Words and map illustration by Chris Simonen, photo of Chris by Chelsea Clarke
This is the 12th installment in dandyhorse’s new dandyCommute series, which will continue with more stories and photos of your favourite utilitarian cycling routes through 2013. Send us your super commute story today and win bike swag.
dandyCommute #12 Bloordale to St. Patrick Station (approximately 5.5 kilometres)
Describe your commute – how long is it?
West to east and back again in west-central downtown, including the entire length of Harbord St. It’s about 5.5 km, and takes me15 minutes or so, depending on traffic lights.
In the mornings I always take the same route. On the way home I zigzag and take different routes depending on what errands I have to run.
Why do you commute by bike?
It’s the only way I get around! (You might say that’s how I roll…)
What is the best part of your commute?
Generally, tearing down along the curve of University as it goes around Queens Park – so fast, so smooth. If I get a green light at College I’m going the same speed as the cars.
Now since I bought a portable radio that I affix to my stem, having music as I ride is probably my favourite part. CIUT, baby! My favourite commuting shows are Morning Ride (Beep Beep!) Monday mornings 6-9 a.m., and Radio Boogie, Wednesday afternoons from 3-5 p.m.
I also love passing cars.
The sun coming up behind old stone towers of U of T on a misty morning.
(This is not the best sunrise Chris Simonen has seen here, but it will have to do)
A good skitch.
In the summer everyday on the way to my second job I’d stop to have lunch and a little lie-down under some trees in T.B. park (Trinity-Bellwoods, duh). I only had three rain days in about four months, it was a lovely routine!
What is the worst part of your commute?
Bloor between Lansdowne and Ossington has a couple of real bad bumps, and the cars around there in the mornings are in a rush.
What is the most surprising part of your commute?
Pretty ladies on touring bikes going fast. Yes!
What infrastructure change would make your commute better?
Bike lanes on Bloor.
Illustrator Chris Simonen created the spokes cover for our Spring 2010 issue. Check out more of Chris Simonen’s illustrations on his blog whatdays.ca.
This story is part of a new series about commuting by bike to work.
Send us your dandyCommute story and read more dandyCommute stories here and get free reflective tape on your bike courtesy of 3M and Sweet Pete’s.
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