Ride The Loop Close The Gaps

Four years ago, Community Bikeways hosted their first ride along the Loop Trail; a 72 km loop along the Martin Goodman, Humber River, Finch Hydro Corridor, and Don River Trails. At the time, I only made it to Finch West Station. The group has since held another ride in Fall 2025 – you can read Jun’s recap here – and now one held today. About fifty people braved the cold, hail, snow, rain, sunshine, and obstacles for today’s ride to advocate for the need to close the gaps along this trail.

Albert Koehl welcomed everyone to the ride at The Well near Front and Spadina and stressed three priorities for the ride. Those were to enjoy the natural scenery, highlight the gaps, and inspire people to advocate for closing the gaps.

Ed Ravin with the Toronto Bicycling Network was the ride leader and gave some safety instructions including the point, drop, and sweep to ensure everyone stayed on course.

Here we go!

The Puente de Luz leads to Dan Leckie Way and the Martin Goodman Trail.

Queuing up on Dan Leckie Way; one of Toronto’s more recent cycle tracks.

Along Queens Quay.

A temporary trail diversion was built around Ontario Place. Lots of joggers (and dogs) were out today.

Kristin crossing the huge puddle just before the Humber Bay Bridge.

A group photo right after crossing the bridge.

Time to go under the bridge and continue our way.

The Humber River Trail goes on road along Stephen Drive right after this hill.

Regrouping just before the Old Mill bridge.

Again, lots of people out along the Humber River Trail.

Crossing the bridge just south of the CP Rail bridge which most people walked their bikes. It’s narrow and not pleasant to ride on.

A quick bathroom and snack break at James Gardens. Sadly, the water fountains weren’t turned on.

The Eglinton Crosstown West Extension continues to make progress with this bridge being built across Eglinton Flats.

Bringing our bikes up the Mallaby Park Staircase. Here’s Jane and Victor with North York Cycles which Community Bikeways recently awarded the Suburban Road Safety Champion Award.

The “Bike Lane Closed” pylon was blocking the Finch West bike lane at Duncanwoods, so I moved it out of the way to let people pass by. A few others also helped with this task.

Along Finch West, there is another bike lane gap between Weston and Signet Arrow because CPKC has been known to resist accommodating active transportation. Therefore, we took the lane.

The multi-use path under Highway 400 was very pleasant.

This bike was covered with stickers, so I had to take a photo.

A multi-use path was put in place from the Norfinch-Finch intersection, but it doesn’t connect to the Finch Hydro Corridor!

Because of this glaring gap, a lot of us had to push their bikes through the wet grass. Fortunately, my Brodie gravel bike was able to ride through on the lowest gear.

Riding back up the Black Creek valley along the Finch Hydro Corridor.

A temporary trail diversion was in place between Keele and Dufferin Streets.

It was hailing and very windy while we navigated through the G Ross Lord Park reservoir.

We took our lunch break at Esther Shiner Stadium just before Bathurst Street. Almost reminds us of eating lunch back in school!

Another trail gap exists just before Yonge Street.

This switchback trail right before the Don River Trail gave a nice view of all the cyclists going down it. And of course, Walter proudly shows his sanitizer bottle! 😉

Heather (left) riding down the Don River Trail.

Regrouping at Sheppard and Leslie. The Sheppard bike lanes were supposed to end here, but unfortunately were put on hold because of Doug Ford.

Pier next to the Betty Sutherland Trail closure sign.

Now we get to the fun part of navigating the trail closure with its numerous obstacles since it’s still a heck of a lot safer than riding on nearby Leslie Street! Here’s Albert guiding riders through.

Lots of smiles along the final stretch of the ride. Here’s Kelly and Eva.

The opening at the end of the Don Mills Trail is a lot easier to navigate this time around.

A little dirt riding to get to the Leslie Street light.

Janet Joy descending the switchback near Eglinton and Leslie to get back onto the West Don Trail.

Turning onto the Bayview Multi Use Trail.

After a brief stop at the Brickworks, it’s time for one final push to The Well and Reily gives the thumbs up.

At Mill and Cherry Streets where I split off to head home. The final push up Sherbourne was brutal!

Thanks Community Bikeways for organizing today’s fun ride and to Ed Ravin for leading us through. Let’s continue advocating for closing the gaps and make it an election issue!

Jun Nogami took this photo of me with Albert and Al. You can read his take on today's ride here.