Comments Off on Ward 29 Bikes at Withrow Park Market: Saturday September 26, 2015

By Kathy Chung, September 24, 2015 9:54 pm

Ward 29 Bikes and Ward 30 Bikes will be offering free basic bicycle tune-ups and advice at the Withrow Park Farmers’ Market  this Saturday, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., weather allowing. Bring your bike to us! We can make many adjustments in just a couple of minutes. For more complicated repairs, we can let you know exactly what you need and refer you to a reliable neighbourhood shop.

The City of Toronto is working on its next 10 year Bike Plan. Come see what is being proposed and chat with us about your ideas and comments.

What: Free basic bike tune-ups, advice about bikes in general, and information about cycling in the city and the neighbourhood.

Where: Withrow Park Farmers’ Market, at the corner of Carlaw and McConnell Avenues.

When: 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Saturday, September 26, 2015

Comments Off on Toronto East Bike Festival, Saturday, September 19, 2015

By Kathy Chung, September 11, 2015 6:49 pm

Toronto East Bike Festival, Saturday, September 19, 2015, 10am-4pm.

Join us at the Toronto East Bike Festival, Saturday, September 19th, 10am-4pm, at the Warden Hilltop Community Centre, 25 Mendelssohn St., Toronto, organised by TO35Cycles, Ward 26 Cyclists, and the Crossroads of the Danforth BIA.

This family-friendly event will include a Bike Rodeo, Kids Bike Zone, demonstration cycling sports, free bike tune-ups, food, and a showcase of active lifestyle businesses and local environmental/social community groups.

Unsure of how to get there?  There are two group rides to the festival, one leaving from East Lynn Park and one from Christie Pits Park. You can also get there on the TTC. See here for travel details.

Comments Off on Ride in the East York Canada Day Parade: Wednesday, July 1

By 29bikes, June 27, 2015 5:10 am

Only one thing is way more fun than watching a parade: being in a parade! Join Ward 29 Bikes in the 58th East York Canada Day Parade on Wednesday, July 1. This will be our sixth year in the parade and honestly, we have no idea how they kept it going for so long without us. Riding in this local tradition is the best way to have way too much fun celebrating your community, laughing with your neighbours, and riding your bike in parade formations. Circles, figure-eights…maybe we’ll try a pinwheel this year! We’ll be gathering at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 1 on the north side of Dieppe Park (on Cosburn east of Greenwood). We’ll provide decorations; you just need to bring your bike and a smile. Check out the fun we’ve had in previous years and contact us if you want more information about the parade or to confirm your participation. Don’t miss out!

Comments Off on Bells on Danforth 2015: Saturday, June 6

By 29bikes, May 27, 2015 6:28 am

Get ready for the 4th annual Bells on Danforth ride! Once again, Ward 29 Bikes has joined forces with Ward 30 Bikes, Ward 31 Bikes, 32 Spokes, TO35Cycles, and Ward 36 Cyclists to bring you this family ride. This year, to celebrate Bike Month and 100in1Day, we will highlight the Danforth by riding east from Castle Frank to Danforth Road for a party. Bring a picnic lunch or grab a meal or dessert at one of the local restaurants before heading back home. Check out the Bells on Danforth site for more details about this year’s ride. Gather at Prince Edward Viaduct Park (across from Castle Frank station) 10:30 a.m. on Saturday June 6, 2015. Departure at 11 a.m.

Comments (1)

By Val Dodge, January 9, 2015 3:32 am

The annual January ritual of discarding last year’s dusty old calendar and tacking up a new one can mean only one thing: it’s time for our Annual Quarterly Pub Night! Join us at Remarks Bar & Grill on Thursday, January 15, 2015 starting at 7:00 p.m. The east end AQPN is the social event that we always plan to organize every three months, but actually manage to hold just once a year. Members of all of the east end cycling advocacy groups will be there to talk bikes, beer, and whatever else happens to be top of mind or bottom of glass.

If you’ve been thinking about getting more involved with cycling advocacy or just want to chat, this is your chance to meet some of the people in your neighbourhood who are working to make the city more cycling-friendly.

Details:
Annual Quarterly East End Pub Night
Thursday, January 15, 2015
7:00 p.m.–whenever
Remarks Bar & Grill
1926 Coxwell Avenue (West side of Coxwell Avenue, ½ block south of O’Connor Drive)
Everyone is welcome.

Comments Off on Bells on Danforth: Sunday, September 14, 2014

By Val Dodge, September 1, 2014 10:38 pm

It’s been a long wait, but Bells on Danforth is almost here again! Ward 29 Bikes has teamed up with Ward 30 Bikes, Ward 31 Bikes, 32 Spokes, TO35Cycles, and Ward 36 Cyclists to bring you the third edition of this popular family ride We’re meeting as usual at East Lynn Park (on Danforth one block west of Woodbine) to begin the ride but this time we’re going to Toronto City Hall to join the big party at BIKESTOCK. Check out the Bells on Danforth site for full details about this year’s ride. Gather at East Lynn Park at 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, September 14.

Comments (1)

By Val Dodge, June 25, 2014 5:04 am

Cyclists take a break during last year’s East York Canada Day Parade

Ward 29 Bikes invites all cyclists to ride with us in the East York Canada Day Parade, our must fun event of the year. Riding in this local tradition is the best way to have way too much fun celebrating your community. We’ll be gathering starting at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, July 1 at Dieppe Park (on Cosburn east of Greenwood). We’ll provide decorations; you just need to bring your bike and a smile. Check out the fun we’ve had in previous years and contact us if you want more information about the parade or to confirm your participation.

If you’ve ridden with us before, please note the new starting point this year at Dieppe Park on Cosburn east of Greenwood.

Parade FAQs

Is it fun?

Yes! Parades are best experienced from the inside.

Is it safe?

Yes! We’re in a parade! What could be safer than that?

Can my whole family participate?

The more the merrier. People of all ages can participate in the parade with us. All you need is a bike (or a trike!).

How long does it take?

The parade takes between 60-90 minutes. Most of the riding is at a walking pace and is very easy.

Do I have to decorate my bike?

You don’t need to, but you know you want to. If you arrive at Dieppe Park before 9:00, we’ll be able to help you decorate with balloons, ribbons, fascinators, pinwheels, flags, and whatever else we can pull out of our red-and-white stash.

What should I wear?

Most importantly, please dress appropriately for the weather. Be sure you have sunscreen and headwear if necessary.  We recommend wearing either red and white or Ward 29 Bikes blue. Just make sure that you’re comfortable.

Sounds great! I’ll see you there!

Excellent!

Comments Off on Annual Quarterly East End Pub Night: Thursday, April 24, 2014

By Val Dodge, April 15, 2014 2:35 pm

It’s that time again: a whole year (and then some!) has passed since our last quarterly pub night, so we’re doing it again. Please join us at Remarks Bar & Grill on Thursday, April 24, 2014 starting at 7:00 p.m. for our Annual Quarterly East End Pub Night event. Members of east end advocacy groups including Ward 29 Bikes, Ward 30 Bikes, 32 Spokes, Cycle 26, and Ward 31 Bikes will be attending this informal get-together. If you think you’d like to get involved in some cycling activities this year or just want to socialize, this is your perfect excuse to get out on a Thursday night.

If you’re a little shy and not sure you’re up to joining us, here are some sure-fire conversation starters among cyclists:

“It’s (perfect/awful) cycling weather this week.”

“Have you started riding yet this year?”

“Can you believe the potholes on <insert street> this year? It’s crazy!”

“What’s the best way to get to <insert destination> by bike?”

“Recumbent bikes scare me.”

“Hi.”

So join us to talk shop, talk bike, talk sports, or just have a good time.

 Details:
Annual Quarterly East End Pub Night
Remarks Bar & Grill
1926 Coxwell Avenue (West side of Coxwell Avenue, ½ block south of O’Connor Drive)
From 7:00 p.m. until whenever.
Everyone is welcome. Contact us if you have any questions.

(What’s an annual quarterly pub night, you ask? It’s a social gathering that we try to have quarterly but end up having annually. Usually, we’d rather be outside riding than inside talking about riding. Typical cyclists!)

Comments Off on Ward 29 Bikes at the Withrow Park market: Saturday, October 19, 2013

By Val Dodge, October 18, 2013 1:44 am

Ward 29 Bikes and Ward 30 Bikes will be offering free basic bicycle tune-ups and advice at the Withrow Park Farmers’ Market this Saturday, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., weather allowing. Bring your bike to us! We can make many adjustments in just a couple of minutes. For more complicated repairs, we can let you know exactly what you need and refer you to a reliable neighbourhood shop.

With a few chilly mornings upon us, are you thinking about putting your bike away for the season? Why not try extending your cycling season a little bit this year? We’ll be giving advice on winter riding: with some common sense and clothes that you already have in your closet, it may be easier than you think.

What:  Free basic bike tune-ups and advice about winter cycling and bikes in general
Where:  Withrow Park Farmers’ Market, at the corner of Carlaw and McConnell Avenues.
When:  9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Saturday, October 19, 2013 (We’ll reschedule in case of heavy rain.)

Comments (1)

By Val Dodge, June 18, 2013 9:04 pm

The forecast for Thursday evening is clear and sunny and there won’t be a better night for our fun Ward 29 History bike ride. Learn about some of the families that helped to build (sometimes literally) East York, discover the hidden history in our own neighbourhood, and uncover the stories behind familiar (and not-so-familiar) buildings. The Ward 29 History bike ride is a guided tour through a selection of historic sites in three different corners of Ward 29. We ride at a comfortable pace and pause at each site for a brief discussion.

For this ride only, our starting point is at Playter Gardens on Cambridge Avenue at Danforth Avenue, one block west of Broadview Avenue. Meet at 6:15 p.m. on Thursday, June 20, 2013. As always, the tour gets underway at 6:30 p.m. rain or shine, but will be cancelled if thunderstorms are likely. Email info@29bikes.ca before 5:00 p.m. on Thursday if you want confirmation of the status of the ride; final determination will be made by 5:30 p.m.

You should bring:

• a bike in good working order,
• clothing appropriate for the weather,
• a bottle of water,
• money for refreshments after the ride,
• lights for the late-evening ride home, and
• TTC fare in case you get tired and need a lift home.

Contact us if you have any questions, and we hope to see you on Thursday.

View map in a new window

We’ve already finished half of our six scheduled Thursday Night Rides for this year. If you’ve been meaning to join us for a ride but haven’t been able to yet, this is the week to get on the bike.