Ahh, winter, what a PITA.

I started keeping statistics on my cycling a few years ago, just for the hell of it.

Last winter I averaged 4 days a week on the road. My standard winter riding rule is [dry roads= riding weather]. Last winter we had cold days, but much less snow, so the riding conditions were good enough for me most of the season. I've been on the road in fairly cold conditions (-24 with the wind chill is the coldest I remember), but as long as I'm properly bundled up and I don't have skin exposed to the wind I find that the heat I generate while riding keeps me perfectly comfortable (scroll down for more tips on winter riding from a previous post).

This winter has been a cycling disaster, tons of snow, even rain and sleet, wet, icy, snowy and crappy roads for long stretches. My riding is down to about 1 day a week on average, and some weeks not at all. I have an hour long commute, I'm not pushing through deep snow for that.

I am riding on the dry days though, and I have to say it has proven to still be a challenge as there is so much "crap" built up at the side of the road (snow, salt, dirt, all mixed into a chitinous "stuff" that is hard to ride through) that you are essentially forced to be a vehicular cyclist (e.g. riding with, rather than beside, the cars) to get anywhere. Motorists don't like this, particularly in winter when the conditions are already dodgy.

And the bike is a filthy mess, covered with salt and dirt, I have to clean and oil the chain regularly or it grinds my gears. Every time I take the bike out in these conditions I wonder if I'm doing long term damage to my ride.

So yeah, winter, PITA.

Instead of complaining any more, I thought I would post some pictures from sunnier months, just as inspiration. Please keep in mind that most of these photos were taken from a camera phone WHILE RIDING, LOL. So they are not top quality. Still, they give a decent picture of the two primary river trails (the Humber and the Don), particularly in the summer and the fall when I took a lot of pictures.

Enjoy!


Waterfront around Keele

Don River Trail under the Danforth Bridge

The Don River Trail, just before Sunnybrook Park

Don River Trail, looking South near Danforth Bridge

  

Don River Trail, looking South, near the Brickworks

Don River Trail, bridge crossing looking North near Riverdale Farms

Waterfront Trail, near Southern end of Humber

Pedestrian Bridge, Lake Shore West Trail

 

Humber Marshes, South End of Humber River Trail

"Entry" to South End of Humber River Trail

Public Pavillion, South End of Humber River Trail

Don Trail, looking East to the DVP

Don Trail, looking South 

Don Trail, looking North, just past Danforth Bridge

 Don River Trail, near Bayview Extension

 Don River Trail, looking North

Don River Trail, North past York Mills

 Riverdale Park, East Side

Don River Trail, looking South

Don River Trail, Bridge near Eastern Avenue

 Don River Trail, Near Flemingdon Park

 Don River Trail, near Flemingdon Park

Don River Trail, Near Millwood

 High Park, East End

High Park, East End

Don River Trail, Near Wilket Creek Park, just after a heavy summer rain

Don River Trail, Near Wilket Creek Park, just after a heavy summer rain 

Don River Trail, Near Wilket Creek Park

Don River Trail, Near Wilket Creek Park

Don River Trail, looking South near Riverdale Farms

Don River Trail, Bridge near Riverdale Park, right after a summer storm.

Bridge crossing Don River Trail at Riverdale Farms, looking South on DVP

 Humber River Trail, near Baby Point

York University Campus, near Rexall Centre

York University Campus, near Rexall Centre

Black Creek Parkland Trail, just South of York University

Humber River Trail, North of Eglinton

 Humber River Trail, North of Eglinton

Humber River Trail, North of Eglinton 

Pedestrian Bridge, Junction

Crossing Under the highway on the Upper Humber Trail

 Stairs, Don River Trail, just South of Sunnybrook Park

Don River Trail, near York Mills

Behind my map case and compass, Don River Trail, looking South near Brickworks

Humber River Trail, just North of Eglinton

Downsview Dells Park, looking East

Downsview Dells Park, looking East

Upper Humber River Trail

Upper Humber River Trail

 Upper Humber River Trail

Upper Humber River Trail 

Upper Humber River Trail 

Upper Humber River Trail

 Upper Humber River Trail

Upper Humber River Trail 

Upper Humber River Trail 

Lower Humber River Trail

Lower Humber River Trail, just past Baby Point

Lower Humber River Trail, just past Baby Point

Lower Humber River Trail, just past Baby Point

Lower Humber River Trail, just past Baby Point

Train tracks at Caledonia just South of the 401