MARCH CYCLING IN TORONTO - THE "HELL OF THE NORTH "

Pre-season, for many years, there takes place an epic ride from Toronto Zoo to the shores of Lake Simcoe - about 75km. Some of the route is on paved roads, but the majority of the course is along old rail beds, disused trails and the occasional ditch.  The Hell of the North was started by the father of Pro Tour super domestique, Michael Barry and was traditionally held on the same day as the Paris Roubaix. A number of different clubs  have organised this tough, off-road challenge over the years and in the early part of the present millennium, the Midweek Club kept the ball rolling. For the past few years, Toronto's La Bicicletta club has done a fine job of continuing the tradition.By the way, the "winner" of this "non-competitive" ride is presented with a trophy made from one of the actual cobbles from the Hell of the North lanes of the Paris Roubaix, hence the name. Here is a video of last year's event, courtesy of Ed Veal.