^^^^^Isn't he just a peach, that Veteran_Youth? ^^^^
Hey 32flavours said so.

I sent this to traffic services.

Good Day Officers:

I was informed by a biking officer, that as a cyclist in Toronto, I am allowed to take the curb lane. Today I was doing just that and riding as if I were a car, complete with waiting in line at the red. I was buzzed by a mini-van about six inches from my elbow as it straddled the lanes on the way to work. I calmly drove up to the drivers' window, where he informed me that he "knew" the law and I should be in that two foot strip of filth. We weren't being nasty it was a civil exchange.

If I'm allowed to take the lane, how is a car supposed to pass? By straddling the lanes and cutting me off? This seems to be the preferred method by Toronto drivers'. I've been a competitive cyclist for twenty-five years and a messenger in the 80's in Montreal, my skills are such that I fear no car. However had I been a nervous biker this man may have led to my crashing and being killed in traffic this morning.

Is there a web reference.... where I can see the law regarding my right to take the lane, rules regarding the inevitable passes as well as the possible charges penalties for not passing safely? I would love to print it so that I may give it to drivers who "know" the law.

It's quite disturbing to have a car revving it's engine eight inches from my back wheel. If I fall I'm dead. I've never encountered such overtly aggressive drivers as the Toronto rush hour and this is the only city in Canada I've ever feared for my life as a cyclist.

I know there alot of bad drivers AND cyclist out there, but drivers, being shielded by a ton of metal, are rolling weapons if they are unaware of how to position themselves in regards to other road users.

I think a road blitz/education campaign is needed before more cyclists are killed on our streets. If drivers don't start backing off the idea they own the roadway there is sure to be an unpleasant series of encounters this years as more and more tax paying citizens start using the most eco-friendly and non-obtrusive method of transport devised by man.

That said I've never EVER seen a car trying to honk or otherwise hassle bike officers off to the filth strip on the side of the road. Can I have one of your jackets? Just joking.

Thanks for your time. I hope to emailed a link or some text referring to the actual laws on the books.

Thanks for all the good work you do.

Keith:

Does the Fuji fit this bill?

from the true north site:
ocal demand for track bikes has been growing lately due to the opening of the Forest City Velodrome in London, Ontario. Track bike geometry and sizing is dictated by the size of track and the event the athlete is competing in…Forest City is a short (138m) indoor track with steep banking, and it rewards really steep, aggressive frames.

Yup

I would like to amend my comment slightly as I just checked pics of the Prov. Track Champs and most guys are on traditional frames. My buddy who is racing very well had a compact and was going to replace it w/a Giant ordered through my shop, but he got a "deal he could not refuse" on an Opus and is now riding that. I just find comments on aesthetics from urban fixers amusing when aimed at bikes that were really never designed to touch pavement in the first place. The compact frame will look just fine with an aero helmet and spandex 1-piece.

But anyway, Giant pretty much pioneered compact sizing to make their own lives easier and I don't see them giving it up any time soon. Even on entry level posenger bikes.

Andrew

Apparently TRUENORTH gives discounts if you mention the name KASPER.

I agree with you on compact, I love the way it looks. I prefer somewhat thinner tubing though.

But anyway, Giant pretty much pioneered compact sizing to make their own lives easier and I don't see them giving it up any time soon. Even on entry level posenger bikes.

Andrew[/QUOTE]

Actually...

Sloping top tube frames, became popular after young PAUL BRODIE made a mistake welding a frame at rocky mountain. There was the sloping frame. Of course there was cheese womens frames. there was a few sloping top top tube road frames before giant.

Furries!

https://www.tigerden.com/infopage/furry/

I dunno this is also the singlespeed forum...

The rental bikes there are Fuji's and KHS's. Unless you are looking to set a new flying lap record you should be fine. I know of a few folks who bought their own pimp wheels and just put those on the rental bikes.

Not to be a stickler...but....Brooks Rapley, Dave Byers and Keith Thorarison...all medallists at the Provincials....all ex-messengers. Brooks and Dave are my boys!! Brooks is also a National Silver and Bronze medallist.

what sort of pedal action is on the rentals? I totally wanna hit that track. Group rate? I might be able to get us a deal on the party/magic bus to London.

Just bring yer own shoes and pedals. They usually have like 20 pairs of toe-clip pedals on the table cause hardly anyone uses em.
Magic bus party trip to London for some Velodrome action? I'm in!!

I'm not sure how well single sided entry Looks are going to go over on fixed.

Like a dream, Operator, as long as you stay clipped in and spinnin'.

seeing as you're already used to them they shouldn't be a problem. i know a couple of guys who ride with Looks on their fixies, doing all sorts of long rides.

I'm definitely into a trip to London as well... and double-definitely if it's on the magic bus.

For some odd reason I keep having Cheech and Chong movie flashbacks. "de license in on da back of de car man"

That my friend just makes it perfect. This must happen.
Substance Abuse at the Track day?

Who's been there allready? We will have to partake in an intro to the track course.
Is that agreeable to everyone as a group? K, you've spun the track, is it a long session? Would that suffice for our first outing?

If a track day is a real possibility I think we should definitely get warmed up at the EYC running track or another suitable venue. Channel surfing Sunday morning I came across Breaking Away right in the middle of the race........and it seems like that was pretty much exactly the type of thing that was being discussed a few pages ago. I say we do it!

+1 for custom "Cutters" t shirt.

+1000000 for taping your feet to the pedals.

And yes Keith, I realize I should have dealt with my snarky comment with the edit button instead of a half retraction, but I think you know what I was getting at.......

Andrew

Sounds good.....yes to the running track.

They do a combined track 1 and 2 session rolled into 1 4 hour course. I think that is offered Saturday afternoon's but I have to check the sked to make sure. For a first trip you get the first 2 LTR (out of 4) sessions done and with this get a fair amount of riding in as well. Typically the LTR sessions start real basic and by 2 hours in you will be rolling around no probs and they will give you some "open" time during this as well to get really comfortable.
And vereran...I didn't think you were being snarky but thought I would give the 411 on the ex-messenger's kicking a$$ at Forest City.

[QUOTE=veteran_youth]If a track day is a real possibility I think we should definitely get warmed up at the EYC running track or another suitable venue. Channel surfing Sunday morning I came across Breaking Away right in the middle of the race........and it seems like that was pretty much exactly the type of thing that was being discussed a few pages ago. I say we do it!

+1 for custom "Cutters" t shirt.

+1000000 for taping your feet to the pedals.

Spider Makyyyyyy , I saw the same show on Sunday ,, Cosbourne Ave has the huge flat track at the school we should race there at night and get CUTTER SHIRTS.. see'ing my back is still out you just might beat me

What, my 10 second glance at the prices of some U.K. shops + mental exchange rating wasn't accurate? Go figure.

I am totally down with a trip to Forest City.

Got Rubino #1 mounted. Looks purty. Really need to re-do my bar tape now though. My stomach is telling me to wait until after supper for #2 however.

Operator: Duty = $17.73, Taxes =$17.43, Handling = $5.00.

Also. I'm want to buy some more tools. Beyond the little allen's and such, what would y'all suggest (Keith?). I'm thinking a lockring tool is probably a good investment, as well as better allen wrenches as opposed to the key-set I have now. What about a torque wrench? Oh, and a work stand too.. any recommendations/sources?