Bang Bang
Route created by Brook Smith
The Bang Bang is a burly mtb ride from the Toronto Don Valley to Durham Forest. This route can be a multi-day ride (2/3), or a very burly single day challenge. Doing the trail in multiple days is suggested for beginner bikepackers. The sections in the Don & Dagmar are advanced, so a hardtail is recommended. There are many opportunities to get rad along this route, so travel light to enjoy the features. There are jumps (with ride arounds), punchy hills, and some type-2 moments. Cursing my name may be required.
The route encompasses the Meadow Way Path, Don Valley trails, Scarborough Bluffs, Gates Gully, Waterfront Trail, Duffins Trail, Greenwood Conservation area, Walker's Woods, Dagmar, Durham Forest, The Great Trail, a random river crossing, Seaton Hiking trails, Pickering, a former dump, Rouge National Park & Morning side Park. The majority is single/double track but there are connectors featuring gravel, city trail, bike lanes, roads, and occasional bushwhacking. The road sections are short and mostly have bike lanes/shoulders.
Notes:
- The start is anywhere you would like along the route.
- The Don and Dagmar are mostly one-way trails.
- The Don Valley section has a lot of hard, steep climbs. You can do the low lines and skip the trails that are too punchy for your setup.
- The course gets pretty rad, so a flat bar MTB with XC tires is recommended. Some suspension on the front will be more fun.
- When returning along the Seaton Trail, there is a hole in the fence near Taunton Road. Go through the hole and ride east along with Taunton 2-300m. Look for a cut grass/trail on the south side. The alternative is to follow the Seaton Trail up a giant metal stairway with 144 stairs. This is not ideal, but not the worst decision you have made today.
The Bang Bang is a burly mtb ride from the Toronto Don Valley to Durham Forest. This route can be a multi-day ride (2/3), or a very burly single day challenge. Doing the trail in multiple days is suggested for beginner bikepackers. The sections in the Don & Dagmar are advanced, so a hardtail is recommended. There are many opportunities to get rad along this route, so travel light to enjoy the features. There are jumps (with ride arounds), punchy hills, and some type-2 moments. Cursing my name may be required.
The route encompasses the Meadow Way Path, Don Valley trails, Scarborough Bluffs, Gates Gully, Waterfront Trail, Duffins Trail, Greenwood Conservation area, Walker's Woods, Dagmar, Durham Forest, The Great Trail, a random river crossing, Seaton Hiking trails, Pickering, a former dump, Rouge National Park & Morning side Park. The majority is single/double track but there are connectors featuring gravel, city trail, bike lanes, roads, and occasional bushwhacking. The road sections are short and mostly have bike lanes/shoulders.
Notes:
- The start is anywhere you would like along the route.
- The Don and Dagmar are mostly one-way trails.
- The Don Valley section has a lot of hard, steep climbs. You can do the low lines and skip the trails that are too punchy for your setup.
- The course gets pretty rad, so a flat bar MTB with XC tires is recommended. Some suspension on the front will be more fun.
- When returning along the Seaton Trail, there is a hole in the fence near Taunton Road. Go through the hole and ride east along with Taunton 2-300m. Look for a cut grass/trail on the south side. The alternative is to follow the Seaton Trail up a giant metal stairway with 144 stairs. This is not ideal, but not the worst decision you have made today.
