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PICTURE
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DESCRIPTION
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Saturday was Mom's birthday, so I decided to go down to Hamilton after
work on Friday night to spend the weekend with mom and dad. Of course,
I wanted to take my bike with me too! Last summer and fall I rode to
Hamilton after work four times, but I didn't want to ride all the way this
time. My excuses are: 1) My recumbent is still hibernating for the
winter, 2) much of my ride would be after dark, and 3) I was lazy. I
chose to ride part-way and take the
GO Train
for as much of the trip as possible. So, in the morning, I rode to
work along the
usual route, and
after work rode straight down Hurontario St. to the Port Credit GO
Station (Map).
This first picture was taken when I just arrived at the Port Credit GO
Station. This wasn't my train, as it was heading towards Union Station.
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After I bought my ticket, I went up to the platform and waited for the
train. Technically, I wasn't allowed to bring my bike onto this train
because it's was still within the "rush hour" times, but nobody stopped
me, and the train wasn't crowded so I didn't get in anyone's way. The
sun was starting to set, and the view westward down the track was kind
of nice...
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Just in case I forgot....I was at the Port Credit GO Station.
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Here's my beautiful Reflecto-Bike waiting for the train!
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And my train arrived, right on schedule.
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Inside each door, there's a place for storing 2 bicycles. I was the
only cyclist that I saw on this train, so I had the space to myself.
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Actually, the train wasn't very full, especially once we got closer to
the end of the line in Burlington. When I got off the train in
Burlington, it was already dark. Good thing I was on my Reflecto-Bike,
wearing my reflective-vest, and lots of bike lights. Yes, I look dorky,
but at least people can see me. The ride to Hamilton from Burlington
(Map) felt very fast,
although parts of Plains Rd. have a very dirty / debris-filled curb lane,
despite the "bike lane" / "edge stripe" along most of the route. I
always enjoy riding into Hamilton, swooping into the city along York
Blvd., and then up James St. The last stretch to Mom and Dad's is
always a killer though, as I have to ride up the Escarpment!
I had every intention of taking a bike bike ride around Hamilton on
Saturday afternoon, but instead I ended up napping for 3 or 4 hours!
I guess I needed it. At least I managed to get our to do some shopping
with my dad, and helped cook dinner in the evening for mom's birthday!
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On Sunday I had to return to Toronto, and again I decided to ride and
take the train part-way. The GO Train only starts in Oakville on
Sundays, so I had to ride a bit further to get there
(Map). Mom took
this picture of me as I was leaving, around 2:00.
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I took this picture down on James St. in downtown Hamilton while waiting
for a light to change. This is the
Lister Block,
a building at James and King William that is in a sorry state of repair.
It's too bad, because it really is a beautiful building. I wonder if
anything will ever be done with it...
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View of the Skyway Bridge and Hamilton Harbour from the York Blvd.
bridge near the Royal Botanical Gardens.
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View of the North End of Hamilton and the industry that Hamilton is
so well known for. Taken from the same place as the previous photo.
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Looking down from the bridge. This canal leads to Coote's Paradise,
located behind me.
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My first stop during this ride was near LaSalle Park in Aldershot
(Burlington) to visit my aunt and pick up some potato cookbooks!
Yum...looking forward to trying some of those recipes.
I stopped again just a bit further down North Shore Blvd. to take these
two pictures from the Burlington Golf and Country Club. It's too bad
that so much of the waterfront between Hamilton and Toronto is private
property, so there aren't too many good opportunities to really enjoy the
lake/harbour view.
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Another view of the harbour from the Burlington Golf and Country Club.
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Next stop: Oakville. I stopped at this same coffee joint the last time
I rode through here. Expensive yuppie coffee, but it's really good.
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Mmmm...caffeine, sugar, whip cream....
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After stopping for coffee, I just rode up Trafalgar Rd. to the Oakville
GO station to catch a train to Mimico. Here's a picture of my bike
as I waited for the train to leave.
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Yup, I was in the "Bicycle Area". Although that sign is slightly wrong
and confusing... Unfortunately, I think my recumbent bike is a bit too
long to fit in the "bike area" without getting in the way of the doors or
corridors. I'll have to keep that in mind for potential tours this
summer. But I can probably find a way to work around that...
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When I got to Mimico Station, it was a short 5.5km ride home
(Map).
This is the view of my lovely apartment complex as I waited
for a light to change.
Well, it was a great weekend of hanging out with family and riding
my bike (but not TOO much!). I hope to do more of that soon.
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| All photographs ©2006 Victor Gedris |