Sun, Apr 11 2010 - Sunday Afternoon Bike Ride by the Lake & Leslie Street Spit (about 26 kms) (View Original Event Details)
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This turned out to be a beautiful day for a bike ride by the lake! Things were a bit worrisome earlier in the week; it had been cold and rainy, so when Sunday dawned warm and sunny, there was much excitement.
We were very happy to welcome Letitia to ride; this was her first TOC event. Welcome to the club, Letitia!!
Thirteen of us were on this bike ride, and for many, it was the first longer ride of the season. We agreed that when we started off that it wouldn't be a race to see who was fastest, but to go at a moderate pace -- it was a Sunday afternoon, after all! We also agreed that if people in the group ended up riding at very different paces, that we could create a faster-paced group and a slower-paced group.
In the end, most of the group rode in a pack together, at around the same speed. The Event Coordinator did ride back in the opposite directions a few times to help the slower-paced group catch up, and to make sure that everyone was following the same path.
Since we were riding mostly in a larger group, we were able to have some good conversations about along the way. It was good fun to chat while cycling about a myriad of different things.
Once we arrived at the end of the Leslie Street Spit, we took a break for water and snacks. The break also allowed the slower-paced group to catch up. During the break, we were delighted to find a "kindly stranger" who took a photo of the group. Amusingly, he agreed to take one photo, and was quickly loaded with 3 different cameras! He obligingly took multiple photos for us, before he continued his walk along the spit.
We didn't seem much wildlife on the spit, but some people saw a beaver dam. There was also some conversation about whether the lighthouse on the spit is haunted? We knew there are stories about the lighthouse on Centre Island being haunted, but what about the one on the spit? If anyone does know, many in this bike group would love to know.
At a later break, on Ashbridges Bay, many began an impromptu chorus of bells -- by ringing our bike bells with rhythm to create little song. It was random, but we amused ourselves with this for a very short time.
After returning back to Union station, about half of the group decided to go out for food. We ended up at Scotland Yard, on The Esplanade for food and drinks, and enjoy some nourishment together before we headed off on our separate ways.
And finally, the statistics -- according to my bike computer, we were pedalling for just under 2 hours (not including breaks). Our average speed was 17 kilometres/hour, and we rode a total of 31 kilometres. It was a great way to start the spring biking season.
Thanks to everyone for a fun afternoon!
Have some photos from this event that you'd like to share in our photo album? Please forward them to Erik Sonstenes at photos@torontooutdoorclub.com. Please note that we prefer to receive the photos in approximately 640x480 or 750x500 pixels - do NOT send original high-res photos. If you have a LOT of photos, please submit up to twenty of your favorites (only) for a day event, or up to forty of your favourites for a multi-day event. Thank you.