If you work, live or even visit downtown Toronto, you've likely seen those large, orange bicycle contraptions careening through the city streets loaded with 15 people screaming Abba. The foodism team is lucky enough to have our office right next to one of their prime photo-op spots for a perfect shot of the CN Tower, which means that several times a day, we're interrupted by Ke$ha's Timber rattling through the office windows. (Please, try to contain your envy.)
So naturally, we were intrigued. I, however, was happy to leave my budding curiosity on the sidelines. My idea of a perfect drinking activity involves luxuriating on one of the city's best patios in the sunshine or sipping cocktails at one of Toronto's top bars. So I'm not exactly thrilled to find out that a ride aboard the Pedal Pub will be our next company team-building activity.
On a hot, muggy day, we find our Pedal Pub pick-up spot at the corner of Richmond and York Street. After a breezy check-in process and a quick safety demo, we clamber onto the precarious stools and start pedalling. If you've ever ridden a pedal-assist bike, this feels much the same. The bike does all the work for you, and pedalling feels more like a fun fidget for restless dangling legs. Taking the first turn feels like it's going to send me flying off the bike, and I realize I have to hold on for this ride.
Our "pilots," Sean and Owen are quick to start hyping us up, taking song requests for the blaring speakers, handing out drinks and keeping the energy high. As a group of coworkers with a wide age range, a variety of music tastes and a pile of work on our desks back at the office that's niggling at the back of our minds, we're a tough crowd. But the breeze feels nice, and pedalling around downtown Toronto is actually a fun experience in its own right.
Then, there are the people staring. Passersby wave, smile and dance from their cars or out on the street. Tourists stop to take photos of us like we're Princess Diana waving out of a limousine, and not a group of people getting drunk on a bicycle that's blocking a lane of traffic. All the attention is starting to go to my head when we make our first stop.
Sitting out on the patio at La Plume in The Well, we get to wind down from the very stimulating ride, and our bums get a break from the Pedal Pub stools. We fuel up with a quick bite to eat and a cocktail before our 45-minute pitstop ends.
When booking a private tour, guests can choose their own stops, while individuals can join a public tour where the destination is preset, whether it's a brunch ride, a theme night or a pre-party ahead of a Jays game.
Back on the bike and a few drinks in, we finally hit our stride. Someone requests a song that we all know the words to, and we lock in. The pilots are dancing; we're belting at the top of our lungs, banging one free hand on the bar while holding on with the other, while we veer through the afternoon traffic, drawing every gaze in the vicinity. It's fun. It's really fun.
By the time we stop to take a photo at the infamous spot outside our office, the full sillies have set in, and I finally understand why everyone is always hooting and hollering out there.
When our ride comes to an end, dropping us off at yet another bar for more drinks, I'm mentally making the potential playlist for a ride that would get my own friends dancing in their seats and screaming at the top of their lungs.
Forgetting to pedal (several times) didn't seem to have any impact on the bike. It's an easy ride, as long as you can manage sitting on a stool, and cruising around downtown Toronto is a nice experience. Add in the gregarious hosts, your favourite tunes, some drinks and great company, and Pedal Pub Toronto is actually a very fun time, and a great change of pace from sitting in a bar.
Seats from $44.99 per person; group tours have a 12-rider minimum charge
