Spring Bike Ride by the Lake & Leslie Street Spit (about 26 kms) (4/18/2009)

From there, we'll follow this route:

1. Bike south for a short distance on Bay Street, and connect with the bike lanes on Queen's Quay.

2. Bike east to the multi-use pathway, and continue east to Cherry Street.

3. Travel south on Cherry Street, then east through Clarke Beach Park.

4. Enter Tommy Thompson Park, bike to the end of the Leslie Street spit, then back again.

5. Come out of the park, follow Leslie Street to Lakeshore Blvd East, and continue east along the multi-use pathway.

6. Bike into Ashbridge's Bay Park, and break for lunch at the lake!

7. Cycle out of the park, connect with the multi-use pathway on Lakeshore Blvd East, and travel west to Bay Street.

8. Bike north on Bay Street to return to Union station.

Most of the riding will be along paved or gravel bike lanes and multi-use pathways. The vast majority of the ride will be along flat routes, with very few steep hills! Also, Tommy Thompson Park is an urban wildlife environment, and home to many species of birds. Depending on what we see while biking through this park, there may be a few more stops to observe the wildlife.

We'll be moving at a somewhat moderate pace, with a few breaks along the way, since for some it may be the first bike ride of the season.

Since weather can be variable at this time of year, it's ideal to dress in layers.

We will be breaking for lunch partway through the ride, so you may wish to bring a bike lock with you to secure your bike while we eat.

TTC:

- take the Yonge/University/Spadina line to Union station

Car from the QEW/Gardiner (travelling eastbound):

-take the QEW eastbound, connecting to Gardiner Expressway eastbound

-take the Yonge/York/Bay exit

-follow York Street to Front St

-turn right on Front St to Union station (please see note on parking, below)

Car from the 401 (travelling westbound):

-exit from Highway 401 westbound onto the Don Valley Parkway (DVP) southbound

-follow the DVP to the Gardiner Expressway westbound and keep going west

-take the Yonge/York/Bay exit to the Lake Shore Blvd westbound lanes

-follow Lake Shore Blvd to York Street

-turn right on York Street northbound

-turn right on Front St to Union station (please see note on parking, below)

Car from the 401 (travelling eastbound):

-exit from Highway 401 southbound onto Highway 427

-follow Highway 427 onto the Gardiner Expressway eastbound

-take the Yonge/York/Bay exit

-turn right on Front St to Union station (please see note on parking, below)

Note on parking: If you are driving, please note that there is NO parking at Union station! There are paid parking lots in walking distance to Union. Some paid parking lots are on York St (between the Gardiner & Front St), and other paid parking lots are on Front St (west of Union station). If you will have your car, please allow enough time to find a parking lot, pay for parking, and still make it to the southwest corner of Front & Bay for a 10:00 AM departure!