Tonight I got out for my second mountain bike adventure in Toronto where there is some surprisingly (probably not for the locals) good singletrack to be found right in the city. I went out for a ride in the Don Valley with my sister and her husband and was pleased to find some fine trails up around the quarry at the Brickworks.
The view from the top of the quarry was fantastic and was especially satisfying after earning it with a steep ascent. I didn't take my camera along, as I've had enough camera trouble in the past, but if you get the chance, the view out over the city at dusk is remarkable. And, what goes better after a long ride than writing a review of one's tires.
Anyway, does anyone out there recommend a trail in Toronto, maybe a secret ride you've coveted but would be willing to share?
Comments
Cyn - September 7, 2004 11:30 am
Hey Daniel!
Lucky you. You don't have to go far to do some serious mtb-ing. I bought my Devinci off a guy who works at Hardwood Hills. I haven't been, but it sounds like a great place. I think its a short drive north toward Barrie.
Gordo - September 7, 2004 2:18 pm
Another route (although not 'real' mtn biking) is to start at the belt line at the Allen and ride to Mount Pleasant Cemetary. From the Cemetary, there are two ravines that start on the south side and end in the Don Valley (near the brick works?). You can take the one ravine south out of the Cemetary and the other North back into the cemetary.
Sounds like you may have been on the ravine trails already tho. The belt line and Cemetary are North of St Clair Ave. At the west end of the belt line near the Allen there is a paved path going north and south that you can take.
You cross the occasional road, but these trails are pretty quite and the best part is that I live near St Clair and Yonge, so they are close. :-)
Mark - September 7, 2004 8:02 pm
Hey Daniel, that's my ol' stompin grounds (lived at Bayview and Manor Rd). Just North of the Brickworks on Bayview past Eglinton by Sunnybrook Hospital you'll find a trail which leads from Mt. Pleasant crosses Bayview and keeps going through Sunnybrook park and North to East York. If you're willing to drive a few miles there are many, many more! See this if you haven't already. Enjoy.
Geof Harries - September 7, 2004 8:18 pm
Durham Forest (near Uxbridge; about 45 minutes east of Toronto which I believe are accessible via Hwy. 7) has an outstanding network of trails that can take hours upon hours to explore. Absolutely gorgeous this time of year. Kelso Consevation area near Missisauga is also nice and quite hilly. Ganaraska Forest, even further east, has hundreds of kilometres to check out.
geof
Gordo - September 8, 2004 8:42 pm
I was hoping no one would mention the Durham forest, it used to be pretty quiet around there, no more I guess. My parents used to live around the corner from the forest and I used to do my cross country running training there (plus the occasional bike).
Best is to fill up your water bottles at the free spring near Lakeridge ski resort, then take that road west to until it deadends. Then there are trail heads north or south from where the road stops.
Oh and watch out for horses on the trails. :-)
Lisa - September 17, 2004 11:00 am
Hi Daniel -- there's a trail (or perhaps several) through the Humber River Valley that's supposed to be good. The one I've heard about starts at the Lakeshore and goes north up to around Lawrence Ave. I haven't checked it out yet, so it's a second hand recommendation. And you probably know this, but there are free Toronto Bike Route Maps available in various stores around the city that indicate trails as well as street biking routes.
Caroline - May 23, 2005 8:42 am
I noticed that someone mentioned watching out for the horses.
May I add........WATCH OUT FOR THE PEDESTRIANS !!!!!
out walking with my little children, they almost got run over by bikes several times.
greg - November 10, 2005 11:20 pm
Helle Gordo : Another Durham Forest Fan on this end. Ive been cycling it for the past two yrs and havent seen it all as of yet. Looking for a detailed trail map In order to aviod private property to the south of the wall of pain.If you or anybody interested knows where to get please email or post .Many thanks in advance . Glen Major forest Just to the south offers some less traveled and more chalenging cycling as well.