More York Region Bike Month highlights

Bike Month 2015 has come and gone, but I had some memorable cycling experiences.  Here are a few more photos from some events in York Region that I participated in.

York Region Pedalpalooza - Tom Taylor Trail in Newmarket

Myles from Spoke O Motion set up some bike demos.  A quality bike makes such a difference in your cycling experience.  I rode my first tandem and fat bike!

Tom from Bike Sports showed off some different types of bikes including an electric bike.  Going faster and further with some power assistance makes me want to use a bike for more trips.  Pat from Smart Commute was there with her new e-bike.

Vaughan Bicycle User Group hosted two rides.  The Napa Valley Bike Lane celebration went from Sonoma Park to McMichael Gallery in Kleinberg.

Hydro Corridor trail south of Sonoma Park

Odette checking the map on the William Granger Greenway

The other Vaughan BUG ride was a Peter Rupert Bike Lane Celebration.  Starting from Walmart at Major Mackenzie / McNaughton, we biked south on Peter Rupert/Confederation to Hwy 7 with a stop for refreshments at McDonald's, and back north on the Bartley Smith Greenway.

I participated in the Toronto Bike Network's Dim Sum Ride.  The ride was led by Fred (who I previously met at Bike to Work Day Newmarket), and had about 10 cyclists.  We started at Finch Subway Station and headed north to Markham for an authentic chinese cuisine near Pacific Mall.

Finch hydro corridor in Toronto

Locking our bikes before lunch

Bike Month York Region had many other events, like bike valets at festivals, charity rides, mountain bike races, and kids bike camps. 

I'm all geared up for more cycling through the summer!

Here's another video to get you inspired to ride your bike.

Cruisin' the Holland Marsh

On the morning of Saturday, May 2nd, I did my first ride with the Toronto Bicycling Network.  It was one of their morning cruiser rides, this one through "Ontario's vegetable patch", the agricultural and wetland area known as Holland Marsh.  I was late for the start, but did manage to catch up to some TBN members during the 75 km ride.  Starting at King City Arena, I headed north on Keele along rolling hills and scenic countryside.  North of Highway 9, I entered the Holland Marsh area where there were endless farms with rich organic soil.  One of the first attractions I came across was Holland Marsh Wineries.  If I had more time, I would have stopped.  I'll have to come back!  The sights and smells of the Marsh gave me a deeper connection to where my food comes from, and it seemed fitting to experience it by bike.

King Road

Some roadside chickens

Canal Road.  There was a race on the canal called the Marsh Mash, and it was a treat to watch over a hundred people in kayaks, canoes, and standup paddleboards go by me while I rode alongside the canal.

Farmers market and garden centre along Hwy 9, east of Rupke Road.

Historic Plaque of Toronto Carrying Place

Here's the route.  Holland Marsh is really a unique and fascinating place, and very bike-friendly!