one hole, two flats

I’ve been riding a little more these days. In fact, we’re going car less in the fall so I’ll be riding to school every day (about 12k each way). In an effort to prepare for that (and because it’s so nice out), I’ve been experimenting with the fastest route.

And I think I finally found the fastest way home. South on Royal York. East on Queensway. Cut through High Park. Quick jaunt on Bloor. East on Dupont to our place. I’ve got it down to 29minutes. Boom. Piece of cake.

The thing about Toronto riding is that it sucks. That’s right. You have to watch out for:

a. Taxi drivers. Don’t get me started…
b. People opening their car doors when you’re coming by
c. Bus drivers who attempt some pretty heroic maneuvering
d. Other cyclists who don’t like to get passed
e. Pot holes

And I’m not talking about little bumps in the concrete. I’m talking about gigantic craters that can swallow you, your bike, and the five cars closest to you without so much as a burp.  Case in point: yesterday I hit one of these holes and blew BOTH my tires. Both. And I’m not kidding when I use the term “blew.” Because they BLEW. Like bombs.  Of course I was carrying a spare, but I sure wasn’t carrying two. So I got a nice, long walk to the subway.

Training goes well. I ran 7.2k of volume yesterday at what I think is 5k race pace (16:20ish), and today’s swim had 2k of work at under 1:20/100. Like that Loaring? Feel the heat Lokody? See you boys on Monday.

Roll on!