I'm new to road biking and I live a Dupont & Spadina. Can you provide further details?

+1 Toronto biker. Ok... it's actually Mississauga and it's actually an eBike.

I'm in Hamilton but love to travel. If anyone is organizing a mountain bike ride, include me on that mailing list.

While I'm rather out of shape at the moment, I do have plenty of race experience. So as long as it's not a hammerfest, I keep up just fine. I'm looking to try out new trails.

i like toronto.......but i dont live there........maple leafs suck:)

I finally got a rack installed on my car so I'm up for travelling as well...I have a road and mountain bike so anything worth coming out to I'm in for.

Still early in the season and I slacked off all winter so I'm in terrible shape...not up for a punishing road ride yet, in a month or so I should be good though...just dont want to get dropped!

If there is a mailing list feel free to add me to it.

I am living in Toronto currently. Moved to Hamilton in 99 from Edmonton Alberta and now been in Toronto a couple years and some. Living in Forest Hill on Bathurst and St. Clair.

I'm down in St. Catharines but make it up to Toronto at least once a month. I'm currently looking for a beater fixie/singlespeed because I can't find anyone down here selling used frames that are halfway decent!

Peace

Go loiter at Liberty Cycles...you should get wind of someone selling something!


ps. Tell Cam chad says Hi if he still works there ;)

Haha I was just in there yesterday! Put down a payment for my bike that's coming in next week.
I don't know chad, I know ben and one other guy I forget. I really like that shop though, they are all really good guys.

Hello fellow Torontonians. I will be living in Mississauga this summer but work at UofT. My plan was to take the GO until Union and then ride my bike between the two locations. This would entail leaving my bike overnight somewhere near union, if not right outside it. Has anyone done anything like this? I'm not worried about it being stolen during the day, but how likely is it that I will be a victim of bicycle theft those nights and weekends my bike (run of the mill mountain bike... no way I'm bringing my good bikes) is left outside Union. Are there any Toronto by-laws that even prohibit this? I'd really like to use a bike, it cuts down my commuting time and is cheaper and healthier than the TTC.
Thanks.

Also, those in Mississauga over the summer, I'm up for biking and usually bike in the Northwest of the city (Meadowvale, Streetsville --> Heartland, South to Eglinton/Burnhamthorpe)...

Well it's been a long time since I've been in there on a regular basis. Perhaps Cam moved on...maybe I'll see him at a race this summer.

Are you doing any of the liberty Mountain Bike races this summer? Or the lake to lake...or the squeezer? I'm juggling my schedule to see which ones I can hit up (I'm planning on doing track in london this year) but I have friends that are doing all of them (or plan to anyway).


ps. what kind of bike are you getting???

I would love to do the races, but I currently don't have a mountain bike. If I end up with a good job this summer I may be able to buy one by the end of the summer but I'm not sure yet.

I got a Specialized Allez 24. It's my first real roadbike, I rode fixie for a few years while I lived in California but never took the plunge to full out road until now. I'm really excited, the bike just has to be sent to the shop and assembled/fitted, and then I'm good to go!

There track racing in London? That's awesome, I guess that means I need to get another bike lol.

peace

haha ya they have rentals, I'm having a hard time with the track bike deal...I was going to order a Pinarello Surprise from Main Cycle in Hamilton, we worked out a good deal and I'm reasonably happy with it (stuck with Cane Creek wheels when I wanted campagnolo pista's but because it's track they can't swap parts)...but I just am not comfortable ordering a bike out of the book without seeing it. I'm hoping I can find something comparable at the rental shop, but I'm doubting that they have pinarello's for rent...

I'm going to do a bit of everything this summer...I'm not focusing, so I'll stop down and do a mountain bike race or 3, planning on some TT/circuit road races and track...diversity for this summer! I've ridden not nearly enough in the last couple years so I'm going to get it out of my system now!

The allez is a nice bike...I don't have any specialized bikes but there gear is so awesome, my mtn shoes are specialized, road shoes would of been specialized as well but I got a ridiculous deal on these carbon shimano shoes...i tell ya when they are less than half of MSRP they fit/feel so much better! and the helmets fit great...though I use giro for some reason.

Bike Theft is ridiculously rampant down town especially at union station so it would depend on your lock. I currently use a Kryptonite Evolution-Mini U-Lock which i lock the back tire and frame to the post then loop a cable through to lock the front tire within the Kryptonite lock. The guy at the shop says these locks are the best. I am not sure but they are solid mother's.

I don't know what to suggest about a place to lock. I have heard of bike lockers around the city but i think they are getting taken out or something. Not to sure.

Hope that helps.

WHat about the issue of leaving the bike overnight every night in the city? Should I expect it to be gone after the first weekend?
I will purchase a good lock (thanks for the suggestions), especially since I just have a chain/combo lock now.

ohhh chain combo can be easy to break. All they need is a decent small crowbar and pop she goes. The Krytonite i use has two locking points. One on each end. The would have to break both side to get it off. Also it is a mini so once locked to the back tire and frame there is no clearance to even get a tool in there to pick the lock or break or cut. According to the guys at the shops they are the best locks around not to mention come with a guarantee of replacement of your bike up to $3500 if it gets stolen when their lock is used.

I'll be honest. I'd be very hesitant to leave my bike all day let alone every night. Call up Sweetpetes at Bloor and Dufferin and talk to Jim. He can tell you the area of town where bike theft is much less common and he can tell you the major trouble area. I've bought a Kona Dew Deluxe and a Kona Dawg Deluxe off the guy and he definitely knows what he is talking about. Their number is 416-533-4481. Let me know what you find out.

Look into the Bike Lockers program in the area. You can rent one for 10 bucks a month, but I don't know if there is a waiting list or anything.

Or get a folding bike.

Or ride the whole distance. :) :) :)

Ah yes, I thought that the bike locker program was still in effect so here is the link for anyone that needs it http://www.toronto.ca/cycling/locker.htm
Enjoy fellow Torontonians!

Hmm, none are actually at Union Station. Not even that close. Some are within a relatively short walk, but since the ride to the U of T is pretty short as well, the walk may end up almost as long as the ride.

I think my commuting time would be cut in half and also made much more pleasant with a bike. I think I'll keep it outside some office building on bay that have 24 hr security.

No one has tried leaving the bike locked overnight for several nights? I'll probably be taking it in later in the week.

www.pedalperformance.com

*shameless plug

I don't care about Hockey. I live in Toronto. :D

Hmmm, never responded to this thread I guess...

I'm in the High Park/just east-of there area of the west side. I commute and rec. ride when I can. I have a whacky evening/weekend schedule, but would love to hook up with some fellow BFers for a ride or few... I ride a crappy tyre MTB or an old Centurion road bike, I don't ride too quick, but not too slow either. I'm not scared of distances (rode to Cambridge 2 weeks ago, rode the 75k Ride for Heart last weekend, riding to Niagara in a couple weeks, etc.), so if anyone is interested PM me.

I've done CM April and May so far, as well as Take the Tooker last month - and a couple TBN rides (not a member, though). The CM rides are an interesting experience :)

What are your opinions on my lock combo for the area I live and work in?

I have a BikeGuard lock as my main lock: http://www.bikeguardlocks.com/chains/megalink_3600.php
I put that one through both my front wheel and frame.

I also have another lock whose brand escapes me at the moment, but is very similar to this one: http://www.bikeguardlocks.com/chains/jointlock.php
That one I use to lock the rear wheel in place to the frame, so that if a bike thief manages to get the chain lock open they can't ride away easily.

My LBS told me that the first lock is just as good as a u-lock but I'm starting to doubt this claim. For reference, my bike is most often locked in Little Italy (work at College and Clinton, live at College and Ossington) but also makes its way around the downtown area, mostly Queen W. between Bathurst and Dufferin, but avoiding the business district.

Thanks for any advice! I love my bike and if it ever got stolen I'd probably cry.

I think that that's a pretty good lock but what do I know?

Anyways, if your bike means that much to you I would not leave it outside, locked or otherwise. For your short distances, get a cheap beater bike.