Trail Description:
The Don is a pretty challenging out and back ride that makes a good quick after-work loop. The trail is mostly off-camber hard-packed clay, so stay away in rain! Lots of roots, short ups, and fun corners. Good for all levels.
How to get there:
Trailhead located just west of the tracks at Bayview and Pottery Road in Toronto. There is a small parking lot just west of the tracks, or a better one just east of the Don River.
| Posted by: Trekker on 6/14/2010 |
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There are 3 levels of trails along the valley in my opinion.
1. fast flats along the river that are great, but become narrow with vegetation growth: hard to see oncoming bikers, walkers etc. So be cautious during peak times (I had a head on collision with biker with Ipod on; I suggest leave the music at home!)
2. Intermediate to advanced single track (two way) trails starting at Pottery Road going north.
3. Advanced to expert trails north of the Loblaws of off O'Connor.
Something for everyone...great rides!
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| Posted by: 2001 RM Slayer on 6/10/2010 |
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I've ridden Kelso, Hilton Falls, Albion Hills, Hardwood Hills and some trails up in Sudbury, and I love these. The trails are not far from my home, and I get to do it a couple times a week, weather permitting. The trails can be narrow, lots of climbs and descents. Some of the stunts need repairs, so check it out before you ride it.
And don't be a #@$#!, if it's raining, stay home. You may think you're tough riding those trails when they're wet, but you're just going to speed up the erosion and force the city to close them sooner than later. Ride them dry, ride them longer.
My total loop is about 10km, and there are frequent trails that allow you to get off the challenging ravine trails and onto the flat one following the Don River.
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| Posted by: Mark on 4/21/2010 |
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I was on it before I realized what it was, thinking what the hell am I on ?
Came down the trails from top of Bayview and talked to a city worker at the
bottom who was really helpful. Also the map of it all at the bottom helped, so
I had to go up and do the whole thing. I survived it all , good news was a
blast. Challenging for a first timer on this thing. Not bad for a 47 yr olds first
time. I'm going again. I'm hooked.
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| Posted by: singlespeedguy on 4/1/2010 |
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Ride during the week or early in the day on weekends. After 10am on weekends, lots of traffic jams, collisions with amateurs. If very wet, parts can be unrideable. Fun to watch folks slide off trail into the debris fields at the bottom of the ravines. Ride it 2-3 times a week, best fun in the city!
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| Posted by: Dropmachine.com on 3/21/2009 |
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Hey guys and gals
There is a very VERY real possibility that the city of Toronto is going to
put in a skills park for us to plow around in. What we need though is for
the community to come together as a whole, and tell them we want it, and
what we want in it! Thats right, the riders get a HUGE say in what goes
into this park!
SO!
GO HERE: http://www.dropmachine.com/skills_park
Fill out the form, and show Toronto that you want this park! This is a huge
stepping stone, and if we can come together and make this happen it means a
VERY good chance of a whole bunch of parks opening up all over the place!
TELL EVERYONE YOU KNOW to fill this out. This INCLUDES parents, XC riders,
BMXers, DH and Freeriders, and anyone else that can benefit from this park.
This is our chance to come together and REALLY make a change in the riding
scene in Ontario. Don't let this slip away. Remember, Vancouver started
small too, and look where they are now.
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| Posted by: TonyB on 2/10/2009 |
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There are a lot more than 6 miles of trails.
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| Posted by: primegymthyme on 6/14/2008 |
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Road these trails for the first time. Really fun areas with random jumps and bridges. It always free, and worth the drive if your not going too far. Asome of the local riders for entries to hidden trails, it's worth it.
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| Posted by: hardtailer on 6/10/2008 |
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The valley has some of the best trails,only the girls stay away in the rain, if you want your skills to improve, keep riding, the ridge trail is great, the single track on the river side is smooth, catalyst is tricky but lots of fun, no sympathy for you if you don't like it wet, just get bigger tires. keep it clean,, where else do you get great trails right in the heart of the city, big thanks to the guys looking after these trails, thanks alot
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| Posted by: Anon on 9/28/2007 |
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Watch out for the off camber nature of some the older stunts. Used my helmet for the first time in 20 years of helmet wearing just last weekend.
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| Posted by: Jdog on 9/28/2007 |
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B-dog, you've got 2 options. I'll give you the simple routes, you can find bike friendly ones later. Access the north end of the system by riding east on Eglinton. As the road descends into the Don Valley, follow a track to the right almost to the river. Turn right at the bottom and generally keep right. Wicked climbs and switchbacks here. Almost no-one rides this section because it's hard to find the other end of it. To access the south end, ride east to Bayview, turn right. After Moore, descend past the train bridge and access trailhead on the left 100m past Nesbitt. This trail system would be even better if it included the currently unmaintained ravine connecting the Stables at Sunnybrook up to Bayview just south of the Hospital. Right now it's cyclocross territory.
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