Event Day Details
Everything you need to know about the day of the Becel Heart&Stroke Ride for Heart is right here!
Check out our Rider’s Guide which has everything you need to know to be ready to ride!
IMPORTANT: Please remember that all participants 18+ must fundraise $100 or more before they ride in order to receive a Rider ID Bike Plate. Riders without a valid Rider ID Bike Plate will not be allowed to access the route.
When You Ride
Ride Date: Sunday May 31, 2015
For the day’s itinerary including check-in and start times, click here.
Where You Go
Event Site: Exhibition Place
Entry Point: Princes’ Gates (Strachan Ave/Lakeshore Ave) OR Fleet Street (At Strachan Ave, North of Lakeshore Ave)
How You Get There
Public Transit:
You can take any of the following TTC bus lines:
- 310 Bathurst South
- 316 Ossington South
- 329 Dufferin South
Those bus lines operate during early morning hours on weekends, have stops at Exhibition Place (where you need to get off), and have bike rack services. Call 416-393-INFO (4636) for further details, or visit http://ttc.ca/Routes/Buses.jsp
Unfortunately, it’s not possible to take the TTC subway system or GO Transit. Neither offer early morning services on Sundays.
Road Closures
Since you’ll be riding along the Don Valley Parkway (DVP) and Gardiner Expressway, portions of these roads will be closed to vehicles. You can see them on the map below, and plan your driving route accordingly.
Gardiner Expressway: All ramps closed from the Humber River east to the Don Valley Parkway from 2:00 a.m.
Don Valley Parkway: All ramps closed from Lake Shore Blvd north to Highway 401 from 2:00 a.m.
Where You Can Park
Parking fees:
$10 per vehicle (charged by Exhibition Place)
Lot 1 cash or VIP parking pass only
Lot 2 cash or VIP parking pass only
Lot 3 cash or VIP parking pass only
Underground lot - cash, VIP parking passes or credit cards accepted
Please note: Credit card payments are only accepted in the underground lot
Your Route and Start Time
The time you start riding depends on what route you’ll be riding and your participant type. VIP and Corporate Challenge Riders, you have access to any of the three Ride routes (25, 50, 75km) and your choice of start time.
Earliest Start | Latest Start Time | Route |
---|---|---|
6:00 a.m. | 6:30 a.m. | All 75km Riders |
6:30 a.m. | 9:00 a.m. | VIP and Corporate Challenge 25km & 50km Riders |
6:30 a.m. | 9:00 a.m. | All Remaining 25km & 50km Riders |
Route
25 km route | Your turnaround is the Bayview extension. Ride north to Bayview and then turn back to return to Exhibition Place. |
50 km route | Your turnaround is York Mills. Ride north to York Mills and then turn back to return to Exhibition Place. |
75 km route |
Your turnaround is York Mills. Ride north to York Mills and then turn back to the Bayview extension. Loop back up to York Mills once again. 75km riders are the only riders that do this second loop of Bayview to York Mills. Before you return to Exhibition Place, cycle west to South Kingsway |
Where You Submit Pledges
You can submit pledges at the Check-In Centre at Exhibition Place.
Your Ride Day Checklist
PRE-RIDE BIKE TUNE-UP TIPS – Make sure you have:- ✔ Bicycle in good working order
- ✔ Rider ID Bike Plate
- ✔ Bicycle helmet
- ✔ Water bottle
- ✔ Appropriate weather gear
- ✔ Offline pledges and fundraising forms to submit
Check out the pre-event checklist, too.
Know the Ride Rules and Safety Information
Whether you’re an experienced endurance cyclist, or casual bike rider, please download and read the PDF here.
Follow these, and you’ll enjoy this experience of a lifetime!
- Please be courteous to fellow participants
- Walk your bike to the start chutes
- Helmets are mandatory
- Participants who weave, pass at high speeds or cycle at high speeds in a group/peloton are considered unsafe and will be removed from the event by Toronto Police Services
- Pass on the left. Slower cyclists and children must stay to the right of the road
- Do not attempt to pass the pace vehicles
- Obey the route marshals and ambassadors of the road
- Use extreme caution on the downhill portions of the DVP & Gardiner Expressway
- Stopping anywhere other than a rest station is for emergency situations only
- In the event you must stop, let the people around you know and go to the far right of the road
Ride Day Itinerary
5:30 a.m. | Corporate Challenge and VIP Breakfast at Better Living Centre (North Entrance) |
6:00 a.m. | General Rider Check-In (cut-off time 8:00 a.m.) |
6:00 a.m. | All 75km Riders Start (cut-off time 6:30 a.m.) |
6:30 a.m. | Corporate Challenge/VIP Chute Opens |
6:30 a.m. | All 25km & 50km Riders Start (cut-off time 9:00 a.m.) |
9:30 a.m. | Corporate Challenge & VIP Lunch at Better Living Centre (West Entrance) |
9:30 a.m. | Visit Heart Park after your ride |
Chalk and Cheer
Invite your Family and Friends to Cheer you on!
Supporters can decorate the finish line area using brightly coloured chalk. Write or draw inspirational messages to celebrate riders’ commitment to creating more survivors. Decorating takes place from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. After decorating, supporters can cheer on riders as they cross the finish line with homemade signs and noisemakers.
Heart Park Events
At the Heart Park, you’ll have the opportunity to unwind and celebrate your accomplishments. After you cross the finish line, you’ll enter the Heart Park which will be full of exciting health and wellness experiences.
Questions? Contact Us
416-486-RIDE (7433) or ride@hsf.on.ca