Lake Ontario Trekkers By-pass Toronto Sprawl

We took the train out of Toronto instead of biking the 50 miles to Darlington Provincial park. We got to the campground very early because of the reduced mileage and luckily we were able to set up camp before the rain started. It rained on and off for the rest of the afternoon/evening but we were afforded a break to make quesadillas for dinner accompanied by Jake's wonderful Guacamole! Hopefully the rain will let up soon!

Lake Ontario Trekkers Are All Over Toronto

 

Today the Teen Trekkers spent the day exploring the wonders of Toronto! First we went to the Art Gallery of Ontario. Then we hopped on over to Chinatown for lunch. We then walked down to the waterfront and took in the sights of the newly reconstructed Queens Quay. Meandering through the caverns of skyscrapers downtown we found city hall and stopped in for a tour of the city council chambers. Making our way back to the hotel to do laundry we made a brief stop at the bookstore. We went out for Mexican food on Yonge Street. Tomorrow we're off to the Toronto islands!!

The Lake Ontario Trek Bikes the Northern Shore

On their last full day in Toronto, the Lake Ontario Trekkers had an easy morning and a delicious breakfast at Average Joe's Cafe in Kensington Market. They trawled through the district's shops and put together a fantastic "Parisian" lunch -- fresh baguettes, fruit, meats, and cheeses, all from Kensington Market shops.  In the afternoon, they packed and prepared to hit the road the next day, swam in the hotel pool, and went out for pizza in Little Italy.

They wrote this haiku about their stay at the Hyatt Regency --

This hotel is nice
Lots of free coffee and food
I don't want to leave.

and this one about their Parisian-style picnic --

Fresh bread and savory cheese,
Meats, baked treats, and mangos galore,
Market hustle and bustle.

Warm, hotel beds or not, the group got back on the trail, for a bright, sunny day biking with stops for ice cream and Tim Horton's donut holes along the way to Darlington Provincial Park.  After a night of thunderstorms, they woke up to another beautiful day.  They cruised along the waterfront, admiring the views out over the lake and enjoying some breezy downhill biking that kept the summer heat at bay.  They also got to ride alongside Friends for Life, a group of 400 bikers going from Toronto to Montreal to raise AIDS/HIV awareness.

When they reached their lakeside campsite at Victoria Park Campground, they went for a swim, cooked dinner together, and shared stories.  They have three more days camping out in Canada before they'll cross back into the U.S. at Cape Vincent, NY.

Downtown Toronto Welcomes Lake Ontario Trekkers

The Lake Ontario Trekkers started their day by doing laundry, then checked out the shops in Chinatown and bargained with a restaurant owner for their lunch.  In the afternoon, they got in some swimming at the hotel's pool, then headed to the harbor for dinner, live music, and a little salsa dancing.

 

An evening stroll helped everyone digest their delicious dinner out.  Tomorrow, they'll begin the second week of their Trek, heading east along Lake Erie.

Lake Ontario Trek Reaches Toronto

Trails along Lake Ontario gave the Lake Ontario Trekkers fantastic views of the landscape and lake as they made their way to Toronto.  The group had a breezy ride without any problems at all -- not even a flat tire! -- and made it to a Subway for lunch in great spirits.

They continued on through beautiful parks, finally cruising into Toronto and signing in to some wonderful rooms at the Hyatt Regency on King Street.  They found a delicious burger joint nearby and spent the evening exploring downtown Toronto and sleeping hard to get ready for the next day.

They'll be in Toronto two more nights, then strike out across the Canadian countryside along the northern shore of Lake Ontario.

Niagara-Toronto Closing in on Toronto!

The group is going to arrive in Toronto today, after a night in the town of Bronte, Ontario.  Here's what Kate has to say about yesterday:
"Ran into a short but heavy rainstorm on the way over, but luckily we had an early start this morning so it did not slow us down.  We're at a campsite in the Bronte Conservation tonight.  Everyone is doing great aside from a little sadness that the Trek is already half way over!  We are on our way to Toronto tomorrow, and will be taking a lake side bike path that keeps Toronto in sight the whole way, slowly getting closer until we are right in the city!  We have found many fruit stands with delicious berries among the expansive farm communities we are riding through, but we are still excited for some city living...:

The bike trail that goes into Toronto

 

Lake Ontario Trek Moves East of Toronto

Our Trekkers have been up to a lot this weekend!  
 Here is what Leader Laura has to say about the group's time in Toronto:
We had a great time wandering the city. We went to Chinatown for lunch and authentic snacks and bubble tea. We went over to the trendy Kensington Market to shop for something unique-the street is full of quirky boutiques, vintage shops, casual eateries, record shops and lots of people! We took the ferry to the Toronto islands and toured around by bike. And one night, we went to a Blue Jays baseball game. Another night we indulged in some Ethiopian cuisine.

The bike rack marks the entrance to Kensington Market

In Kensington Market

Beside the Blue Jay's stadium

On the Ferry to Toronto Island

View from Toronto Island

Bubble Tea time!

 Here is what Trekker Jordana has to say:

After a long ride on Saturday, we woke up to a beautiful sunrise over Lake Ontario.  We at a quick breakfast of oatmeal, Nutella and Orange Juice and were off!  We rode for a few hours, trying our best not to get lost, and came to a lovely lake side trail.  There was a charity ride on the same trail as us, so we had company as we chugged our way up some wicked hills.  At lunch time we regrouped and devoured some neapolitan ice cream and carrots (we know its a weird combo but it works!).  We had a cozy plot of land to pitch our Tents, took showers and did some laundry and cooked dinner.  A nice, full, tiring day!

Here's looking at you, Toronto!

 Tonight the group will stay in Brighton, Ontario.