There are two cars (taxis, of course) parked in the distance, and the one closest had moved a bit while I pulled out my phone to take this photo, but he was just sort of sitting here trying to will someone into his cab.

I’d now like to share a part of my morning commute with you… a part that I was very grateful for during the heat of this summer.

Namely, it’s the intersection of Bloor and Sherbourne as you approach it from the east.

For east enders like me, coming west along the Danforth and across the Bloor Viaduct on hot summer mornings was… well, it was hot.

Gladly, even in the hottest part of summer, big trees along the north side of Bloor where it heads northwest from the Viaduct towards Sherbourne create a nice oasis of shade on the bikelane for a fair stretch:

When you’re coming from the Danforth, this is the first dose of cool shade a cyclist gets when heading downtown. I’m very thankful for the Rosedale Ravine (which runs north of this part of Bloor)

Here is me looking tired (and needing a shave) just before reaching the shade on my way downtown:

Cyclists going eastbound over the Viaduct have to deal with crossing this off-ramp (which often has pretty quick traffic) so I thought capturing the how drivers and cyclists to highlight the need for some pavement markings (like a coloured bikelane) and lots of signs for drivers to give way to cyclists in this area..  Cars often go very fast along here, and crossing this lane can be hair-raising, even for experienced cyclists.