u/catatonic-cat

Not sure if it’s just me, but lately I noticed that when viewing and zooming in on my own high resolution images (I’m Pro) in lightbox mode on my desktop Mac (Safari), they are taking much longer to load the high-res version, like 20-30 seconds. The lightbox zoomed in version starts at the top and slowly works it way down to the bottom. I didn’t used to see this, so I’m not sure if it’s my set-up or something going on with Flickr? Anybody else notice this? Any ideas?

Looking for info whether or not the retaliatory tariffs announced today include duties on smartphones sold by US companies, but are manufactured outside of the US, notably including the Apple and Google products.

Anybody?

My Park Tools chain checker is showing ~0.75% stretch on the chain of my fairly new (~ 1,000km) 4-speed T-Line. I have questions:

• My local Brompton dealer does not have stock of the Brompton 10-speed Advanced Chain. What other make/model of chains are compatible with 4-speed cassettes on the T-Line? Are there any recommendations of commonly available (i.e. Amazon) products?
• How many miles or km are T-Line users getting on a chain? 1,000km seems low to me.
• Same as the C-Line 2-speed cassette, Brompton recommends changing the 4-speed cassette at the same time as the chain. Are T-Line users replacing cassettes with every chain replacement, or something less frequent, like every 2nd or 3rd chain replacement?
• My cassette is showing some visible wear only on the 11-tooth sprocket. Is it really necessary to change the entire cassette? Are other users swapping the entire cassette, or just the worn sprocket(s)?

... by eliminating the bike lanes. The man is a genius. /s

Seriously, the elimination of bike lanes on Bloor, Yonge and University will incentivize some commuter cyclists to swap their regular bicycles with faster, unregulated e-bikes (not constrained to 32 kph) to keep up with the high speed of car traffic on these soon to be bike-lane free thoroughfares. I won't be one of them, but I can't say I would blame them.

Cycling in Toronto is about to get a whole lot more dangerous.

I’m loving the incredible new trail, but with the early morning dew, I’m not really sure how is the traction on all the perforated steel bridge decking. Does anybody know if it’s similar to wet pavement or is it more or less slippery when wet? I’d rather not find out the hard way 🤪

Just checking if anybody can report if the Lower Don between Pottery Rd down to Corktown has been opened yet? Today was supposed to be opening day. TIA

For those that care, as of today they have finally started removing the barrier fence and are allowing passage through Garrison crossing. Huge deal for those of us in Fort York wanting to go north. I imagine also huge for those north wanting additional options to access MGT. The closure was much too long, I hope we never allow that again.

After moving from a suburban house to a downtown condo recently, I'm struggling to keep my bike(s) clean, lubricated and serviced without a hose, driveway and bike stand. I'm curious if anyone knows of any locations in the city where I can bring my bike to do this service on my own?

Rode by it this morning, shocked to see the construction fence blocking the road finally gone. It's been closed so long I lost track of how many years this treasure was taken from us.

https://preview.redd.it/2ibcqzzck1dh1.jpg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=23bd89b53d68f9ac84e96b7bc53a3ad5af5e797e

So I brought my 8 month old M6R C-line (with about 2,000 km) in to my LBS yesterday for a quick head-set adjustment (it had excess play already for some reason). The mechanic showed me the chain is worn/stretched beyond the 1.0 mark on the Park tool chain checker. I was surprised by this as my road, gravel and MTB get a lot more mileage before the chain needs replacing. It is riding and shifting smoothly, there are no issues riding it like this at the moment.

Does 1,500-2,000 km seem normal for chain life on a Brompton? Maybe I need to step up my chain clean and lube practices? To be fair, some of this riding was over winter with road salt conditions.

Anyhow, I had already bought the new chain, cassette sprockets and chain ring, as I was preparing to do a 50T to 44T chain ring modification. Only problem is right now I am unable to do the chain/sprocket/chain ring replacement myself, and my LBS has no appointment available for a month.

So my question here; is there any harm riding on an over-stretched chain for an extra month, if I am already planning to replace the chain ring and cassette sprockets along with the chain? I mean, is there any harm to other components by delaying this a while longer? Assuming it continues to ride and shift smoothly?

With many more visitors currently using the MGT than usual, it's becoming painfully obvious that the trail needs updated signage and line markings to make it abundantly clear to those that normally don't use use it, this is in fact a Multi-Use Path with bicycles (and runners). As frustrating as it can get on weekends, we can't honestly blame pedestrians (including elderly and infants) that wander all over the trail oblivious to the fact that they are sharing it with many bicyclists and runners traveling at speed.

It's obvious to those of use that use the MGT on a daily or weekly basis. But to visitors, including those from outside the city core, we can't blame them because it's not at all clear this is a mixed use pathway. That's because the markings on the pavement are faded, or because most parts are lacking any information indicating they are on a MUP, and that they should expect to share it with bicyclists and runners.

The city is spending hundreds of millions of dollars right now on visitor and tourist safety, yet something as basic as this is completely neglected. Seems like a huge opportunity to improve safety for regular trail users and visitors alike has been wasted.

I'm planning to fly recreationally, not over crowds or near events, and fully respect peoples privacy. Just looking for input on any locations within the city (near the lake or downtown core) where it's legally permitted to launch and operate a micro (<250g) drone?

I'm aware that NAV Canada does permit micro drone operations in the downtown area, but requires that users follow regulations (<400 ft and within line of sight) and exercise extreme caution in regulated zones.

I'm also aware that the City of Toronto prohibits drone operations (including micro drones) on city parks, beaches and other city property, without special permits. I'm assuming launching from private property including parking lots is also prohibited without consent of the property owner.

Are there any locations that are neither city or private property? Where are people in Toronto that fly micro drones legally permitted to operate them from? Any recommendations from other micro drone operators?

Some good news - the city recently (in the past week) upgraded the traffic-signaled intersection at Lakeshore and Bastion from cars-only to a new signaled pedestrian crossing. Unlike the existing crossing just east of this one at Stadium Rd, this crossing connects directly to the MGT. For cyclists, that means no putzing around on sidewalks and streets after crossing Lakeshore. Great news for pedestrians and cyclists alike, if you live in the Fort York area.

Spent 2 hours driving around in gridlock circles today, trying to travel 2km. This was a family move-related task, so walking or transit were not an option. Did tons of research ahead of time to try to figure out where to cross the road closures.

Why, why, why can’t this city make information available to drivers so they can make informed decisions on which routes to take during planned road closures? The marathon happens once a year, so it’s not like there wasn’t time.