It’s Ski Season! W · Weekend Trip Registration Deadlines: Sooner Than You Think! We have some...

December / February, 2001-2002Volume 19, Issue 5

Welcome to a new ski season! Once again, I'm lookingforward to lots of snow and some great skiing thiswinter. We kick off our Sunday trips at Highlands

Nordic (Duntroon) on January 6, so mark that date on yourcalendar. We will also visit Horseshoe, Hardwood Hills, WasagaBeach, Mansfield and Ganaraska before the season is out. This yearwe have added a moonlight ski at Horseshoe Valley on Saturday,January 26. With a full moon, conditions should be ideal! Comeand join us for some hot cider and good cheer around a roaringfire.

Our ski program is aimed at the recreational skier, so come onout and participate in this wonderfully invigorating winter activity—you can’t avoid winter, so enjoy it! We will travel in a warm andcomfortable coach in which you can relax, forget about the driving,watch some movies and meet other skiers.

Whether a long-time TBN member, or a newcomer, join us!Call the Hotline (416-760-4191, line 1) to reserve your spot on thebus, as well as get up-to-date information in case the schedulechanges due to snow conditions. Looking forward to seeing you onthe trails this year!

–Ian Tytler, V.P. Skiing

Let it Snow— It’s Ski Season!

TBN ANNUAL CHRISTMAS PARTY AT BA-BA-LÚUDoors open at 6:30, dinner is at 7:30 and there will be a freelatin dance lesson around 9:00 p.m. Join our happy throng andenjoy the fine food, and creative ambience of this upscale danceclub. Dinner includes a starter, choice of chicken or pasta entréeand dessert. Ba-Ba-Lúu is located at 136 Yorkville Ave. just eastof Avenue Rd. The cost is $30/members; $35 non-members, inadvance by cheque made payable to Toronto Bicycling Network,mailed by Nov. 30 to:

Ron Fletcher121 Victor Ave,Toronto, ON M4K 1A7

For more information call Ron, 416-461-9695.

Celebrate the Holiday Season on Wednesday, December 5

Weekend Trip Registration Deadlines:Sooner Than You Think!

We have some great winter weekend getawaysplanned, including:

NNeeww YYeeaarr’’ss aatt HHoollllyybbuurrnn LLooddggee Dec 30-Jan 1HHaalliibbuurrttoonn HHiigghhllaannddss Jan 18-20SSiilleenntt LLaakkee SSoojjoouurrnn Feb 1-3

But the sign-up deadlines are just around thecorner. Trip details and deadlines are on the backpage. Have a look and register now!

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Board of DirectorsPresident David Weil 416-762-9846Vice President, Skiing Ian Tytler 416-429-3846Vice President, Touring Dan Engels 416-429-6088Treasurer Doug Innes 416-252-7073Secretary Richard Budic 416-531-6328Social Director Ron Fletcher 416-461-9695Publicity & Promotions Shirley Yee 416-762-3608Education Director Loreto Manni 416-783-6953Weekend Trips Director Joshua Wolman 416-780-1683Director of Cyclon Anne Nikkel 416-532-0364Managing Editor QR Owen Rogers 416-232-0243

Everyone elseEasy Roller David Raine 416-234-9437Leisure Wheeler &Membership Secretary Alan Gordon 416-447-6586Tourist & Sportif & Webmaster Owen Rogers 416-232-0243Country Cruise & Saturday Shorts Rowena Maclure 416-487-1474Wednesday Wheelie Bill Hannaford 416-482-2125Wednesday Nights Ron Fletcher 416-461-9695Thursday Nights C. Julian Ward 905-683-9638Friday Night Ride John Tytler 416-445-6192Saturday Morning Ride &Inline Skating Martha Scott 416-443-0619Mountain Biking & Trail Rding Martin Habgood [email protected]

Dan Roitner [email protected] Spinning Manuela Gobbato 416-762-9846City Walks Mark Brousseau 416-466-4979Hiking Terry Davison 905-453-1952Ice Skating Molly Cheung [email protected] Toronto Cycling Committee Rep. Martin Koob [email protected] Announcer Kimberley Wetmore -

Quick ReleaseLayout Owen RogersAfter the Original Design by David Young

2 The Toronto Bicycling Network

Quick Release is published fivetimes a year. Members are encouragedto submit material for publication.Classified ads are free for members. Todiscuss a submission, call OwenRogers, Managing Editor at 416-232-0243 or e-mail [email protected].

For the Mar/Apr issue the deadline forsubmissions is Feb. 5.

We would prefer submissions be made digitally, so send ads/ stories/graphics to:[email protected] in one of the following formats:

text.txt, word.doc, wordperfect.wp

... and your graphics/photosin these ones:

.jpg, .eps, .gif

Analog submissions may still bemade by lettermail to:

Toronto Bicycling NetworkAttn: Editor, Quick Release131 Bloor Street West, Suite 200, Box 279, Toronto,Ontario, M5S 1R8

Moving? Moved?Send changes of address andcorrections to:[email protected] or leave amessage on Line 3,the Social & MembershipMailbox of the Hotline

Telephone 416 760-4191Website www.tbn.on.cae-mail [email protected](please specify intended recipient in the subject

field of your e-mail)

To best use TBN’s voice mail system, follow theseeasy steps.

441166--776600--44119911to go directly to the main menu.

From the main menu press...

1 cross-country skiing2 hiking, ice skating &

education events3 social events &

membership information 4 weekend trips,5 Cyclon 2002 information

Hotline tips:When in the Main Menu youcan make a selection at anytime, and you don’t have towait for the message to finish.

You can return to the mainmenu after making a choice, bypressing 2 at any time. Aftermaking a selection from themain menu, you can press 1 toleave a message related toyour Main Menu choice.

Please be sure to select theappropriate mailbox to leaveyour message in.

If you’re not sure where toleave your message, pleaseleave it in the Social &Membership mailbox (i.e. press3 from the main menu, thenpress 1)

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hhoo Molly Cheung

Joined TBN: 1997

Bike: Giant Peloton 8400 Road Bike

Ride Level:Tourist

While I am a very avid downhill andcross-country skier, I joined TBN tocycle. When I started with the club, I

rode a 12-speed Bianchi racer. After a few yearsof cycling 100 to 120 km every time I went for aride, I thought I needed a better bike to keep upwith the Tourists. I quickly learned getting a newbike attracts a lot of attention from otherTBNers. Many people came up to see my newbike with its dual control brake levers,aluminium alloy frame and clipless pedals.

Going clipless was a very scary thing! Theyear I bought my bike, I rode by myself for a fewrides before joining TBN rides. In the beginning,every time I rode, I fell at some point, andtwisted my handlebars out of alignment. Since Ibought my bike at D’Ornellas and the store wason my way home, I’d ride by the store and havethem straighten my handlebars. That summer, Igrew to know Eon D’Ornellas and his bike repair

membership

people really well! One day, Eon looked at me allpuzzled because I put masking tape over myhandlebars. I told him it was because my newshiny bike was getting all scratched from myfalls. I asked him when I would stop falling. Hetold me he still falls. Eon D’Ornellas, four-timeOlympian, still falls off his bike! Yeah, sure!

This is my third year on the bike, and I havenot fallen since that summer. Some people stillthink I just bought my bike, so I guess I couldnot have fallen as many imes as I thought—itjust felt like it.

After a one-year hiatus, I am happy to beback as TBN Ice-Skating Coordinator. I do notski on Sundays with TBN, but did participate inthe Millennium New Year’s trip with the cluband hope to do other weekend trips in thefuture. Since that means I will not be seeing youon the ski bus, I hope you will join me thiswinter for the Friday night skates!

Skiing and skating in the winter, cycling inthe summer with a great club like TBN, whatbetter life is there?

–Molly Cheung

Quick Release, December, 2001 3

AAddmmiinniissttrriivviiaaThe TBN Board has instituted a newpolicy concerning rubber cheques:members submitting cheques returnedNSF will now be charged $5 inaddition to whatever bank charges arelevied. Broad hint: repeat offendersmight want to consider the valuablevolunteer time already wasted on thisissue.

profile ramblingsTTrryy ttoo ppiiccttuurree tthheemm iinnyyoouurr mmiinndd......

Okay, it was bad enough that I didn’t showfor the TBN’s Fall Dinner Dance andAnnual General Meeting (first time in

seven years), but when I forgot to bring thecamera to the first Board Meeting of the newterm, to take the obligatory group shot of thenew Board for inclusion in this verypublication, I wouldn’t blame you if youthought I was trying to conceal something.

Well, as you can see from the list on pagetwo, we have in fact, managed to elect a fullBoard, with a President even, for the first timein three years. No shotguns were necessary,which means I suppose that people think thatvolunteering is a rewarding experience. Andthat, I think, is attributable to the people whoare already volunteers. In 2001, TBNvolunteers, your volunteers, organized over 450events. That is a remarkable achievement.

TThheerree’’ss nnoo pprriizzee,, bbuuttppeerrhhaappss tthheerree sshhoouulldd bbee......

If you’re wondering how to start and manage asuccessful program of activities, I give you thise-mail from Wayne Yeechong, concerning ourInline Skating Program:

“Now that the season is officially over, I mustsay I enjoyed it immensely. The least I can do isto commend Martha for the great program sheput together.“Let me figure out why the program was so

successful:● well-researched routes● support for beginners and connoisseurs alike● arrangement for lessons (Ron H. deservesmuch credit in his own right)

● research on equipment (the blades sherecommends are now affectionately known asMartha skates)

● emailing news to participants (proactivemarketing)

● providing links to informative articles● après blading (also thanks to the hosts: RonF., Peggy, and Veronica)● above all, enthusiasm, which is contagious

“Martha basically re-invented the program, allby herself. I seldom see this kind of creativity,dedication, and passion going into a program. Ifthere is a TBN achievement award of the year, Iknow where it belongs. Bravo.“Hope everybody will join us again next year...and spread the word.”

Martha, someone had to say it.

BBuutt ssttiillll nnoo ffaasstt ffoorrwwaarrddoorr rreewwiinndd......

And thank you, Rob Long, for seven straightyears of Hotline announcements. Having filledin a few times, I can say that recording thatmessage is not an easy task and I certainly can’timagine doing it week in, week out for sevenstraight seasons. Kudos, and good luck in thefuture.

—Owen Rogers

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WINTER MAY HAVE ONLY JUST ARRIVED,but planning for the 2002 CyclingSeason is already happening. As a

TBN member, what ideas do you have for thehundreds of day tripsscheduled for 2002? Do youlike the starting points,routes, and distances? Iwould encourage you tocommunicate your thoughtsto the ride coordinators for2002 (they are listed on page two) or myself [email protected]. The newsletter deadline forthe first set of 2002 rides is the end of January,so now is the time to express those thoughts!

TBN is run entirely by volunteers. A greatway to help out is to lead or sweep one or morerides, or develop a new ride route. You probablyhave seen leaders in action, and wondered “Whatis involved in becoming a ride leader?” Come andfind out at the new leaders’orientation sessionsscheduled for late March and early April. For2002, we will add an additional orientationsession in mid-May. More details on thesesessions will be in the next newsletter.

Enjoy the many TBN events this winter, andhere is to a full season of cycling in 2002!

–Dan Engels

Message from the 2002 VP Touring:

Leisure Wheelers Do It Again!

On September 30th the Leisure Wheelers hosted their third Metric Century. The weather wasideal for the waterfront trek from the Beaches to Oakville and back: sunny, not too hot, noheadwinds. Of the 28 riders who began, 21 completed the grind. As this was not a race against

the clock, no individual times were kept. Eight “aces”completed the circuit before the others, whofinished in a “leisurely”seven hours or so (plus lunch, snack, water and restroom time).

Congratulations and Metric Century patches go to:

Are YOU game to join them in 2002?

–Alan Gordon

Robert CantafioBrenda DeanEileen HarbinsonPat HardyJudy JonasBill Knowles

Mary KnowlesDemetrius KyrtatasPing Kong LaiShiu Ling LaiKaren MartinMegan McCrossan

Sandy McCrossanDave MoffatMike MurphyBrian PehoraBrenda PorterJoan Santiago

Bill SytsmaDoug SmithGary Tew

Those diehard Tourists gather at Finch Subway in late November, 2000 Ph

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VOLUNTEEROPPORTUNITIESCCoommppuutteerr WWiizz RReeqquuiirreeddbbyy CCyycclloonnYou will prepare Cyclon maps fromscans or MapArt CD, insert thedesignated routes, informationblurbs, and turn numbers into themaps and insert the graphicalrepresentation of turns into theroute instructions. You are theproud possessor of a computerwith Adobe Photoshop or somesimilar program. Reward: thegratitude of several hundred Cyclonparticipants.Contact: [email protected] or DougInnes, 416-252-7073

SSoocciiaall CCaalleennddaarr:: FFuurrtthheerrIInnppuutt RReeqquueesstteeddOur winter social schedule is by nomeans complete. Want to helporganize an evening of CosmicBowling, darts, mah-jhong, movies,theatre, slideshows, or that oldstandby, a billiards night? We needyour ideas—anything that’s fun fora group and gets people out of thehouse for the evening! Call Ron Fletcher, 416-461-9695

““BBooootthh BBuunnnniieess”” NNeeeeddeeddThe Toronto International BicycleShow will be held from FridayMarch 1 to Sunday March 3. Asalways, TBN will be there, kickingoff our annual membership drive.We need lots of help staffing ourbooth over those three days and itshould go without saying thatpromoting the club is a great wayto meet new people! If you’d like tohelp out at the bike show or areinterested in working on anyPublicity and Promotions Projects(Bike Week, Ride for Heart) over thecoming year, contact Shirley Yee,416-762-3608.


Year-end Note fromthe 2001 Easy RollerCoordinator:

Spring, summer, and fall 2001 werefantastic for TBN's Easy Roller program.We started out with a 20km ride on April

1, and concluded (weather permitting!) with a35km ride on November 11—the latest we havegone in any year. Altogether, we ran 31 Sundayrides ranging from 20km to 75km in length andadded five new routes to our ride inventory.Thanks very much to Carrie Hilhorst, Joe Lee,and Ron Horton for helping develop these newrides.

Also, a BIG thank you to the 14 volunteertourleaders who lead the rides: Dan Camposano,Ron Horton, Joe Lee, Carol Finnie, CarrieHilhorst, Eugene Kwong, Shirley Clunas, BillEspin, Ian Tytler, Ron Horton, Kay Farrell,David Raine, Howard Chan, and Carl Friesen.We could not have done it without you!

Dan Engels, Eugene Kwong, Shirley Clunas, Ron Horton, David Raine, Dan Camposano, Joseph Lee

After two years of coordinating Easy Rollerrides I thought someone with a fresh approachshould take on this role. David Raine, who manyof you know, and who has led many Easy Rollerrides in 2000 and 2001, has graciously agreed tobecome our new Easy Roller Coordinator.Thanks, David!

To all the Easy Rollers at TBN, thanks forcoming out on the rides, thanks for yourcomments, and we will see you on more rides in2002!

–Dan Engels

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BBiiggggeerr aanndd BBeetttteerr iinn 22000011

Now that the official riding schedule isover, I can reflect on a very successfulseason as my co-coordinator, Martin

Habgood and I continue to build this program,now in its second year. We generally had 10 to 15riders at any given event—sometimesmore—drawn from a pool of about 40 off-roaders. No major injuries to report, but youhad to wonder sometimes.

Rides alternated between Saturdays andSundays every second week. Unofficial events ranon the other weekends for those eager to get out,making it possible to ride every weekend thisseason. To be fair to everyone, locationsalternated from one side of town to the otheracross the top of the city. New venues wereintroduced and old favourites revisited. Wetackled some mean hills, jumped some fat logs

trackstrailsupdateand

and, most importantly, made some great friends.Looking ahead to next season, I can see an

official ride scheduled every weekend. In thespring, we hope to establish a few beginner rideswith instructional clinics. This will help bringthe skills of the interested, but inexperienced, tothe level of the ‘regulars’.

We also hope to organize a few weekend trips

farther afield.Finally, remember as you are cross-country

skiing the trails this winter: we might haveridden them.

Yeehaw!

–Dan RoitnerMTB Co-Coordinator

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SUNDAY

SKISCH

EDULE2

002

NOTE: Schedule is tentative only, and may change depending on weather and snow conditions. Please listen to the TBN hotlinefor weekly updates. Skiing will continue into March depending on conditions

For snow conditions, all of the resorts, with the exception of Ganaraska, have websites. Check the link from the TBN crosscountry web page. If you don't have web access, snow conditions in the 416 & 905 areas are available at 416–314–0960.

FS Full service including waxinghut, food services & chalet

PS Partial service, includingwaxing hut, warm-up areas &snack bar

L Lessons offered by theresort. Must be pre-bookedby the individual.

Bus pick-up locations + times

Victoria Park (Victoria Park Station) 9:00 a.m.

Yonge & Bloor (Metro Reference Library) 9:20 a.m.

Yonge & Eglinton (southeast side) 9:30 a.m.

Yonge & York Mills (south of York Mills) 9:45 a.m.

Date Destination Trail Type Trail Facilities Trail Rental +

Length (km) Fees Trail Fees

Jan. 6 Highlands Nordic GC, SK 16 FS, L $9 $21Jan. 13 Hardwood Hills GC, SK 45 FS, L $14 $34Jan. 20 Wasaga Beach GC, SK 30 PS, L $5 $20Jan. 26 Horseshoe Valley GC, SK 35 FS, L $9 $23

(Moonlight Ski)

Feb. 3 Mansfield GC, SK 40 FS, L $10 $24Feb. 10 Ganaraska GC 35 PS $8 no rentalsFeb. 17 Hardwood Hills GC, SK 45 FS, L $14 $34Feb. 24 Horseshoe Valley GC, SK 35 FS, L $9 $23

Mar. 3 Wasaga Beach GC, SK 30 PS, L $5 $20

Cross country (or Nordic)skiing is an ideal aerobicactivity to compliment

your cycling. To register for theSunday trip you must call theTBN ski hotline beforeThursday 10:00 p.m. Phone416-760-4191, line 1 and followthe directions. Alternatively,you can register by email [email protected] by giving the

trip date, your name, your pick-up point, telephone number,TBN membership number andwhether you require rentals.The bus fare is $17.00 and thetrail fee will depend on thedestination. The bus fee shouldbe paid by cheque, madepayable to the `TorontoBicycling Network’. Trail feesmust be paid in cash. A $12.00

no-show penalty will becharged to people who registerbut don’t turn up. If you do notregister, the walk-on fee is$22.00. For non-members, thebus fee is $22.00. Make sureyou call the Hotline on Fridayand Saturday for updates. Anychanges will be stated at thebeginning of theannouncement.

Interesting idea, Conrad, but I think I’ll keep following thoseneat little tracks in the snow instead...

Facilities:

Conditions:GC Groomed Classic Trails SK Skating Trails

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COMESKATEW

ITHUS!

Kick off the skating season, Friday,December 14, with a skate underthe Festival of Lights at Nathan

Phillips Square! We will skate if iceconditions are good and then head offto dinner at a nearby restaurant. Ifconditions are poor, we will go straightto dinner. Meet Molly Cheung at 6:30p.m., next to the snack bar. Skate rentalavailable. This is the only skate

scheduled for the busy month ofDecember.

Regular Friday outings commencethe first week in January and willcontinue through February and possiblyinto March, depending on the weather.We will visit a different rink each week,skate for about 90 minutes and thenhead to a nearby restaurant. Skatinggets started at 6:30 p.m. Please check

the Hotline, website or weekly Chain ofEvents email for rink locations anddirections.

So get those edges sharpened,bundle up and join us for another funseason of skating and socializing.

—Molly Cheung, Ice SkatingCoordinator

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FRIDAY NIGHT ICE SKATING

You’ve worked hard all seasonto get in shape and now, asthe weather gets colder,

you’re looking for a way to keepthat fitness for ski season. Orperhaps you have a mid-wintercycling vacation planned. Or maybeyou’re just looking for a way to geta head start on all the other cyclistsnext spring!

Come and join your fellow TBNmembers for an invigorating

workout with Kim Chan, thespinning instructor at the AdelaideClub in First Canadian Place.Spinning classses provide themotivation of a group workout,while allowing you to adjust theresistance on your bike according toyour own fitness level. Thesoundtrack of popular tunes,playing in the background, makes iteasy to keep those legs moving.

The Adelaide Club offers TBN

members a great deal, at $65+GSTfor the 8-week session. You can joinhalfway through a session for only$32.50+GST (space permitting).

For more information about theclasses and the exact location, pleaseconsult the TBN websitewww.tbn.on.ca/spinfaq or [email protected]

–Manuela GobbatoTBN Spinning Coordinator

TBN Spinning at the Adelaide Club

UUSSEE IITT OORR LLOOSSEE IITT!!


CCyycclliinngg tthhrroouugghh IIrreellaanndd

This past October, I made my first visit toIreland. For me, it was the fulfillment ofa decade-long growing fascination with

Irish music, dance, history, landscape andculture. After making the decision to go thisyear, I thought of how I would spend my time in

Ireland, and resolvedto spend about aweek touring bybicycle. I waspropelled in thisdirection mainly bymy reading of‘Ireland, a Bicycleand a Tin Whistle’ byDavid Wilson, a

professor of Celtic studies at University ofToronto. It is an often witty, often insightfuland thoroughly enjoyable account of theauthor’s journey on a bicycle around Ireland. Inplanning for this trip, I received from the Irishtourist office information about organizedcycling tours. However, my trip in October wasout of season for these tours, which obliged meto organize my own tour.

I made Galway my base of operations, andarranged to rent a bicycle for about a week. Thefirst day with the bicycle (a Tuesday) I took iteasy, cycling around the city and the nearbycountryside, getting my bearings and gettingacclimated with riding on the left side of theroad. Galway is a small city compared toToronto. The distance from city center to thecountryside can be traversed in half an hour bybicycle at a moderate pace.

Wednesday I set off for Clonbur, about 30

““TThhee ppeeooppllee wweerreeffrriieennddllyy ttoo mmee::ffaarrmmeerrss,, rrooaaddwwoorrkkeerrss aanndd eevveennssoommee mmoottoorriissttssggrreeeetteedd mmee aass IIppaasssseedd tthheemm oonntthhee bbiiccyyccllee..””

favourite _

Andrew and one of the locals at Clonbur

Keep up to date: get all thedetails of the next seven days’events published directly to yourinbox every Tuesday bysubscribing to TBN’s weeklyelectronic bulletin, Chain ofEvents Update. Also included aretrip and social event information,civic affairs news, and a mini-calendar of significant events ofinterest to our members comingin the months ahead. You’ll alsofind links to the latest itemsposted to our messageboards, soyou can pounce on those Buy &Sell items with a singlemouseclick.

Subscribe by following thesethree simple steps:

Step One: Send a blank e-mail to:[email protected] Two:A few minutes later you willreceive an automated replyasking you to confirm yoursubscription by clicking on a linkin the email. Click that link!Step Three:There is no step three! Seriously,just close your browser andignore all that other stuff Topicawants you to do.If you have any problems orquestions, email [email protected].

STAY IN THE LOOP: >

Carry TBN in your palm! Ever wished you could carry the TBN website in your Personal Digital Assistant (PDA)? Now you can with TBN'smobile edition web page. Get the latest information for the week'sevents downloaded into your Palm Pilot or Windows CE deviceusing Avantgo software. If you don't have the software, it's a freedownload from www.avantgo.com. Once you've installed thesoftware, subscribe to the TBN mobile edition web page atwww.tbn.on.ca/mobile and you'll get the latest TBN informationevery time your sync your PDA. Thanks to our new EducationDirector, Loreto Manni, for suggesting this.

Subscribe to TBN Chain of Events Update

Velotique is offering freeSaturday morning ski waxingclinics starting in December.Waxing self-sufficiency is thegoal and the clinics covereverything from selecting simplewaxes, cleaning and application,to more advanced topics such asbase prep and repair.The basic clinics are scheduledfor Dec.1 , Dec. 8, Jan. 5, Jan. 12,Jan. 19. One advanced isscheduled for Jan. 26. All clinics

start at 9:00 a.m. sharp and lastfor one hour. Parking is availableand it is not necessary to bringyour skis.Velotique is located at 1592Queen St E., just one block westof Coxwell Ave. Space is limited,so register early by calling Saulor Bev, Velotique, 416-466-3171,email [email protected], fax416-465-8156 or drop by tosecure your place.

Ski Waxing Clinics at Velotique

TBN CHAIN OF EVENTS MOBILE EDITION


destinations miles north of Galway. It was the first time Ihad cycled with a bicycle loaded down with fullpanniers, so by the time I hit the last, slightlyhilly stretch of roadmy legs were tired.As well, my legswere still recoveringfrom the previousnight of Irish setdancing. However,after about anhour’s rest at thebed & breakfast inClonbur, I wasready for morecycling. Withoutthe panniers, thebicycle seemed aslight as a feather.The next day I setoff on thecenterpiece of my tour—cycling around LoughMask, north of Clonbur. The wind was oftenblustery that day, but fortunately it was at myback when I traversed a hill pass along the route.The route then passed through the village ofTourmakeady on the west shore of the lake, andI took some time out from the main road toexplore the ruins of an old church, and a naturetrail leading to a lovely waterfall.

The next day I returned to Galway fromClonbur. It was the day that the fate that awaitsall Irish bicyclists caught up to me: a light mistin the early morning turned into steady rain bymid-day, and I became thoroughly soaked.Fortunately I had a dry set of clothes in my

panniers, which I changed into early thatafternoon at the bed & breakfast in Galway. Therest of the day was given over to the pleasures of

Galway on a Fridayafternoon: theshopping, the buzz ofpeople in the streets,the music in the streetsand in the pubs, andthe Guinness.

For my last day ofcycling in Ireland, Itook the ferry toInishmore, the largestof the Aran Islands.The island is studdedwith ancientmonuments: pre-Christian stone forts,stone ‘beehive’hermit

huts and the ruins ofold churches. It was a delight to tramp throughthe countryside to explore these sites, using thebicycle to get from site to site.

All in all, I found cycling in Ireland to bequite enjoyable. The weather, though often wetand sometimes windy, was perfect temperature-wise, and did not hamper my plans. A

combination of good maps and (with a fewexceptions) good signposting made navigationeasy. The people were friendly to me: farmers,road workers and even some motorists greetedme as I passed them on the bicycle. The majorchallenge for me was the narrowness of theroads. Often, a mere eight inches of pavedshoulder was provided, girding lanes thatprovide scant margin between traffic in oppositedirections. Vehicle traffic was frequent, andobliged me to steer my bicycle carefully alongthe narrow shoulders.

The aspect I most enjoyed about the trip wasthe sense of accomplishment. The success of thetour was the result of planning andpreparation. No particular task was in itselfdifficult. The information needed to plan thetrip was available from the Internet, inbookstores and from the Irish tourist bureau.Preparation for the trip was just a matter ofattention to detail, like clothing, accessories andaccommodation. However, they paved the wayfor a relatively trouble-free tour, and it is with asense of pride that I think back on myaccomplishments whilst cycling in Ireland.

—Andrew Tron

Finny River Valley, Co. Mayo. Lough Nafooey is in the foreground

Ruins of an old church, Tourmakeady, Co. Mayo

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c i v i c a f fa i

As the cycling season winds down for someof us, the members of the TorontoCycling Committee (TCC) are entering a

new season—budget season. We play the gameunder the other dome, at Toronto City Hall. Itstarts in September and shouldfinish in March with theapproval of the final citybudget. At stake for the TCC isthe funding for the Bike Planprojects for the year 2002.

City staff start the ballrolling as each departmentprepares their budget. The TCCis mainly concerned with thebudgets of the Works andEmergency Services Department(WES), the Parks and Recreation Division of theEconomic Development Culture and TourismDepartment (EDCT) and with that of UrbanDevelopment Services (UDS). WES is responsiblefor bike lanes and signed routes, as well as othercycling infrastructure such as bike parking. WES

will also build some of the off road paths alongboulevards, and hydro and rail corridors. EDCTis responsible for bike paths in parks and theUDS budget pays for Bike Week, the Road andTrail Ambassador program, the administration ofCanBike courses, and other bicycle safety andpromotion programs.

At the time of this writing the WES, EDCTand UDS department budget submissions are not

public, so I cannot give the finalfigures here. The staff report thataccompanied the Bike Plan, projects2002 expenditures of $1.5 millionfor WES capital projects, $1.0million for EDCT capital projectsand $450,000 for operatingexpenses. That last figure breaksdown to $300,000 for projectsunder the UDS budget and$150,000 for other operating costsincluding the production of the

Bike Map, an annual cycling guide, surveys andresearch, and Bike and Ride transit programimplementation. Again, I do not have the finalnumbers, but I will update the BikeTorontomessage board (www.tbn.on.ca/biketoronto)when they become available.

In developing its budget submission, WEShas presented the TCC with a list of about 40priority projects for 2002. Many of theseprojects are small scale, easier to do and lessexpensive—mostly bike lanes and signed routes.There are a few larger projects—boulevard andcorridor paths—proposed, but these need timeto get the necessary planning and approvalsdone. In this, the first year of the bike planimplementation, there has not been the lead-timeto be ready to start construction next year.However, there is money in the proposed WESbudget for 2002 to begin planning some of theselarger projects, for construction in future years.In the planning stages, for example, are a bikepath in the Finch Hydro Corridor from BlackCreek to the East Don River, and a continuationof the bike lane on Royal York Rd. from DundasSt. to Lakeshore Blvd. I will not list all of theprojects here, but I will post details as I get themto the BikeToronto message board.

There will be opponents on City Council todirecting this money toward cycling and the BikePlan projects. Fortunately, the budget planningexercise is not a spectator sport and there aremany opportunities for audienceparticipation—you do not have to sit on the

Martin Koob

Toronto Bike Plan Budget: The Game Begins

As the year wraps up, the TBN would liketo extend whole hearted thanks to themany businesses whose generosity

contributed to the success of this year’s events. Itis wonderful to see that businesses such as theselisted here are willing to make donations whichassist the TBN by adding value to clubmembership, and by putting smiles on a few extrafaces.

The Cardioloft donated spinning classes andUrbane Cyclist donated cycling related items forthe “Prize Pack”given to a lucky new clubmember at the Toronto International Bike Showin March.

For Cyclon 2001, the Cardioloft donated$250 cash toward the Cyclon 2001 souvenir

waterbottles. Sporting Life donated $250 in giftcertificates; FitFix Health and Wellness donated$200 in personal training sessions; Velotique,Chain Reaction Bicycles, Mountain EquipmentCo-op, Wakefield B&B and Inn the Woods B&Bdonated a variety of items—all of which weregiven as prizes at the Cyclon Banquet and Dance.Bell Mobility donated cell phone equipment andservice for the Cyclon Bike Bus.

Draw prizes at the Annual Fall Dinner Danceand AGM came from FitFix Health andWellness, who donated $200 in personaltraining sessions, and Cyclepath (Yonge andEglinton) who donated a $150 gift certificate.

Norco offered a number of items at cost thatwere given away at a variety of

events—remember those patch kits handed outwith your burger at the BBQ?

The TBN would like to extend specialrecognition and appreciation to the people atUrbane Cyclist, especially Nancy Kendrew, forgraciously handling TBN jersey sales for the pasttwo years.

THANK YOU to all of you for yourgenerous contributions to our club and for beingso TBN-Friendly!!

–Brenda Porter

Psssst..... Club members: next time you drop byone of the shops and businesses noted here,consider giving an extra smile and thanking themfor supporting TBN as you walk out the door withyour purchases.

Thank You TBN-Friendly Businesses!


sidelines. The budgets of the City Departmentsgo to the Budget Advisory Committee inNovember. From there, they move to the variousstanding committees for review. At the standingcommittees, there will be opportunities forresidents of Toronto to make deputations to thecommittees. You can also make your views known

at this time bywriting to thecommittee or bycontacting yourlocal Councillor.

The respectivestandingcommittees willreview theirdepartmentalbudgets inJanuary of 2002.The WES budgetwill go to the

Works Committee and deputations will occur onJanuary 15th and 22nd. The EDCT budget goesto the Economic Development and ParksCommittee. Deputations will occur on January21st and 25th. The UDS budget goes to thePlanning and Transportation Committee. The

deputations will occur on January 14th and18th. Each of these committees hearsdeputations over two days on a number ofdifferent items. (Right now we do not know theexact dates and times that the Bike Plan itemswill come up for discussion. As those dates drawnear, I will post more information on theBikeToronto message board.)

The standing committees may modify theproposed budgets. They may cut funding andprojects that staff have proposed. This is thestage where last year the funding for the TCC andcycling projects was inadvertently cut.(Thankfully, funding was restored later in theprocess.)

These revised budgets then go to the BudgetAdvisory committee. It meets jointly with thePlanning and Finance Committee and hearsanother round of deputations on February 18.They can make changes to the budgets andrestore funds cut at the standing committees or

cut funds formerly approved by the standingcommittees.

The budget then goes to the special CityCouncil budget meeting from March 4-8. This isthe last opportunity to make changes and wherethe final budget is set.

It will be a challenge to get all of the fundsfor the Bike Plan approved. The members of theTCC will be working to make the case for theseprojects, but we need your help. Letters,telephone calls and e-mails from constituentscarry a lot of weight in councillors’offices.Deputations before standing committee meetingsby members of the general public show that thereis public support for these projects. If I can wearout my sports analogy with one last cliché, this isgoing to be a team effort.

–Martin KoobTBN-TCC Representative

“There will beopponents on CityCouncil...Fortunately, thebudget planningexercise is not aspectator sportand there are manyopportunities foraudienceparticipation.”

Useful Resources on the World Wide WebBiketoronto Messageboard: www.tbn.on.ca/biketorontoToronto Cycling Committee: www.city.toronto.on.ca/cyclingToronto Bike Plan: www.city.toronto.on.ca/cycling/bikeplan.htmVelo-Ontario www.velontario.ca

Velo-Ontario is a new, non-profit organizationcreated as an advocate for bicycle safety,education and facilities, with a mission topromote the interests of Ontario cyclists.Ongoing projects include development of aProvincial Cycling Route Network—an ideaany touring cyclist can get behind. Velo-Ontariohopes to become the new voice for recreationaland utilitarian cyclists in the Province, takingover from the Ontario Cycling Association whichhas concerned itself primarily with competitivecycling pursuits in recent years.

This group of volunteers, drawn mainlyfrom regional cycling advocates and CanBikeadherents, has held five meetings since its

Velo-Ontario: Quietly Building Momentum

r s r e p o r t

travel an average of five miles a day, five days aweek, 50 weeks a year. Racks up to about 2,500miles per bike. I have no gas costs, no license andregistration fees, no insurance premiums, noparking tickets, no taxi fares, no inspectionpayoffs, nothing except the expense of myentirely disposable adipose tissue. I have noproblem with the theft of my bike on a fairlyregular basis. I think of it as a kind of indirectmunicipal tax."

From 'The Bicycle Thieves'by Tony HendraForbes FYI Fall 2001

–submitted by Doug Innes

inaugural session in St. Catharines in 1999,covering venues in Toronto, London andHamilton. The next meeting is scheduled inToronto on Saturday Feb. 9, 2002. Meetings areopen to all interested parties, although there isusually a conference fee to help cover the cost offacility rental and refreshments. Exact time,location and agenda are still to be determined.Look for an update on the Velo-Ontario website: www.velontario.ca, or in TBN Chain ofEvents Update. –Ed.

CCyycclliinngg EEccoonnoommiiccss iinn NNYYCC

"Well, my bike got stolen again. This was bike#15. That is, the 15th bike I've had stolen inabout 30 years. Roughly one bike every twoyears. Not bad really. Not for New York City. I

With bicycle serving as steedAnd Cliff bar serving as feed,Each started the hourWith lots of horse-power,And did all that the Map decreed.

A few, for hills, did pine;And all, for vista divine.Quinte Isle was glorious;No hill was notorious —A gear in time saves nine.

The Wicked Wind of the WestWas here at someone’s behest.Tempest in a tea-cup;Forty-two saddled up.Poly-Lycra was put to the test.

Everyone sampled the harvest —Pumpkins full, fuller, fullest.Then fireplaceAnd cozy spaceAnd pillows at Bed-n-Breakfast.

For some, Cider: new venture,For others, a truffle adventure.Things antiqueAnd ‘artistique.’Thanks to Brenda Porter.

—Frank Remiz

Revolutions In Rhyme

Prince Edward CountyThanksgiving B&BReport Poem

DDeecc 3300--JJaann 11:: NNeeww YYeeaarr''ssEEvvee aatt HHoollllyybbuurrnn LLooddggeeCome spend New Year's Eve in a rustic butcomfortable lodge in the heart of the Muskokas.If you like skiing, skating, singing, dancing,games, fireplaces, hot tubs, good food and greatcompany, then this is the trip for you. Cost:$170/members; $180/non-members, whichincludes two nights accommodation and allmeals. Cheques must be received by Dec. 14.Contact David Maclean, 416-482-8033;[email protected]

JJaann 1188--2200:: HHaalliibbuurrttoonnHHiigghhllaannddss SSkkii WWeeeekkeennddHaliburton Highlands boasts Ontario's biggestand best Nordic Ski System featuring over 80km of world class cross-country ski trails. TheWigamog Inn, a full service resort, is beautifullysituated at the trail's edge and on the shores ofKashagawigamog Lake west of Haliburton.Ski, skate, soak in the whirlpool, enjoy a brew atthe bar or curl up with a book in front of thewoodburning stone fireplace. Come early Fridayto enjoy an extra day of skiing for only the costof a trail pass (optional).Cost: $189 for members and $199 for non-members (shared occupancy), which includestwo nights accommodation, two breakfasts, twodinners, 1 day pass to ski trails, plus free accessto indoor pool, whirlpool, sauna, skating,billiards, and more. Ski rentals available for anadditional $15 per day. Downhill skiingavailable at Sir Sams Resort 20 minutes driveaway. Cheques must be received by December 27,2001.Contact: Brenda Porter 416-694-3272;[email protected]

MMaarr 88--1100:: WWiinntteerr WWeeeekkeennddaatt HHoollllyybbuurrnn LLooddggeeRustic Hollyburn Lodge, in the heart of theMuskokas, is one of TBN's favourite destinations.Spend the weekend in the company of friendswhile enjoying the cross-country skiing, iceskating, roaring fireplace and steaming hot tub!The cost is $140 ($150 for non-members) for twonights stay, double occupancy. All meals areincluded, and will be prepared by the Lodge'sfriendly staff. Limited space available.Contact:Trish King, preferably by email:[email protected]; 519-826-0010.

FFeebb 11--33::SSiilleenntt LLaakkee SSoojjoouurrnnEnjoy the natural beauty and tranquillity of thesouthern Haliburton region. We'll be staying atthe Old Pine Lodge located in Silent LakeProvincial Park, with 56 km of groomed trailsat your doorstep. Meals not included. Saturdaydinner will be a group effort. Cost: $95members/$105 non-members. Cheques must bereceived by Jan. 18. Includes two nightsaccommodation at the lodge, trailpass, eveningbonfire with hot beverages, night skiingexpedition with headlamps, singing, dancingand good times! Ski and snowshoe rentalsavailable.Contact: Ron Fletcher, 416-461-9695.

Weekend Getaways

They don’t organizethemselves!Every year TBN offers over a dozenaffordable, high-quality trips to its members.Over the next two months, we will be pullingtogether our schedule for spring and summer2002. If you want to help organize one ofour existing trips or have an idea forsomething new and different, contact JoshuaWolman, Weekend Trips Director, 416-780-1683; [email protected].

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