How far away would a cycling event be to be too far?

I've ridden from Mississauga to Hamilton on a Friday after work to attend an evening event (start of a conference).

If it's worthwhile, I would find a way to get there. Bike and TTC/GO makes things easier, of course.

But if you're putting on an event that may require lots of people to take a bike on a GO or TTC bus, don't forget that the maximum is 2 bikes per bus.

Wednesday Wheelies is a example of what I perceive to be to far.
The rides start on the outskirts of the GTA itself (yet they call it a "Toronto bicycle event" sigh at the suburbanites wishing they were Torontonians. [and damn you Mike Harris!]

Anyway to /endrant here is there link:
http://www.tbn.ca/cycling/wheelie.htm

They leave @ 10:00 am as well which is to early for me to bike out into the sticks for.
No wonder they have a reputation for being old men that bike fast, they leave mad early and they have the wackest destinations [although I would really love to try it atleast once to be honest!].

Oh I don't prefer multi-modal transportation as I dont have the money for it. Ill bike anywhere in Toronto, just don't get me started about the GTA.

Edit: vic cant you just bring the bike on board especially when it isnt rushhour?
I've done it plenty with street cars and i'm sure the bus driver would let you if you asked politely and if the bikerack was full (as it never happens cuz no one uses the rack).

Pat,

I think some bus and streetcar drivers might let you on with a bike, but it's up to the driver's discretion and how full the bus/streetcar may be. I wouldn't want to rely on that, especially in times/places when bus frequency may be very low. Folding bike is nice for that purpose too. :)

So far this week I have seen three bikes on TTC racks. Monday after work: northbound Kipling bus at Bloor St.; Tuesday morning: Westbound on Annette, just west of Dundas; and Tuesday evening: Somewhere else in Etobicoke (I can't remember where).

I'm willing to take my bike onto the GO train. For example, this Sunday, I'm going to a Legion event in Burlington. My bike is going on the train to get me there.

So my distance is from Hamilton to Oshawa provided that it is not during one of the bike forbidden times.

True vic.
Relying on a TTC driver to be reasonable is like relying on a weather forecast.

The TTC recently changed its bylaws to no longer allow bikes (except folding bikes) on all busses in anticipation that they will all have spiffy new bike racks that work.

The driver, however, is like a Captain of his/her vessel and can decide if he/she wants to let you on the bus with your bike. Like a captain, however, their call is as good as "law" on their vessel.

I actually mentioned about streetcars not busses allowing bikes and Im pretty sure they do. But as buses relate more to getting around the more of the "GTA" and thats what the article is about thats fine.

But to clarify streetcar drivers have no such law, right?

Yes, if its not too busy, bikes are still welcome on streetcars. The new streetcars are supposed to have some sort of accomodation specifically for cyclists -- inside.

Through Metrolinx, all GTA busses are getting the same (or similar style of) bike racks to the ones found on TTC and GO busses. All TTC routes are supposed to have rack by next year, and all GO busses currently have bike racks.

Contact the transit system you're planning to use and ask about bike racks before you get there to know what to expect. For instance, Brampton is more behind with this program than others are, but it seems that they will be able to roll out the bike racks on thier busses fairly quickly.

http://transit.toronto.on.ca/ is an excellent source of info, anf through their archives you'll likely find out more information about this.

I've brought my bike on the streetcar many a time and that little open area in the middle of the streetcar with the "wood side panneling" is a perfect spot to stash my bike as I get in no ones way.
Don't get me wrong, I would love a specific "Bike Zone" on a streetcar. That would be dope.

Unfortunately trying to bring a bicycle on the Queen streetcar is a big gamble. Often enough the cars are packed that you can't get up the stairs, never mind on and off and down the asile with a bicycle. Agreed, if it isn't crowded streetcars work okay.

However, bicycling from Long Branch to Queen and Spadina is faster than taking the streetcar, even if there's a streetcar arriving when you get to the stop.

Yes, like Ed says, almost all of the time cycling is faster than the streetcar. But knowing that you could take your bike on the streetcar is a good reassurance to the what-ifs of cycling somewhere. I know that one night I was happy to pop my bike on the streetcar when I had a flat tire and realized my pump was in my other bag. This was around 9-10 p.m. so not too crowded time.

Same thing happened to me while I was at Queen & Church and needed to get to the highpark area w/ a flat tire.

It wasn't rush hour (which is the biggest factor in getting a bike on a streetcar) and the streetcar driver are friendly when you ask politely/make eye contact.

Not to mention other random happenings like weather events that may negate your plans of cycling home (rain, snow etc).

To Ed:
I know your trying to be helpful but it goes without saying that it isnt easy to get onto a crowded streetcar with a bike and yes we know a good cyclist is faster than a streetcar. There are always situations where a streetcar can be helpful to a cyclist and because one streetcar is crowded whats to say the next two streetcars will also be?

Just saying its uneeded negativity.

The answer to this really depends on what kind of audience you're looking for and what kind of events will take place.

For the serious-casuals, they'd probably ride upwards of an hour or so to get there. Possibly more if it's a relaxing event once they get there.

If you're looking to get a lot of regular casuals, short distance commuters and familys with kids, then I feel you should keep it at 30 minutes-ish.

Make sure to advertise the options when advertising your event. Educate about the TTC options, and safe cycling routes.

The easier something looks, the more likely you'll get the timid/low energy types, which can really make a difference at an event.

I know people that drive to Florida for cycling events, me - I think it's insane to even drive anywhere with a bike on a vehicle bike rack.
But lots of people think nothing of driving to a dog park, so you'll get a wide variety of distances.
Just post the event and hope for the best.

Riding back from Stouffville, I once had a flat tire about 1 km north of Steeles on Markham road, and was quite relieved to see the TTC bus rolling my way. Hopefully all bus routes will be getting this treatment, and not just for stranded people who forgot to bring a patch kit.

http://www3.ttc.ca/Riding_the_TTC/Bicycles.jsp
"The program’s expansion plan includes bike racks on the entire bus fleet by the end of 2010."

I think the limit is about 1 hour of travel. And that means to me about 20-25KM whether it's getting there by bike or by public transit.

Random Cyclist: On my daily commute, I personally observed some cyclists meeting up in a parking lot in Mississauga by car/suv so they could go for their ride. All the cyclists in question had high end bikes with all the right coordinated clothing. And the route I've seen them take is along Lakeshore, west to Mississauga Road and up Mississauga Road. Seemed to me like some kind of club/group ride where having the right status of gear was as important as the ride itself.

It's one thing if you're going on vacation and you take some bikes with you, but it's another (silly) thing if you're driving somewhere not far from home just to go on a bike ride with some people.

In a recent survey that asked cyclists why they bike, the number one answer given was convenience at more than 50%, at the bottom of the list was environmental reasons at roughly 2%.

So if nearly all people cycle for reasons other that the environmental benefits, why are so many cyclists waiving the Green Flag?

"...And the route I've seen them take is along Lakeshore, west to Mississauga Road and up Mississauga Road..."

At the end of that route puts you into Belfountain. I have not done it in years but the general store there has (at the time I used to go anyways) some great ice cream. From there you can duck down into the Forks of the Credit and try out a hairpin turn.

I ride my bike to work in 2/3 the time it takes to drive, and 1/3 the time it takes to go by TTC.

Convenience is the top factor. I don't ride it for "pleasure", I ride it for transportation. Possibly that puts me in the minority on this website but I think it's important to note that some people ride for fun, others ride to go from A to B and they sometimes don't have the same needs. But we can all get along.

I would ride about 40 minutes to work but after that it's too annoying to be in the traffic; much easier to let the TTC driver deal with it while I read a book.

I have heard about other countries with cycle commuter trains where you live in the country, put the bike on the train and go downtown, and then cycle in the city. Sounds like a hassle to me.

I would fly to Paris for a cycling event but I wouldn't take my bike! And I likely wouldn't ride more than 40 mins even there. So maybe a city full of public dropoff bikes is the best solution: use TTC to get where you're going and pick up a bike when you get there.

Well for me, the biggest reason is staying fit.

The next reason is that I enjoy it.

After that, the next reason is that it makes financial sense to have my bicycle as my second vehicle. I can't justify the expense of buying a 2nd car.

And finally, I do like the fact that the more I ride my bike, the less fuel I need to buy/burn. Lately a tank of gasoline lasts me for 2-3 weeks. And note that I have kids too.

For me, convenience doesn't even make the list. If convenience was the number 1 factor for me, then I would be driving all the time as I live in the west end of Toronto (and not in the downtown core) and I work in Oakville.

If I was right downtown though, the hassle of finding/paying for parking would cause convenience to go to the top of the list for cycling.

Just because it's convenient for most people doesn't mean it isn't environmentally beneficial.

Why do people need to be 100% altruistic before anyone should point out the environmental benefits?

It might best way to get people to act responsibly toward the environment - to motivate them with other more direct benefits.

Similarly, people are more likely to recycle, the easier it is for them, and the more it saves them on garbage prices.

I have heard about other countries with cycle commuter trains where you live in the country, put the bike on the train and go downtown, and then cycle in the city. Sounds like a hassle to me.

Sarcasm?

So maybe a city full of public dropoff bikes is the best solution: use TTC to get where you're going and pick up a bike when you get there.

Ya if you dont mind riding a mountain-bike, I prefer walking over using those inefficient and cumbersome bikes. I would consider using a bikeshare program in Toronto (if it existed as well) if they had thin wheeled touring bikes as well.

Still there is something about your own bike that is a big comfort factor, kinda like your own bed makes you feel the most comfortable.

My regular commutes have been 20kms one way, from downtown out to Downsview and Don Mills. I see very few "downtown" bikes out in these `burbs so I am pretty sure most pedal bike riders consider 20kms as too far to bike (at least on a regular basis.) I have been using power-assist to extend the useful range of my bike.
tks