Finch-Holland Marsh (103km)

28 06 2010

While the city of Toronto was burning and dealing with mobs of protesters, I was completing my training ride with the Friends for Life Bike Rally.

Not the greatest day for riding, but this fair weather rider braved the rain storm and rode out to Holland Marsh from Finch subway station.

The ride time improved drastically for this ride; I suspect mostly motivated by being cold and wet.

Still, the scenery along this ride does not disappoint – even on a rainy day. We rode through the town of Kettleby, where we usually stop for a quick break at the local bakery, and around the canal of Holland Marsh.

A few construction zones along the way left me covered in mud, but I made it back safely so can’t complain more than that.

No photos of this ride due to the weather, but more to come as this past weekend was also my back to back 100km rides!

Sent from my BlackBerry device.


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Categories : Friends for Life Bike Rally, Training Rides

Fundraising Update Only 8 Days Left

23 06 2010

A very big thank you goes out to all of my sponsors for helping me to reach $2700.00. With only 8 days of official fundraising remaining I’m sure that I will, with your support, be able to surpass my fundraising goal!

Dollars donated go directly towards supporting the Toronto People With AIDS Foundation (PWA). PWA is the largest direct service provider for people living with HIV/AIDS in Canada through Food, Health Promotion, Income Support and Treatment Support programs. Thousands of people living with HIV/AIDS use PWA’s programs every year.

Please consider visiting my fundraising page to make your pledge. I truly appreciate your support!


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Categories : Friends for Life Bike Rally, Fundraising

Hills & Skills Seminar

22 06 2010

Wednesday I attended the Hills & Skills Seminar, hosted by the Friends for Life Bike Rally and facilitated by Lucinda Wallace. Overall the seminar was very good and full of great tips for beginner to intermediate riders, maybe even some who think they are advanced.

We met at Sunnybrook Hospital and spent the first 45 mins going over theory and tips prior to heading into Sunnybrook Park for some practical experience on the bikes.

Lucinda did a great job of breaking down the tips and explaining how they will help every rider. One great exercise that everyone who attended is sure to be practising now was the single footed pedal; it really shows you how inefficient we as riders can be when not pedalling in proper form.

Here are a few of Lucinda’s tips:

1. Increase your cadence and use easier gears. A higher cadence is more efficient because you are engaging your cardiovascular system, which when trained can be near limitless, instead of the muscular system.

2. Pedal in circles. Mashing down on your pedals can cause damage to your knees; focus on form by pulling your heels backwards at 5 o’clock and then at 9 o’clock pull up and kick your feet over the top (pull your knee towards the handlebar).

3. Form. Climbing in a seated position uses less energy than standing and, over time, will strengthen your leg muscles.

Thanks to Lucinda for all the great tips and to the Bike Rally for coordinating! If you want to know more why not attend the next seminar this Wednesday, June 23rd @ 630pm.

Sent from my BlackBerry device.


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Categories : Friends for Life Bike Rally, Road Challenges, Training Rides

Yoga Bootcamp

14 06 2010

Yesterday I tried another class with Fireflow Yoga, this time Yoga Bootcamp. It was quite a difficult class for me since I only just started last week. This class, like my last, was led by Fireflow Yoga founder Jonathan Perlman.

The pace of the class was quite fast and very much like an aerobics class. I’m not all that sure that it was an appropriate level for me to attend, but I did what I could and got into the poses required, to the best of my ability. I suspect that the more time I spend practising, the more easily I’ll be able to do it.

I’m looking forward to trying out some additional classes this week, but think I’ll stick to beginner for now.

No ride to report on this weekend due to uncooperative weather here in Toronto, but Yoga was a nice way for me to keep active without cycling this week.


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Categories : Other Training

The BIG Meeting

9 06 2010

Last night was the Big Meeting for the Friend’s for Life Bike Rally. Joined by about 200 other riders and crew at the Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel in the Osgoode Ballroom, we learned all about what will be happening while on the rally, theme nights and all, and were even given a sneak preview of our jerseys.

The route looks to be pretty straight forward and I’m most looking forward to our night in Kingston where we ditch our tents for real beds at the dorms of Queen’s University.

The meeting was followed by a social at The London Tap House, 250 Adelaide St W, where the cocktails started flowing; a preview of the nights during the rally I’m sure!

I’m getting quite excited about the ride, it’s just a little more than a month until we depart Toronto!

The Big Meeting


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Fireflow Yoga

9 06 2010

Monday night was my very first yoga class ever… I know right? What was I waiting for?!?! I think I just found one of my favourite things! It’s the perfect thing to accompany my training, in the gym and on the road, and will help keep me nice and limber. I have started to notice that my leg muscles are getting very tight, which has been limiting my flexibility somewhat, since starting to cycle again.

The class was led by Jonathan Perlman, founder of Fireflow Yoga, and was quite intense, but in a very enjoyable way. Not too far into the class the sweat was dripping off my body. The teacher was involved with the class and made sure that everyone was in their proper poses and form – without straining or injuring. For anyone that has yet to try it, you definitely should – maybe even at Fireflow.

I’ve signed up for two weeks of sessions so I’ll be sampling their class offerings to determine whether it’s the right studio for me and seeing how much progress I can make. Now the only question is how many classes can I squeeze into one day? I’m totally addicted! Next class tomorrow!

Thanks Fireflow!


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Kennedy to Musselman 91km

8 06 2010

Saturday, a perfect day for riding, took us north, out of the east end, from Kenedy station to Musselman Lake for another great ride with the Friends for Life bike Rally. Again this week, I break the law along the way to photo document as I ride!

The sun was shining and the temperature was just right. The majority of this ride took us up Warden Ave, then into Aurora and across to Musselman Lake. The scenery along the way, as usual, did not disappoint. As I have mentioned previously, one of my favourite things about the training rides is that they take you into some really great and otherwise unknown areas… Who knew cottage country was this close to the city?!?!

Riding along side the lake is quite breath taking and there are some beatiful homes in this area, to weekend at anyway!

The Musselman ride offers a few glorious hills to climb along the way just to keep you on your toes!

Once at the lake we take a short break at the Cedar Beach Variety Store and each time we’re welcomed, with a smile, by the gentleman that works behind the counter.

Our route back into the city was changed slightly. Our usual route is only 87km, but, due to construction and a festival in Markham, we were forced to detour and head back the way we came.

Thanks again for visiting and a quick reminder to make your pledge! Please visit my fundraising page and show your support to Toronto PWA.

Next week is 97km from Kipling to Inglewood.


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Categories : Friends for Life Bike Rally, Training Rides


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