortunately, there are still kirin beers (ichiban & classic) at the beerstore. :D

senbot> what brings you to japan? how long are you here for? i am over in wakayama (southeast of osaka).



Dude... I'm surprised the beer is something you miss from Japan... admittedly, I've developed a soft spot for super dry, but overall I would take canadian beer over japanese in a second. Don't know if you get it in TO, but the most delicious beer I've had is KLB raspberry wheat (they're a kitchener microbrew, I believe) although, it does taste like raspberry, so I don't know if that makes me less of a man, or something.

i find the larger japanese brewers (i.e., the mass-produced ones) much better than any of the canadian counterparts (e.g., molson, labatt, etc.); as a mass-produced beer, yebisu (malt and black) is very good, along with others, including any of the variety of kirin, sapporo or asahi beers. i would take any of them over a molson canadian (or similar brew) any day! indeed, there are some tasty japanese seasonal brews, too.

regarding smaller breweries, japan also has quite a variety of microbrews that are totemo oishii and rival canadian ones! of course, i think there are a larger variety of quality canadian microbrews, but this is because of the greater popularity of beer historically. unfortunately, the greater popularity of beer in canada also means that you get swill like kokanee wildcat...blegh! just look at the "top 10" beers at the beerstore:


COORS LIGHT
CANADIAN
BLUE
BUDWEISER
CARLING LAGER
LUCKY LAGER
KEITH'S ALE
BLUE LIGHT
LAKEPORT HONEY LAGER
EXPORT

That's why we export Molson Golden.... chemical warfare?

ugh.. I should have slushed it out this morning. I wussed out and took the subway. It took me over an hour to get to work, and it takes me <15min by bike.

fixedude... I'm on JET... How about you? I'm getting some experience before going to teacher's college, hopefully at u of t. at which point I will be able to ride the khs flite 100 I have stored at my parents' house... Have you checked out any keirin while you're here? I just found out that there's a keirin track in town here, and i'm planning on checking it out soon... just haven't really had a chance since I found out about it.

For some reason japanese beers remind me of beer that is on the way back out... they're more bitter? maybe? Although it's mostly draught that I'm thinking of, I guess. Bottled and can beer here isn't bad... definitely if you compare it to blue, and you avoid happoshu/fake beer. Although if you have any recommendations for any particular J-microbrew beers, I'd be into hearing.

And I definitely agree with cavit8 about maudite. It was definitely the worst beer ever. if you hold it up to light, you can't even see through it.

sorry for the lack of toronto based content...

as soon as I hit queen it was a rainy slushy ride but no biggie, I thought it would be worse.

fixedude... I'm on JET... How about you? I'm getting some experience before going to teacher's college, hopefully at u of t. at which point I will be able to ride the khs flite 100 I have stored at my parents' house... Have you checked out any keirin while you're here? I just found out that there's a keirin track in town here, and i'm planning on checking it out soon... just haven't really had a chance since I found out about it.

For some reason japanese beers remind me of beer that is on the way back out... they're more bitter? maybe? Although it's mostly draught that I'm thinking of, I guess. Bottled and can beer here isn't bad... definitely if you compare it to blue, and you avoid happoshu/fake beer. Although if you have any recommendations for any particular J-microbrew beers, I'd be into hearing.

And I definitely agree with cavit8 about maudite. It was definitely the worst beer ever. if you hold it up to light, you can't even see through it.

sorry for the lack of toronto based content...

i am also here on JET...going in to 3rd year. teaching experience, eh? (you are definitely working too hard then... ;) my first class tomorrow is at 11:30AM and my second--and last!--class ends at 2:30PM...and that is with my 1hr lunch.). i have not checked out any keirin yet, though there is a race next month at one of the prefectural tracks <www.keirinwa.com> i might be checking out. i take it your track is <www.takamatsu-keirin.com/index.html> with chitaka-chan as your mascot.
http://www.takamatsu-keirin.com/infomation/image/ayumi.gif

always avoid the happoshu! unfortunately, most beers in japan are from either big or micro, with not much in between (e.g., similar in size to sleeman, big rock, creemore, amsterdam, etc.), meaning that you can usually only get the microbrew selections in the towns they are brewed in. microbrews from towns i can specifically recall, include ones from kinosaki, kumanokodo and hongu, along with some others i cannot remember. otherwise, there was a great 'international beer festival' in osaka last year that i checked out and that, amongst the international brews, had a tent with a good variety of strictly japanese microbrews.

check your PMs.