mountaing biking

(Photo: rezavaziri)

The IMBA (International Mountain Biking Association) Ontario rep says Toronto is getting closer to adding a mountain biking park, as the City's strategic planners have update the BMX Go Forward Strategy to also include some kind of mountain biking, in addition to recommendations for BMXers. From the report:

This report sets out a number of strategic actions that are aimed at enhancing the off-road cycling opportunities and experiences within Toronto by:

• improving the condition of the City’s three existing BMX facilities at its two sites;
• supporting the establishment of additional high-quality outdoor BMX facilities, as well as giving consideration for providing indoor BMX-related facilities;
• developing a trails management strategy for river valleys and parks where hot spots of unauthorized off-road cycling are observed;
• pursuing partnerships where appropriate, including with other service providers;
• educating users through various programs on how to ride safely and construct sustainable trails; and engaging groups of users who typically have had low rates of participation (e.g. female users).

I've heard of many mountain bike trail building efforts within the City of Toronto, both sanctioned and unsanctioned, but this example of railway underpass / bridge building on the Don River is the most interesting one yet.

It consists of a wooden trestle about 15 m long and about 75 cm wide. It extends from one side of the bridge to the other. It is low enough for a biker but I had to duck my head when I walked along it. It is solidly built and creatively uses available space. the bridge is resting on poured concrete pilings that are sitting on rocks that were already there. From some of the comments I've read on the biker forums it took 40 bags of cement to build.

More details over at the Don Watcher blog.