News
Cycling on Toronto Island
Toronto Island is a great place to enjoy riding your vintage CCM bicycles. It is the largest automobile-free community in North America, so riding is care-free and safe. You can take a ferry to the west end at Hanlan's Point, cycle across the length of the island and return on the Ward's Island ferry at the eastern end. Along the way, at Centre Island you can ride around the fountains or stop for a slice of pizza. I like to ride around the marina checking out the boats. If you are cycling with kids you can entertain them at the amusement park, rent a canoe, or go swimming at the centre Island or Ward's Island beaches and build a sand castle. Continuing east, at Ward's Island you have lunch or dinner at the Rectory Cafe, which has a beautiful patio, or a hotdog, coffee or ice cream at the Island Cafe. My 1951 Balloon Tire Motorbike is perfect for absorbing the bumps while riding along the boardwalk at the south eastern end. if you're from out of town you can even sleep overnight in one of several bed & breakfasts on Ward's Island.
If this sounds like a tourism ad that's just because I love this place so much, so I thought I'd recommend it to everyone. I spend my summers here and even got married in the church on Centre Island last year. I have sometimes thought this place would be great for a vintage bike meet that includes riding as well as the usual show and flea market. Finally, another great thing about riding your vintage coaster brake bike here is that it's flat! - no hills to worry about!
I have attached some photos of my 1951 CCM that I was riding this afternoon, and I think I will use this space to add more island vintage cycling photos later. If you ever do come here with your bike, send me an email and we can meet up for a chat about old bikes. -Brian R.
Brian
That would be a great place to have a group ride some Weekend next year spring or summer fall. have a place to meet and then take the ferry over have a ride then lunch or what ever. i have been over there some time ago biking with my kids on modern bikes.
I would be down for a meet and ride over there. I've never made it over too the island before, sounds like fun.
A group ride would be fun. I could organize it. The vintage bike show in Trinity Bellwoods Park is always held on a Sunday in late July. We could plan a ride for the Saturday of the same weekend so people from out of town can catch both events. At the eastern end of the island, we could meet up for refreshments and an informal "show and shine" after the ride. Anyone who thinks they might come, express your interest here!
Toronto Island post #2: This is my '67 Centennial on Ward's Island. In another thread I was asking about white wall tires. The only tires I could find in 28" are the Schwalbe Century, which is a nice match with the name Centennial. They're more cream than white but look ok with the gold paint. The decals have seen better days but with the Duomatic 2-speed hub it's perfect for the downhill trip towards the lake and the uphill on the way home. Canada's Sesquicentennial is coming up, which means this bike, kind of like me, is almost 50.
In the background is the clubhouse of Queen City Yacht Club. It was built in 1922, after their clubhouse on the cityside fell into the harbour after the city did a little too much dredging.
I have a 1951 motorbike just like that. Unfortunately its missing the fenders and the paint is touched up a bit, not all original paint. I still love it though. Just cleaned it up really nice, rides great!
Im in Vancouver now but I used to live in Richmond Hill, I remember going to Center Island with the family.
Thanks for the nice pictures!
Paul.