World Naked Bike Ride Toronto 2016

Saturday, June 11 will see the two-wheeled protest against gas dependency take to the streets of Toronto in the annual 'bare as you dare' event organized by Gene Dare, photo above.

Starting in Coronation Park at the memorial near the lake's edge, the cyclists will head north taking in some prime real estate including the University of Toronto, Kensington Market, Queen's Park, Ryerson University, the Eaton Centre, Nathan Phillips Square and down the city's financial centre on Bay Street. Plans to head to Allen Gardens once again to support another protest group and a new loop around Yonge-Dundas Square, which will be hosting the Sessions Craft Beer Festival, will be part of this year's route. Short stops for photo opportunities usually happen at Queen's Park, Nathan Phillips Square and at the finish near the Toronto Ferries.

"Time: Gather between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. for elaborate body painting (professional body paint artist- reasonable fee), or bring your own paint, socializing, bike decorating etc. Bring food to share if you wish. Ride starts at 1 pm, following a route along several major streets in the downtown core."

Getting some body paint applied

Usually Trinity Bellwoods Park is too busy and is skipped for safety reasons. Riders that take part in the entire ride can disband at the park beside the ferry terminal, return to the starting point of Coronation Park or continue the ride onto the Toronto Islands and Hanlans Point clothing optional beach.

People loved to pose with the naked cyclists

The weather is supposed to be partly cloudy, warm and humid with rain in the early morning and later in the day so luck is on the side of the riders. Regulars like Naked News and Oasis Aqualounge plan to participate in 2016, although I did not see the Naked News this year.

The ladies from Oasis Aqualounge disrobe for the event

You can find my post on the 2015 ride here. See more photos after the jump. I have added more risque photos to my flickr World Naked Bike Ride album here.

Make-A-Wish Rope for Hope 2016

Across Canada adventurous people were going over the top of buildings and rappelling down some high profile buildings like Toronto City Hall. The money raised in the exciting challenge goes towards Make-A-Wish which grants wishes of children suffering with life-threatening conditions.

"Make-A-Wish® Rope for Hope is a unique challenge event that calls on participants to fundraise in support of local wish-granting efforts, in exchange for an exhilarating experience to rappel down a city skyscraper. Make-A-Wish Canada’s goal is to raise $1.4 million this year through Rope for Hope. Since its launch five years ago, over $2.5 million has been raised."

IFBB Men's Classic Physique at @TOproSuperShow 2016

These guys brought the lighter, classic bodybuilder profiles to the expo stage during the Toronto Pro SuperShow. Competitors have muscles that are less extreme than the bodybuilding categories as their weight is limited according to their height. 

IFBB Women's Bodybuilding at @TOproSuperShow 2016

Professional lady bodybuilders brought their maximum muscles to the Toronto Pro SuperShow during the health and fitness expo. The most muscle definition is the way to win this contest.

IFBB Pro Figure at @TOproSuperShow 2016

The best of the best came to the Toronto Pro SuperShow to compete for the Olympia Qualifier Finals in women's figure.

IFBB Pro Bikini at @TOproSuperShow 2016

Taking to the Expo Stage on Saturday, June 4th, the ladies competing at the Toronto Pro SuperShow were certainly fit and well shaped, wearing bikinis and high-heels. Later that night they took part in the Olympia Qualifying finals in the John Bassett Theatre.

IFBB Women's Pro Fitness at @TOproSuperShow 2016

The annual health and fitness expo always brings many of North America's top IFBB competitors together for amazing shows at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. Judging of the Pro Fitness ladies happened Saturday morning, with the Olympia Qualifier Finals taking place later that night in the John Bassett Theatre.

On the Expo Stage at the Toronto Pro SuperShow

 

Remembering D-Day 2016

The Mayor of the City of Toronto led the City’s delegation in honour of the veterans during an event which started at noon hour in Nathan Phillips Square. The politicians were joined by members of the police, fire department and members of the military as they paid tribute to the sacrifices many made during the wartime battles. Lieutenant-General Richard Rohmer, a veteran of D-Day, author and decorated soldier, will talk about his experiences during the invasion.

“Mayor John Tory along with members of City Council will welcome veterans, their families and the public to commemorate the 72nd anniversary of the D-Day and the Battle of Normandy. On June 6, 1944, 14,000 Canadian troops took part in Operation Overlord, commonly known as D-Day, when they landed on Juno Beach in Normandy, France. The allied invasion marked the beginning of the liberation of Europe during the Second World War. The ceremony will be hosted on Nathan Phillips Square on Monday, June 6.”

Inside City Hall are two photo exhibits - on by photographer Ludmila Schnaider and one a collection of archival photographs taken during the war and provided by veterans and their families. The exhibitions will remain until noon June 7.

Fit Model Women's Championships at @TOproSuperShow 2016

Tanning, makeup and hair specialists Absolute Touch sponsored the Sunday fit model competitions at the Toronto Pro SuperShow. First up was the ladies taking part in a two round event, with the award following the judging. The ladies wear tight-fitting swimsuits during the initial round and leave the stage to change into evening gowns. Later a smaller selection of men take the Expo Stage for their judging.

The winner is congratulated

See more after the jump.

IFBB Pro Women's Physique @TOproSuperShow 2016

The International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness (IFBB) competitions at the Toronto Pro SuperShow held the posing, confirmation round and awards for the Women's Pro Physique on Sunday, June 4. The IFBB website places this sport between Bodyfitness and Women Bodybuilding.

Athletic and muscular with balanced symmetrical development and visible separation. The ladies do a posing routine set to music of their choice.

Sunday at Toronto Pro SuperShow 2016

There was a full slate of events at the second day of Canada's largest fitness expo at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. On the Expo Stage the day started early with the IFBB events: Pro Women's Physique, Pro Men's Classic Physique, Wheelchair Men's Bodybuilding posing and confirmation rounds and awards. Bodybuilder Kai Greene, above, put on an amazing show wearing a mask and dancing off against the Third Motion Dancers. Later Jordan Kilaganon put on a basketball dunking exhibition. Finally the Absolute IFBB Fit Model Men's and Women's Championships took place and the event wound down for another year.

Heidi Summers (buffbunny) at the Live Fit Apparel booth - there were long lineups to meet Heidi. Here she is signing a Blue Jays t shirt

Toronto Pro SuperShow 2016

GNC Live Well brings Canada's largest fitness expo back to the Metro Toronto Convention Centre for a weekend of muscles and sports. The equipment, apparel and nutrition show also provides some great competitions with IFBB and OPA Championships both on the Expos Stage and in the John Bassett Theatre. Expo hours are Saturday, June 4 from 9 am to 6 pm and Sunday, June 4 from 9 am to 4 pm.

This show is extremely popular and with the lineups for celebrities and at many booths it can be hard to get around the floor sometimes, but it is definitely worth it. I loved the Inside Fitness booth where you can pick up giant barbells that look heavy but are made of foam.

A competitor stands in front of an Inside Fitness Women cover

These weights are real

See photos of the IFBB Pro Bikini competition here

Come back as I add photos from the 2016 event.

List of the weekend competitions and the schedule after the jump.

The Brain Project in Toronto

This is your brain as art! 100 brains are on display around the city to promote discussion and to raise funds in support of brain health. The Brain Project, presented by TELUS, features brain sculptures designed by established and rising members of the art community, celebrities and now by our very own NBA basketball team, the Toronto Raptors, who came pretty close to winning the Eastern Conference finals.

My brain by Rainer Lagemann

"In its inaugural year, The Brain Project encourages the public to get outside, explore the city and most importantly, start a conversation while supporting care and research into aging and brain health at Baycrest Health Sciences. Fans of the project are encouraged to join The Brain Project’s #noblankbrains movement by texting the word “BRAIN” to 45678. Every $5 donation will be matched by TELUS up to a total of $50,000." The brains will be auctioned off at a later date to provide further financial support to Baycrest.

Shades of you by Samara Shuter

The sculptures are available for viewing at 50 prime Toronto locations such as Union Station, First Canadian Place, Brookfield Place and quite a selection in Nathan Phillips Square. "Head to Ryerson University to see a sculpture by celebrity photographer George Pimentel; stop by MaRS Discovery District and take in how Barry Oretsky celebrates the power of the imagination; visit Brookfield Place to see Samara Shuter’s suit and tie clad sculpture; or stroll through St. Lawrence Market, where Erin Rothstein gives food on the brain new meaning."

Kim Kardashian and her daughter North West joined in the project and their brain sculpture is at Union Station, train not the subway, in the York Concourse.