Vaughan To Downtown Toronto

Monday Sept. 26 I had to take the subway up to Finch, and then transfer to a Viva bus and ride it up to Rutherford Road and Bathurst street to pick up my new Electra "Rat Fink" chopper bicycle, [crank forward design, aluminum frame, 24" tires, 3-speed Shimano Nexus and coaster brake]. (This bike is brand new, and been in storage for 4 years after having been won in a raffle at the TIFF (Toronto International Film Festival) screening of the Rat Fink movie in 2004. The older woman who won it didn't want to try riding it so she stuck it in the basement, where it has remained until I purchased it.

After making the necessary adjustments and pumping up the tires so I could ride it back to the subway, I was off. It was hot with just a bit of wind in the air. After quite a few hills and stopping to get water and make some more adjustments I finally got down to Highway 7 on Bathurst and it was 2:45pm. Since the TTC won't let you take a bike on the subway during rush hour (3pm to 7pm). and I didnt want to hang around until I could, I set off down Bathurst street, all the way to Chaplin Crescent where I hooked up with the Kay Gardner Belt Line Trail. This is a shady and packed gravel rail trail crossing several streets finally ending in Mount Pleasant Cemetery just north of St.Clair. I ran into a group of 6 senior cyclists riding laps in there, as I was checking my map and fielded several questions about the bike. Then onto Yonge and south to Church street and home. I was having so much fun and really enjoyed riding the Rat Fink that I forgot to take any pics except one. 4 hours, 20km.