Comments Off on Thursday night rides with Ward 29 Bikes

By Val Dodge, April 24, 2012 11:56 am

As part of Bike Month, Ward 29 Bikes is hosting a leisurely group ride each Thursday evening this June,  leaving from our East York neighbourhood to destinations within easy cycling distance. Each ride will be about 90 minutes long on streets and mixed-use paths and will end at a local restaurant or cafe for dessert and socializing. Each route may include riding (or walking!) up some hills, but we’ll try to keep the huffing and puffing to a minimum. If you’d like to join us, save the dates for our four Thursday night rides:

• June 7: Lower Don trail, Port Lands, and the Beaches. Ride the Lower Don River path and the eastern section of the Martin Goodman Trail out to the Beaches.
• June 14: The Don Valley to Sunnybrook Park. The classic Toronto family bike ride takes you up the Don Valley to the riding school at Sunnybrook Stables.
• June 21: Rosedale Ravine, Cabbagetown, and Riverdale. Rosedale, Leaside, and the Don Valley Brick Works. The original route of this ride has been changed, but will be just as fun. Take the scenic route downtown before ducking into the Rosedale Ravine and passing under bridges that carry city traffic far above you. Finish up with a spin through the Brick Works.
• June 28: Cedarvale Ravine and the Kay Gardner Beltline. Ride this bike-friendly circle route on streets and in parks through Forest Hill and Rosedale. You’d never know how close you are to downtown!

All rides start at the East York Community Centre (1081½ Pape Avenue at Torrens Avenue). Meet at the bike racks near the front door at 6:15 p.m.; the ride leaves at 6:30 p.m. sharp, rain or shine. We’ll post additional information a few days before each ride. If you have any questions, send us an email or ask in the comments section of this post.

And remember that when you’re on a bike, getting there is all the fun.

[Update, June 20: Links have been added for the first three rides, and the route information for the third ride changed.]

[Update, June 28: A link was added for the final ride.]

Comments Off on Bells on Danforth ride: Saturday, June 2, 2012

By Val Dodge, April 22, 2012 9:22 pm

Representatives from the four cycling advocacy groups along the Danforth—Ward 29 Bikes, SoDa Bikes, DECA Bikes, and 32 Spokes—are joining forces this year to organize the inaugural Bells on Danforth bike ride, a family-friendly event to celebrate cycling on the Danforth. Join us for a leisurely group ride along Danforth Avenue and Bloor Street, where we’ll meet the Bells on Bloor and Bells on Yonge group rides before heading down to Queen’s Park to finish our ride at the Cycle and Sole rally. Watch the Bells on Danforth website for more information in coming weeks.

Comments Off on Ward 29 Bikes meeting: Wednesday, April 25

By Val Dodge, April 22, 2012 8:57 pm

Our next regular organizing meeting is on Wednesday, April 25 at Timothy’s coffee shop in Carrot Common. We get started at 6 p.m. and usually wind up business before 8 p.m. This week’s agenda includes some planning for the Bells on Danforth ride and other upcoming events. Please join us for the evening if you’d like to get involved. Contact us if you need more information.