I live in downtown Toronto and am wondering if I should bike over to the ex or drop off my bike+stuff the night before and TTC/walk over?
If I bike over I'll have everything with me, but then I'd have to carry the potentially heavy gear bag over... On the flip side, I'd have everything with me and it wouldn't be a mad rush trying to get my bike out (I assume it would be BUSY?)
The standard procedure is to leave your bike at the CNE on Friday afternoon/evening, then bring your overnight gear with you on Saturday morning, to leave on a truck.
Last year I did just that - biked down on Friday and TTC'd home, then carried my overnight bag on Saturday. It worked out well. There was no mad rush at either the bikes or the trucks. Just remember where in the secure area you put your bike. The trucks are coded - by colour or letter, I can't remember which, so you need to remember that too. There's also a truck labelled "Not Staying in Camp". If you're staying in a hotel, use this one, because the tents are a long way from the taxis, and each truck unloads in its appropriate place.
I'm still trying to come up with something to use as a gear bag. I honestly have no idea what I can use. I don't have one, or anything...maybe by ride day.. Hey Taylor.
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I'm still trying to come up with something to use as a gear bag. I honestly have no idea what I can use. I don't have one, or anything...maybe by ride day.. Hey Taylor.
I got a frame bag from MEC. Was looking for a saddle bag but with the license plate and my seat having springs in it, would be a challenge to mount.
Ended up getting MEC's large size frame bag which im planning to put in:
- 1 tube
- 2 energy bars, maybe a gel or two
- My keys
- My phone
- My camera
- Gonna look this week for "travel size" sunscreen
- Missing anything...?
They have a smaller version too, depending on your available space... though I don't think all of what I listed would fit in there - at least it would be pretty damn tight
There's sunscreen at the rest stations if you don't want to bother about bringing your own.
As for an overnight bag, by the time you add sleeping bag and sleeping mat, plus clothes to wear at camp in the evening, it will be hard to ride over, even if it's only a short distance. Leaving the bike at the Ex overnight worked fine for me.
I hate to say it, but the weather forecast for Niagara Falls on Sunday is not good. You might want to take along a rain jacket and newspaper bags or empty milk bags to keep your feet dry.
I don't own any riding stuff other than shorts and a jersey. I'm going to suffer. But what's a couple days when you think about it? Better rain and heat than rain and cold. Gotta look at the bright side. I saw the rain and humidity for Sunday and figured "Of course..." There's a giant beer with my name on it in the Falls. I'll be on a Guinness search.
__________________
Never Give Up; Never Surrender! Strength in Numbers. Livestrong!
