About this episode
Toronto! The biggest city in Canada beckoned with its record shops, high energy and criminally underrated cycling on the islands off shore. With a basketball arena parking spot and my kind of weather, TO was ready to welcome me with open arms… Lake Ontario 2025 - Part 5 🚗 Parking + Arrival in Toronto •Parking garage setup with EV charging — 24 hours for 24 CAD, prime downtown location. •Thoughts on Cybertrucks (spoiler: not a fan). •Quick record shop detour before rolling out. 🚲 Urban E-bike Sprint to the Ferry •Navigating Toronto traffic to make the ferry in time. •First glimpses of the Harborfront Trail and ferry terminal success. ðŸ›³ï¸ Ferry to the Islands •On board the William Lingus (insert SNL reference). •Observations on Toronto Island's regulars and off-season calm. ðŸï¸ Exploring Toronto Island by E-bike •Discovering the island's unique layout — car-lite, license-limited. •Big marina views and rear-view cityscapes. •Moody, Oregon Coast-like weather setting the tone. ☕ Cafés, Birds & Black Squirrels •Coffee shop scouting and parking time calculations. •Noticing Toronto Island's charm: cardinals, fire stations, and disc golf. ðŸ"¸ CN Tower Skyline Shot of the Day •Photo stop at a postcard-perfect harbor: ducks, loons, and urban backdrop. •Tangent on the CN Tower's claim to fame and photographic techniques. ðŸŒ§ï¸ Light Rain, Green Spaces, and Island Vibes •Embracing the drizzle in classic bike touring style. •Pedal-assist set low to savor the scenery and solitude. •Disc golf, beaches, and lots of benches — the quiet off-season character. 🎡 Amusement Park Detour •Riding through a closed kiddie amusement park and petting zoo. •Peacock spotting and the return of Muppet-inspired names (Kermit Fog, anyone?). •Funnel cake cravings and childhood park nostalgia. 🕠Center Island + Beer Dreams •Discovery of the Toronto Island BBQ and Beer Co. •Harbor views and light snack planning before continuing the ride. âœˆï¸ Quest for the Airport •Meandering west toward Hanlan's Point and the Billy Bishop City Airport. •Geeking out over planes, windsocks, and off-limits fencing. •A side of Toronto most tourists never see. ðŸ³ï¸?🌈 Historic Discovery: Canada's Oldest Queer Space •Hanlan's Point signage reveals a legacy of LGBTQ+ community since 1971. •Reflections on inclusivity, history, and the spirit of the island. ðŸ—ºï¸ Full Island Traverse & Wrap-up •Realization that the "Toronto Islands" are really one big, bikeable park. •Rain resumes just in ti
