For those who are interested, meet at my house, 6AM for the ride of destruction.

Bring your cameras and charge your batteries!!

Yo, it's on monday or tomorrow? I want to see stuff blown up.

Monday, Monday!, MONDAY!!

We'll sell you the whole seat, but you'll only need the edge.

Damn that's funny .. I belly laughed.....
I was just outside.... is it just me or do the clouds look like the beginning from the Simpson's?.... look east

yay for days off mid week. got in a round of disc golf and everything. goodtimes.

Hullo, Torontonians:

I'm currently living in suburban Michigan, but I have transferred to York University and will be moving to TO in the fall. Just today I secured residence at a nice place in the Annex (Euclid & College/Bathurst), and I'm excited for the transition. Onto the bikery!

Lately I've been riding my father's old '93 Trek, but it's in bad shape. Just about every component has been dinged, dented or bent to the point where it just barely functions. In any event, I didn't plan on keeping the thing as it is too small. I suggested on the main SSFG forum that I was thinking of a Surly Steamroller, all-weather (for now) to commute to school (no easy task -- 18.5 km) and work, if I can get an off-campus permit. I also considered messengering for work, but that seems like more of a pipe dream as I have been out of riding for years until about a month or so ago.

Anyway, I was curious of your opinions of the viability of the Steamroller in Toronto, what sort of modifications I might need to make for the city, and also I just wanted to introduce myself. Ever since my admission to York, I have been secretly lurking this thread to see what's up, and I must say you all seem like a very friendly bunch.

Cheers,
Tyler.

Hi Tyler!

If you're commuting to York, might I suggest an air zound horn. Traffic is pretty crappy up that way.

Hi Tyler, that is quite a trek you have ahead of yourself, you will be in awesome shape after just a few weeks. The ride from downtown up to York U has a slight uphill grade most of the way, I am loathe to tell you, but at least the ride home will be fun ;)

I've biked in Toronto for awhile and I think that the best idea would be to get some bombproff wheels as our roads could be in much better repair and you will be bouncing around a lot unless you get something solid. For winter riding, a set of fenders is mandatory, I think the Steamroller has eyelets for them, and I guess that you will be using some panniers, right?

You'll love the city, especially right where you are; that is Little Italy and it is a great neighbourhood to live in for a first-timer. Welcome!

surprise! party at our house! this should be interesting, since it's the morning after pride! i don't think i have to work until noon! good times! :beer:

LOL! and a dumptruck!

if anyone's riding on the lakeshore path tomorrow near windermere (the white bridge) i'll be delaying your ride. we're shooting a fake triathalon there. there may be some bikes for sale from the shoot if anyone's interested. usually 25-50% off of sticker price.

what kind of bikes?

i won't know until i get there tomorrow what bikes or how many.

Yo

1) New york krypto U, or chain
2) set of full fenders
3) most generic components you can possibly put on your bike
4) Good brakes


dem are aer0 bikes yah?

unfortunately, unless newer models have changed, the steamroller has no eyelets...gonna have to use raceblades or something similar.

otherwise, the ride to york is not too bad. i used to ride from queen/bathurst and it took an easy 45mins, though you will likely inevitably have to use some main streets (busy, but i never had problems). the route i used was> http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=1066810

Sweet hills on Caledonia eh? Did you ride all winter?

That's hardcore, my hat is off to you. I am such a wuss, I thought the ride to U of T on my old GT mountain bike was brutal in the winters but I just Gmap'd it and it is only a paltry 5.4kms: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=1066849

Which is longer than the median car commute for Toronto residents (4.5km) so hats off to you.

cherry bomb is just up the road as is alternative grounds. CB wins points for bike bling hanging on the wall though...

ah yes, york is my alma matter but i didn't bike much back then as i was more into smoking and drinking. anyway, i concur with everyone's sentiments about fenders. may i also add a suggestion for wider than average tires (say 32-38). york u is off keele street which is in pretty shoddy shape so anything that can take the edge off is useful. i would also suggest using two locks for your bike (different kinds ie. cable and U); theft isn't a huge problem up there but you can never be too careful. that, and there really isn't any proper bike parking to speak of so you'll most likely be locking to fences and what not. the university is really nowhere near a subway stop so if your ride gets ripped off you're in for a crappy walk. you'll be suprised at how many cars there are on that campus. the university is contantly expanding their parking network and charging a premium to the students for the privledge of parking their cars, so you've made the right choice.
what else? cheap, healthy food at the kosher cafeteria in founders college. or if you're more adventurous the strip bar across the road (diamond dolls) used to have a great cheap buffet and no-drink minimum but i think their closed now. you do what you have to do as a starving student. what are you studying / what college are you in?

Not sure about cherry bomb, but I know Alternative grounds doesn't open until 7ish.

AND... Happy Solstice everyone! :D

7am?! Punks....
Ever notice how so many bakeries here don't open til 8 or even later?
I always thought the point was fresh bread when you woke up.

well 'round these parts it's fresh bread when they wake up.

And Alternative grounds is hippies, not punks! :p (and 7AM is more likely 7:15 on hippie time)

Is anyone doing the Chico 24 hr race this weekend at Albion? I do it every year with some buddies from Newmarket. Massive 10 person team this year!