Ride Report - Don valley Bike Path by Lynne Atkinson

May 31, 2009

Ride Report - Don valley Bike Path, Toronto, ON
Submitted by Lynne Atkinson

I know this is not the usual type of report submitted and although I wish I could have been in Muskoka, I tried something different today in my training. I will call it the "Discover Toronto" training ride. I recently heard from a friend about the great bike pathway system that exists through Toronto but had never experienced it, aside from the well known Martin Goodman Trail along the lakeshore. However I wanted to learn about the path systems that run north from the lake through the city and I chose one of several options - the Don River pathway. I submit this information in case anyone may find it useful.

I used the free Toronto Cycling Guide, available at public libraries, civic centres or at City Hall. Working downtown, I just went over to City Hall at lunch and picked up one for myself. There are numerous path systems throughout the city but I wanted to focus specifically on one. I parked my car at Edwards Gardens at Leslie and Lawrence and decided to follow the system south from there. It appeared on the map that I could access the pathway from there however there were signs posted at the Gardens that prohibited cycling. So I just rode down Leslie Street to the nearest access point to the path. It doesn't take long to come across one, there are several parking lots and access points to Sunnybrook Park.

Once on the path, it is important to follow directional signs because of the many offshoots that spring from the main path. You could easily find yourself in a place you did not intend. The signage is good although sometimes a bit confusing however there are many cyclists on the path who can direct you if you feel lost. The path is paved all the way and is shared with pedestrians and other cyclists so keep to the right unless passing. If you want to head south to the lake, just follow Route 45 South and you will emerge at Cherry Street and Lakeshore, roughly.

Upon setting out, I had no goals other than getting in a 60-70km ride and heading south to the lake. Other than that, I was going to play it by ear and wherever I ended up, I would sort it out from there, although I did stay on the 45 route south. Once at Lakeshore, I decided to ride westbound along Queens Quay (there's a bike lane for some distance) where you can then pick up the Martin Goodman Trail and ride westbound all the way to Burlington if you want, or eastbound to the beaches. You can actually continue on almost to Whitby if you like but that takes further explanation.

I decided to venture west to Bay Street and then turn back. I'm glad I did because there was a giant Hershey Bar handing out free samples of chocolate. Bonus! Considering I didn't have any nutrition other than e-load, I figured it would come in handy later (something I need to practice). After turning around and starting back eastbound, I rode down Cherry Street to Cherry Beach and enjoyed the water views. I continued east and came back up to Lakeshore and Leslie. You can then continue on the Martin Goodman Trail or like I did, head down the Leslie Street spit to the end for another great view. Anyone who ran the Midsummer Nights Run will know this route.

Once back on Lakeshore, I continued east to the beaches, as far as the trail would go. I enjoyed the waterfront immensely and found the path not crowded by any means. It must have been the cool weather but if you plan to ride this route in peak summer season, start very early or it will be too crowded. However, even in the cool weather, there was beach volleyball, yoga in the park, and people walking, running and cycling. I passed rowers practicing for their races and even people in prayer.

I headed back and hit a nasty headwind coming off the lake which really slowed me down. This was good though because it showed me that if I encounter that type of headwind in a race, how much my time will be affected. Heading back toward Cherry Street, I missed the entry point to the path and got a little sidetracked (read:lost). I ended up taking a scenic route through a lovely part of the city (Sumach and Shuter area if you know it) and then riding up the Bayview extension. I realized after where I missed my entry point so next time I know. Although the cars were travelling pretty fast on Bayview, there is a wide shoulder in case you need it however the ride is pretty much up an incline. Once you hit Pottery Road, you can pick up the 45 Route northbound back to Sunnybrook Park. This is what I did. Fortunately, there are many cyclists who know the system and can guide you if you're lost. Not that I was ;-).

This is not a ride for speed even though you can pick it up a little in some places. However it was very good training in other ways: 1) Situational Awareness - the route has some blind corners and can throw various curves at you if you don't know it well. In addition,you are sharing the path with various types of transportation (who never once posed a problem) and must maintain a certain degree of mental focus. I think this is helpful training mentally because you can't afford to zone out and it also improves reactionary reflexes. There are times when you have to negotiate what's coming and decide whether to try and pass or fall back which is good for mental agility. 2) Bike Handling Skills - there are many tight turns, some switchbacks, speedbumps, street crossings and some narrow passages. I think this ride was helpful in improving technical skills. There are spots where you climb a short ascent often on wooden bridges and have to make a sharp turn at the top which is useful training.

At the point where I recognized my route from the ride down that morning, I followed it to what I thought was headed to Edwards Gardens (the arrows said that anyway). Somewhere along the way, I took the wrong path and had no clue how to get out of the park. Note to self:study the park map for next time. I asked a man how to get out of the park and he said "which way, there are several ways out of the park". Thanks. I figured, just get me to Bayview and I can ride on the road from there if I have to. He pointed me in the direction and told me to "take the slope up on the right". Great. A slope up is what I needed at this point in my ride. Well, he was honest at least. The long uphill out of the park sucked, I mean was nice, and I haven't actually seen Sunnybrook Hospital in years.

Anyway, I knew where I was then and continued north on Bayview toward Lawrence. If you do this, you will hit a snag because the roads get interrupted around there and don't connect easily so I would try and stay on the path next time. I ended up riding north up Bayview (uphill of course) to Post Road and getting back to Lawrence and Leslie that way. This is the Bridle Path area of Toronto and if you haven't seen the mansions, they are something. Anyway, I finally made it back to my car after some diversions and having taken the circuitous route back. I ended up riding my goal distance and enjoyed the scenery and challenges, seeing birds and fox along the way as well as the parks of the Don River, where you will even see light rapids at one point. And of course, the lake. I would recommend this ride to anyone looking for something different. It is picturesque, offers challenges we don't usually encounter in Brampton and still allows you to get in some solid mileage. Plus...sometimes it's nice to see where the wind takes you.