Earlier today, Community Bikeways hosted their third Loop Trail ride to promote the need to fill in the ten gaps along the trail. (you can read about the previous ride here) This edition was joined by a sister ride organized by Misha Perozak of the Scarborough Junction Community which called for the building of the West Scarborough Rail Trail from Warden to Kennedy Stations. About 40 people – myself included – started from the Distillery District while the Scarborough ride – which Jun wrote about on his blog – started at Warden Hilltop Community Centre and brought in a similar number if not more.
Here’s Albert Koehl of Community Bikeways welcoming everyone and announcing some of the ride logistics.
David Keogh – who hosts The Bike Report on CIUT FM – led the first half of the ride.
A group shot at the Distillery District before heading out.
All lined up!
We started rolling east along Mill Street towards Corktown Common and the Lower Don Trail.
Along the Lower Don Trail, which was busy with other cyclists, runners, and even a few dogs.
Regrouped under the Prince Edward Viaduct for another group photo.
Some parts of the Lower Don Trail had thick sand which some people had difficulty getting through. Fortunately, my gravel bike handled it fine.
Crossing Pottery Road.
Going through some Ontario Line construction.
Almost at Forks of the Don to meet with the Scarborough group.
The Scarborough ride joining us at Taylor Creek Park.
Albert kicked off our brief rally by saying “never doubt the power of community advocacy” and mentioned how there was very little information about the Loop Trail when Community Bikeways started their campaign last year.
Misha (right) mentioned the West Scarborough Rail Trail from Warden to Kennedy Stations was part of a vision some University of Toronto grad students had 54 years ago! Negotiations are still ongoing with the City of Toronto and the TTC regarding access to the former railway bridge crossing Warden.
One photo of the joint group before splitting off. The Scarborough group took the new East Don Trail while the Loop Trail group took the West Don Trail.
The Loop Trail group left first.
Navigating the sharp turn near the former Ontario Science Centre site. Heather (centre) recorded a video from the last Loop Trail ride which got over 40,000 views!
A short bathroom break at ET Seton Park.
Heading up the switchback to Eglinton and Leslie.
Along the Don Mills Trail.
We took the short York Mills bike lane across the railway tracks before turning left onto Lesmill.
Since workers were on site at the Betty Sutherland Trail, we had to use Leslie Street to cross Highway 401 which was the most unpleasant part of the trip.
One more highway ramp to cross. We then took the lane until we could get back onto the Trail at Sheppard and Leslie.
Time to start making our way up the Finch Hydro Corridor.
A quick regroup after getting to the top of the hill.
The Finch Hydro Corridor is such a nice place to ride!
We stopped at Esther Shiner Civic Stadium west of Bathurst Street for lunch. After this point, I had to part ways in order to get home and log in to Vélo Canada Bikes’ AGM where I was formally confirmed as one of their newest board members (and their Treasurer).
On the way home, I cut through York Cemetery which not only was a tight fit to get in, but the trails were rough with mulch and exposed tree root. Even with a gravel bike, I needed to hike my bike in some parts. It’s unfortunate the Bathurst Complete Street project won’t be completed all the way to Bainbridge Avenue (and Earl Bales Park) until 2029 per the project website.
The cemetery has a large dragon statue.
Going through Earl Bales Park was nice; especially when passing by the stormwater management pond.
Avenue Road is arguably one of the safer crossings of Highway 401 with edge lines that could arguably be wide enough for formal bike lanes.
Thanks Albert and Misha for organizing today’s Loop Trail and Scarborough Link rides! With the municipal election less than one month away, please ask your candidates to support both of these projects. Here's a photo Jun took of me as our two rides split off.
On a related note, Scarborough Centre council candidate Krissan Veerasingham issued the Scarborough Green Links proposal which calls for three north-south trails within the ward. Among these, the Warden Corridor is the only one called for in the 2025-27 bike plan which the status is still unknown, while the Dorset Park link would help build on the existing trail from Kennedy Station to The Meadoway. If there are other trail projects that are worth advocating for, please call them out! 😊
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