MEC is a great place to shop.

Shiz - Did you post at the SA fourms?! This is Dissident. Wow, small e-world.

I'll throw my name in this too. I'm a fairly serious cyclist who trains of OCA events year-round. My favorite serious training ride is hammering from Toronto to St. Catherines and back along Lakeshore. I also haunt the Martin Goodwin trail. I'm always looking for a little friendly competition, in case anyone likes pushing their heart rate a little. I usually pick up club riders on my solo rides for sprints and mini-crits.

I plan to ride until the snow hits the ground (Dec), and to resume once it clears (March). Lately I've been ill and very busy, and been spending less time on the bike. I can already feel it in my pants.

I ride a Cervelo SuperProdigy in red/nickel in case I've passed you before..

Generally I'd agree with this except when you live in an apartment with carpetted floors, landlords tend to get picky about you cleaning your bike on them. I also lack space. *shrug*. No biggie though. I have an nice indoor trainer and a TV with 500+ channels (most are informationals I think however) to amuse myself over the winter. I then use the TTC to go through some backlogged reading that I need to do (as a professor I sorta need to stay current on my material).

Ended up splurging at MEC: got some "waterproof" cycling pants, neck warmer, head warmer, cover for the helmet, new rear fender (the old one got tossed after a minor mishap this summer), some bike socks and more waterproofer wax for my Lake Winter shoes.

So I'm hoping I don't wuss out too soon and am able to continue biking until later in November/December. I know that my toes tend to get cold quicker (family genetic thing about the extremities having thinner veins or some such thing) so that's what often discourages me but I have spent all this $$$ on gear so I'll have to use it (guilt factor works every time!)

yea I know about the toe's thing I got mine from falling in the lake in winter to many times (longstory) I bought Activa winter pants so the shorts come off in November dam things are really hott plus I am looking at lobster gloves to buy ..Steeker

I really recommend a pair of rain booties for winter. Any vented cycling/running shoe will freeze your feet in time, regardless of socks. Moreover, if your shoes and socks get soaked, god help you - you're in for one miserable ride. Rain booties alleviate both problems, in fact if they seal your shoe well you can step right into large puddles and not get wet. If your feet get cold, you're more prone to cramping and muscular discomfort, so keep that critical part of your body warm!

Thats me. I'm surprised I don't see you around more. I think I have seen you a couple times at Innis but I was in too much of a rush to stop and say hello. I'm making a point of biking through the whole winter this year, so we'll see how that works out. Its gives me a reason to build up another bike at least. I've been riding fixed gear lately and I'd be hard pressed to go back to gears at this point, its just more fun.

Shinaz , WOW your going to ride the winter on a fixed gear , you rule dude that;ll be hard work .Steeker

fixed gears make alot of sense in the winter. Theres less to go wrong and you have control of traction on the back wheel. Alot of road bikers will actually switch to a fixed gear for the winter for training.

tootleloo any speed is good as long as you ride I wish I had the free time to ride with ya I live in the Beach area too but my riding is at late afternoon and nights to work...Steeker

If anyone is looking at school in the GTA, join (or start a new) mountain biking team. I just came back from one crazy race - 10 degrees and raining. Peace

Who all was at the bike show? I got some Mapei gloves and some banana-color Biemme shoes at La Bicicletta. I also got a light. Shiznaz + operator, lets get some rides in while its still warmish!

Okay, how is tomorrow or tuesday? my IM details are in my profile.

Tomorrow sounds good. Is Skyleo up for it? Suggestions on route, or some route that you regularly ride? I hope I can keep up with you heh.

Hah, I'm not that fit. Plus I've only got one gear! If its somewhere hilly I'll definitely be the one playing catch up. The routes I ride aren't all that exciting or particularly good, I'll usually just go down to the lake and east to the Don and follow the ravine up to Sunnybrook or something. Since its a monday, the bike paths would probably be nice and quiet. I generally like to avoid traffic if possible and get in a couple good hills. You mentioned some ride that the TBN does; that could possibly work out.

How does an after lunch start time sound to you?

I emailed skyelo about this, but I did it through the forum software so it may or may not have worked.

I have class until 2pm :|
I will be at the third floor meca at baen checking bikeforums at 11-12. Going to ride to school now

I'm fine with 2pm. when can you be ready to ride by?

Can be ready to ride at 2pm, I can meet you in front of SS (East entrance stairs, in front of the bike racks). I'll be the guy with the yellow jacket that says Barrday Race Crew.

Skyleo if you see thi come join us.

I'm in the green and white jacket on a grey bike trying to do track stands

Hey! Sorry I didnt make it. I have class til 4 everyday, but I have a spare from 12-3 mday wday fday. We should ride on wed or friday this week. Hope it went well.

Ride went great, I think we covered about 50k. I'm thinking of either scheduling it on friday or saturday/sunday. Bring along any cycling buddies you have. Once we get a medium sized group i'll apply for formal recognition by the University.

Only bad thing is that winter is approaching and others may not be so keen on cycling in cold weather.

I dont have any cycling friends But yeah, i'll hopefully be there for friday or saturday. Where did yall ride?

Rode from Bloor and took the trail from Riverdale Park down south to entrance of spit turned around and rode north to Sunnybrook park and rode back to the university.

I'm considering posting ads up for a next Saturday ride down to the spit and back. And perhaps stop at a cofee shop or restaurant for the apres.

HEY good idea but I can go only on Sundays and am still sick but the Spit has nice loops and the aDon Vally is great too >> I ride mountain bikes and I guess you lot have road bikes .........Steeker

Hey im livin in richmond hill! Anybody ride to York?

yo operator, are you up for saturday?