Ontario, Canada -- Rail-trail, Mountain, Road-touring

[Citadel Rider]

I thought it would be easier for everyone to meet here, rather than creating a hundred separate threads. There are already about 20 separate threads for riders in southern ontario looking for cycling partners.

Ontario has over 500 klm of rail-trails and more are being converted and prepared.

Its almost Christmas and if you have a bicycle on your wish list then keep this thread in mind for the spring and summer of 2006.

Enjoy.....

[Citadel Rider]

Hi folks,

I bought a bicycle in late summer 2005 and have enjoyed cycling the prepared trails and side streets around our neighbourhood here in Doon Village (south Kitchener). I'm almost 60 and out of shape, so my style of riding at this time is "easy-does-it". I will ride during the day, however, I like to ride in the evenings when the sun isn't so hot. Lights are essential for evening and night riding as well as reflector vests.

If you live in the Kitchener-Cambridge-Waterloo area and enjoy "easy-rider" cycling, I'd be happy to have a partner.

Duncan

[baj32161]

Hey Citadel Rider. My name iis Brian and I am probably going to be moving up to the Burlington ON area next year and I will be looking for a ride partner. Keep in touch here in the forums.

By the way, I am 44 y/o and not exactly a speed demon. Don't let my bike fool you.

[Citadel Rider]

hi there baj32161,

Well, you picked a nice place to cycle. Thare are lots of cycling trails, paths and rail-trails around here. One of the best is in Niagara Falls -- goes from Niagara on the Lake to Fort Erie -- about 50 miles, 6-8 feet wide and all paved. Hows that sound?

CR

[skyrider]

hey riders, Im from Harrow, just outside of Windsor just outside of Detroit. Im 47 commute and rec. ride, just got back into it after a ten year absence. That sounds like a nice little ride up in the Niagras. Youve got me interested on this cold damp rainy night. See you down the road.

[Im Fixed]

Im in Sratford I ride rain or snow [got the bruises to prove it.. he. he. ] Im 52 Last summer I was riding to Waterloo and riding with a buddy then ride home. He evenually lost interest and I lost A riding buddy. Like to get back at again this spring.

[Citadel Rider]

Hello skyrider and Im fixed,

Nice to hear from others here in Ontario. Did you know there is a "Canadian Cyclist Forum" ? I'm there as well.

CR

[baj32161]

hi there baj32161,

Well, you picked a nice place to cycle. Thare are lots of cycling trails, paths and rail-trails around here. One of the best is in Niagara Falls -- goes from Niagara on the Lake to Fort Erie -- about 50 miles, 6-8 feet wide and all paved. Hows that sound?

CR

I've driven past there a few times on my way into Niagara On The Lake with my girlfriend and loved what I saw. We also took a drive up to Elora and I loved what I saw there as far as roads, scenery and hills. She lives in Burlington and I plan on moving there myself in the next year or so if things go as planned. I hope to have a nice stable of bikes by then and do alot of riding. The shame is that my girlfriend does not ride...more's the pity.

Cheers,

Brian

[edzed]

Hi,
I'm in Toronto's north end. I ride a (Cyclepath) Phoenix Dutch Pig plain vanilla bike, but am soon getting a recumbent SatRday bike. Looking forward to spring.

[Lone_rider]

Hello everyone I live in Windsor. I am 48 years old a bit overweight but enjoy riding. Usually commute to work and do a fun ride on the weekends.

[qqy]

I'm going to try some light off-roading this season. I've built up a cyclocross/off-road/light touing bike and I'm dying to do some touring on rail trails. I'll check back here in march or so, but as soon as the snow's off the ground, I'm in the saddle.

[Shiznaz]

If any of you guys are into a little more lively ride in Toronto with some young and outrageous fixed gear riders, we have a little home on the fixed gear/ss forums. We generally take the lakeshore trail or just cruise the downtown area, and finish off our rides with delicious things like chinese pork buns, pies, beer and sometimes a trip to a bike shop to oggle at parts.

Here is the URL: http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?p=2079159

The thread is pretty much gigantic right now so don't even ATTEMPT to read any more than whats on the last page (which is usually rubbish anyways!) cheers!

[Citadel Rider]

Hi folks,

Its almost the end of January and we've had a number of people posting here -- which is great.

I have send away to a number of cities and regions (tourism departments) in Ontario for their cycling/trails maps -- Toronto, Mississuaga, Hamilton, Niagara Falls, Windsor, London, and of course Waterloo Region (Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge). I'm expecting a couple others -- some communities are presently printing new cycling maps for this year.

It is surprising the number of trails in these communities. May I suggest you send for copies of these maps -- "cycling touism" could inspire communities to improve their network of trails if they know tourist dollars are involved. As well, if groups get together for a ride, you will know where.

SUGGESTION -- We could plan on having group rides on weekends at different trails across Ontario -- and submit a "ride report" to the community concerning cycling tourism and the state of their trails, etc. What do you think?

CR

[Brad M]

Here are some trails I'm itching to try this year http://www.conservationhamilton.ca/p...sit/trails.asp

I live not very far from the trailhead of the Hamilton - Brantford one, making it particularly interesting.

[Citadel Rider]

Anyone holding their breath for spring?

[forrest]

holding my breath? heck no, I'm going riding saturday with a few people partly good weather first ride, and new bike euphoria, a nice 44.5 km road route only 150m of climbing
broken into a few gradual hills on the niagra escarpment north of milton

[orguasch]

envy guys, my first ride outside the house would be April 1, 2006, my bussiness partner is out on leave,

[qqy]

My season starts tomorrow or Saturday, depending on my work schedule. I'll out there in my rain gear this weekend - it looks like it will be very warm! My rides start in downtown T.O. and generally follow the waterfront trails, the don trails, or Lakeshore and other major roads. Once the ground firms up, I'm going to break out the knobbies on my cross bike and hit those rail trails. Anyone's welcome to come: PM or email me. Be warned: the pace is fairly brisk, but since it's early I don't want to push it that much.

[akarius]

Is any one here from eastern Ontario? It would be good to hook up for some day tours of the Ottawa Valley.

I just took my first ride since October, man it was awesome

[robs02elantra]

Ok, got my bike today and I'm waiting on getting pedals...none of the stores in town were open this evening apart from king street cycles, and although it is where I got the bike today, I didn't want shimano pedals, so I'm going to have to find something quick. I've got a bike sitting here in my living room with no pedals and it's the most depressing sight in the world.

So, as soon as I can get some pedals, anyone here want to help me break into knowing some people in Kitchener-Waterloo and start riding again??

[hmai18]

If I still lived in Kitchener/Waterloo, I'd be out with you guys on the road.

But I'm in Ottawa for school and am working for the university over the summer. But we have a kick-ass local club I get out with on Sundays. Any other capital-region dwellers should join the OBC and come out.

[milkyway]

I'm in Ottawa and my biking season just started today with a short 5km ride just to get into the groove again.

[Astroboy]

I'm in Barrie, and have already got 300kms under my belt....pace is around 30-32km/h, if anyone wants to join, let me know!

[aubeONE]

Hi There, I thought I would throw my invite to those in the area of Peterborough, Ontario.

If you're interested in riding with a more rec/fitness oriented rider, road or MTB, drop me a line or list your plans on www.peterboroughoutdoors.net

Evan.

[sgtsmile]

Kitchener-Waterloo area. I do mostly road riding and some off road. Leave a note here or pm me and I will contact you if you want to do some riding.