You KNOW we love a good history tour that sheds light on our wondrous city! Coming up Sunday, August 26 is The Reading Line’s fifth annual Book Ride, celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Prince Edward Viaduct.

Using books and bicycles, the Viaduct Book Ride will bridge the city–west to east–and highlight the diversity and history of Bloor and Danforth, from Bathurst St. in the west, across Bloor and the Danforth to Woodbine Ave. (Click here to check out the full schedule.)

Through authors’ words, and in locations that have been newly imagined as reading salons, this FREE series provides the opportunity for participants to see the city from a fresh perspective, all from the seat of their bicycles.

Book Ride is also super accessible, so no matter what your needs are, they’ve got you covered. Check it out:

  • If you don’t have access to a bike, don’t worry! Bike Share will be at the start location (A Different Booklist at Bathurst and Bloor) and will lend you a bike! Please note: To borrow a bike, you must pre-register and come with your own helmet!
  • If you have a bike but it needs a little tune-up, arrive early at the start location where Toronto Hustle will be providing bicycle maintenance (12:00 to 12:45 p.m.)
  • If you want to participate but don’t want to bike, each location is close to a subway station.
  • Want to attend but hearing impaired? ASL/English interpreters will be there.
  • Since you’ll probs work up an appetite, Panago Pizza will be handing out free pizza at the start location! 

Sounds good, eh? And there’s no charge to join! Register at Eventbrite for a chance to win prizes while on the Book Ride. The entire route is approximately 8 km.

The Reading Line is committed to making Toronto a better place, one street and one book at a time. Since 2014, The Reading Line has run an annual literary festival on two wheels. Their Book Rides bring together local authors and citizens for rides through the city. They promote literacy and safe cycling infrastructure by providing fun, free and family-friendly experiences that show the city through the eyes of literature.