July 20, 2024

July 2024 Ride The Meadoway

This morning, about 75 people took part in “Ride the Meadoway” which was hosted by Toronto East Cyclists, Scarborough Cycles, and Regenesis Cycle UTSC. Bike Share Toronto provided some bikes for those who needed them, while Patty Time served some Jamaican beef patties and vegetarian samosas. Let’s reflect on what happened during the ride.

By the time I got there at around 9:45 AM, a sizeable crowd had already gathered at the Wexford Hydro Park parking lot which marked the starting point.

Jonathan Schmidt of Toronto East Cyclists welcomed everyone to the ride. The group started in response to the removal of the Birchmount and Pharmacy bike lanes in 2011.

David Smith – the PC MPP for Scarborough Centre – was wearing a Raptors jersey and greeted the attendees before heading to some other engagements that day.

After Marvin Macaraig, Wesley with Bike Share Toronto talked about the expansion of bike share into Scarborough and spoke again at Thompson Park.

Kevin Rupasinghe was able to get a drone shot of everybody.

Shortly past the starting point, I recorded a video of the ride which I counted 63 cyclists excluding myself.

Jamie Stuckless – who runs Stuckless Consulting – came from Hamilton for the ride and was helping with bike share engagement. She is second from left in this photo.

Given the large number of participants, it wasn’t possible to get everyone across in one light cycle as with this crossing at Warden Avenue. This was a deliberate choice by the organizers to show respect for the rules of the road, while other rides of a similar size would have seen some corking to get everyone through.

The stretch between Crockford and Birchmount was recently paved which was gravel the last time I rode it in April.

A brief stop at Givendale Allotment Gardens which some people provided suggestions on where bike share stations should be placed in Scarborough. I suggested the Finch Hydro Corrido which will more likely be done next year.

The double switchback past the Stouffville GO line (and former TTC Line 3) was filled with bikes.

At Thompson Memorial Park, we stopped at a recently installed bike share station at Lawrence and Brimley; one of the first along The Meadoway. Hafeez Alavi – who’s doing an internship with Bike Share Toronto this summer and studies at the University of Waterloo – helped design Scarborough’s bike share stations and he mentioned on the ride back how several of them such as at Markham and Bellamy Roads would be put in over the next couple of weeks.

Time for beef patties!

Unfortunately, my front tire was flat while getting out of the park, but I did bring a spare inner tube and got some help from Jennie Worden and fellow Community Bikeways member Mark Fernandez. It’s these times which show the community side of cycling when riders get hit with some problems.

Instead of the winding switchbacks, Jennie, Mark, and I took Military Trail to catch up with the group at the roundabout near Neilson Road. One thing I’ll warn you is the uphill at Military Trail is a lot steeper than the switchbacks and is only recommended for more seasoned cyclists.

Here is the group gathered at the roundabout.

Someone from the Toronto & Region Conservation Authority was talking about The Meadoway and fielded some questions. The part crossing the Stouffville GO line will go out for tender later this year, while work on the Military Trail to Morningside stretch is ahead of schedule (to lots of cheering) with the segment now expected to open by the end of August.

Regrouping on Military Trail.

Military Trail east of Neilson has some edge lines painted in.

The Meadoway east of Military Trail looks like it’s already paved. Can’t wait to ride this part, though it’s unfortunate the Neilson to Military Trail stretch crossing the Ellesmere Ravine is not yet funded. Jonathan encouraged people at the roundabout to e-mail MPP David Smith to encourage him and the Ford government to support funding the rest of The Meadoway.

A bike repair stand at UTSC along with a bike share station and sheltered bike parking. I used the pump but found it required a lot of effort to use when topping up the front tire.

A representative from Regenesis Cycle UTSC talked about the upcoming bike hub and other green initiatives the organization provided.

For one final announcement, Kevin Rupasinghe encouraged people to call Mayor Chow’s office to support funding and building the rest of The Meadoway.

At this point, at least half of the crowd gathered to continue to the Toronto Zoo, but I went back to the starting point with a smaller group. While riding the newest section from Ellesmere to Neilson, I noticed a lot of loose gravel from the recent rainstorm which made the descent a bit treacherous.

The Daventry Garden Plots between Markham and Daventry are huge! We could use a lot more of these community gardens in Toronto!

By the time I got home after a couple of errands in Cabbagetown, I clocked in 56 kilometres on Strava.

Thanks Toronto East Cyclists, Scarborough Cycles, and Regenesis Cycle UTSC for organizing this ride; as well as to Jennie and Mark for helping me with the flat.

Kevin Rupasinghe posted this drone video showing the ride going up the Highland Creek ravine switchbacks.

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