I should add also that the condition of the actual road surface has become worse than its ever been since I started cycling in the city seriously. I have given some thought to perhaps a 28c for the winter. All those little lips in the road from construction become rim killers in the winter when you misjudge the depth because its hidden by snow.
Whats with that anyway? Dig a big hole for water mains. gas, whatever. Then, when you fill and pave it, there is an inch and a half lip. They used to overfill these holes so that immediately after construction was finished, there would actually be a little hump in the road vs a depression. Laziness? Budget constraints? End Rant.

I think the city stopped doing most of the work and are hiring contractors instead. The problem is, nobody is checking their work- and they're doing a craptastic job. Ridden North on Beverly/St George lately? The "bike lane" is pretty much unrideable unless you're on a mountain bike. :(

Its because the decision makers drive SUV's with big wheels that are deisgned to drive over road construction and the like (I saw the commercial about why you need an SUV to deal with urban grocery getting)

PS. St george/beverly is a joke. I cruel joke. I ride right up the centre yellow line if I take that street and deal with the cars divebombing me. I rode over a fat peice of twisted rebar in the 'bike path' recently.

Then again, Bloor is a joke. So is Front. And Bathurst. And Richmond. And Adelaide.

Cars don't drive in bike lanes some of the time so why bother repairing them?

Bloor from Markham to Christie is the same way now. I gave Adam Vaughn hell about it recently he said he'd send out inspectors to see if the work was sub-par and bring back the contractors if it was. I'll see what happens when I continue to harrass him

on a brighter note, have you guys noticed they're repaving Bloor, west of Bathurst? Yah, smooth as butter.

They need freakin' inspectors to see that that road has been destroyed? Tax dollars at work boys.

Figures...right after I move from that hood.

and St. George is repaved now. It's also pretty smooth.

I'm pretty sure that beverly south of college is still terrible though, and the pattern they cobbled st george with is annoying as you're constantly transitioning between brick and concrete. In a few years its going to be REALLY BAD. I can guaruntee it.

Yikes that sounds worse than what I did! Yeah I find that biking on and off like I have been on some of my days off is fine, but every time I attempt a half day of work it just acts up again. I think I am going to have to accept that I won't be messin' through the Christmas rush dammit. I have been doing the 15 min ice thing it does seem to help. It might be time to go to someone who really knows knees specifically. I want to know what to do excercise wise to maximize recovery. I have had other muscle injuries in other places before but the knee is a real *****.

True. I should clarify that I'm only refering to St. George b/w Bloor and College. Don't know what's going on north of Bloor- god know that's a very choppy stretch, too.

The same contractors that get hired to do the complete paving jobs as well no doubt.
Do a sub-standard job on the patchwork. Wait for inevitable complaints. Score contract for entire paving job. JACKPOT!

Actually that is a different place than I went to. If the guy is an avid cyclist I'm sold :D Thanks for the recommendation, actually I am going to check that out. The place I went was drop-in only, so the second time I went I couldn't guarantee that I saw the same doctor which was pretty annoying. At that point I was (naively) hoping for a fast recovery, but now that it looks like that is not in the cards I should see someone who specializes in this stuff. Thanks again!

Actually I kind of like that, simply b/c everytime I ride over it, I feel I'm getting a taste of the european spring classics

Unethical contract awarding is still one of the most corrupt aspects of our muncipal, provincial and federal governance. Its just hard to track because everyone knows everyone else.

Nope that wasn't me actually. Did you see the guy's bike? I'm just wondering if I know him. Right now my operational fixed bike is a red and white Mielle conversion with red deep v's. I won't be riding nearly as much until this knee heals but if you see me "holla at ya boy" or whatever.

If you are going to try and make an appointment with Doc Woollam, make sure to stress it is a Cycling/Sports specific injury. You may not get in otherwise. He has been my G.P. since I started seeing him for a knee problem 10 or so years ago. Excellent doctor!

Thanks Keith. Actually I just made an appointment with another doctor because Dr. Woolham is booked for a while. I did tell them it was a cycling injury. I think the doctor they booked me with was Dr Ed... something I'm not sure about the pronunciation of the second part. Maybe I'll try back for cancellations or something to try and get in with Woolham it sounds like it's worth trying to get an appointment with him.

How do I do the same for Roncesvalles? It is worse than Korea Town was, believe it or not. Is Adam Vaughn the representative of that area or is he in charge of road-works or something? Thanks.

Councillor Glen de Baeremaeker is head of Public Works. This could be a good thing for you- he used to either sit on or chaired the pedestrian something-or-other committee.

Roncesvalles is in ward 14, Parkdale-High Park. Gord Perks is your man.

As much as it pains me to say this, Adam Vaughn is my ward's city councillor. I happened to see him and corner him at City Hall while I was there on other business but I think going to your city councillor and being somewhat annoying will help get something done.

you'd be surprised how effective calling every five minutes can be :)

Also good to mention that your next call will be to The Fixer column at the star

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8uUDX5nY98Q

fun!!!

AND
http://www.jibjab.com/nuckin_futs

****ing right! Cycling anime god I love the japanese