Alright, let's hear your squeals of joy over the plus-side temperatures this week. Better yet, I challenge each and every one of you to post a picture of you with your bike (taken some time during this week) showing you wearing shorts. I'll kick it off with this picture I took under the 10th St NW bridge today while on a 37 km inner-city loop ride to inspect pathway and river ice conditions:
clean
Submitted by umgray on
took the opportunity of the sun and warmth to actually hose down the salt lick....I mean bike and clean and lube it totally! It looks great. Now thinking that with the warmth, slush and all of the nice biking this week I might keep it clean and bring out the hack single speed winter bike. The only issue I am having is the appearance of the black ice in the morning and the winter bike had big knobbys not studded tires so I will have to see how that goes but at least it will be easy to clean.
Not sure about shorts yet?
January brings a whole new crop of boot campers
Submitted by Cword on
Some go left, some go right some stay in the middle of the road, some even have lights.
Shorts and Mittens
Submitted by pinkrobe on
My first shorts and mittens ride of the year! Huzzah! I was out XC skiing yesterday, and my adductor magnus are complaining very loudly today. That didn't stop me from ditching the tights and/or leg warmers for this morning's ride. +4C when we left the house, and warm all the way in. The roads were clear once we got off of Prospect, but before that there was little change from last week. Craploads of brownsnow, vague wheel ruts to follow.
___________________
Who causes accidents?
Fancy Pants
slicks
Submitted by 2wheeler on
I put the slicks back on today, maybe a little premature. The pathways I take are still mostly ice and snow covered. Although I did get to work without incident.
I might try to take a picture of the ride this week, but sure I'm not wearing shorts. They don't go well with a tie.
Shorts every day this week!
Submitted by ride on
I think it's doable: shorts every day this week! pinkrobe and I are in... anyone else?
Here's the Calgary forecast for the week: plus temps every day!
I Slept in today!! So
Submitted by swak on
I Slept in today!! So pussied out on riding, but tomorrow, you'll have an update from me! - and hopefully my shorts.
Cleaned the bike off though totally.. Bike was caked in salt, still some jammed on the otherside of the chainring... No sense going right down, as im almost positive it will get back to that state in a few weeks...
Enjoy the good weather!!
Okay
Submitted by Julie Gregg on
I'm in for the shorts but truthfully I don't have any that come to the knee, mine are all those short (at your butt) running things....I'll see what I can find, will you accept capri length?
Roll 'em up
Submitted by pinkrobe on
Running shorts - yeah, it's not that warm. I think capris are fine if you roll them up so that they're above the calf, otherwise they're shants. ;-)
___________________
Who causes accidents?
Fancy Pants
hahha, good one I was
Submitted by Julie Gregg on
hahha, good one
I was actually thinking about that 7:00 a.m. ride with the potential ice fields!! If a person wiped out and slide across the asphalt in those darned shorts it could be a nasty bit of road rash in January!
OK, I'll go for the rolled up look.......
I went down right before the
Submitted by scottmeyers on
I went down right before the thaw started. Shorts, tights, and liner and I still have road rash and a big raszzzberry on my hip... damn little rocks. although probably not as bad as pink on pavement.
Slush Fest
Submitted by sheik yerbouti on
When I got to work I was rather impressed with all the grime on me (ze fenders, they do nothing)
... like being on parade ... -40
Submitted by NW_Tri_and_Bike on
I remeber being formed up and the guy beside me was french... 'ze gloves they do nothing...
http://ridecalgary.blogspot.com/
Bow River Path
Submitted by Julie Gregg on
north side, from 10th Street (Outdoor Counsel) to 14th Street - CLOSED. You have to ride on the upper pathway which has patchy slush, snow, ice & water.
Rode the Bent today
Submitted by Spinner on
Nice fast, easy, comfy ride. No fenders on it, so the backs of my legs got a bit wet from the front tire spray. Wet roads all the way, only the parking lot at work was bad, had to push the bike. As for shorts, don't know about that. Shorts this time of year on a bent, well with the wind blowing directly up the legs, the boys might be a tad cool by the time I get to work. I'll see if I can get a shot of the ride in this week.
Nailed down my first almost
Submitted by scottmeyers on
Nailed down my first almost hundred k (94km) of the new decade. Took the cross bikes out into the country roads. We traveled out on center street until we found the first grid road and didn't look back. Stopped at the Humptys on QE2 North of Airdrie for lunch and made it home as the sun started to set. The hard pack gravel was great. Hardly any to very few cars so we could ride three abreast and chat the whole day. Loved it! I hope this can set the pace for the rest of the year.
did the same thing ... cx road ride
Submitted by NW_Tri_and_Bike on
near my inlaws in SW Sask... didn't pull 94 km as we were there for a funeral so I kept it to 90 minutes... http://ridecalgary.blogspot.com/
first fixed ride...
Submitted by denimjeff on
finished up the new fixed last night and took it out for a test ride. SO FUN! this morning is the first roll into work on it...wish me luck!
Mittens and shorts - 2/5
Submitted by pinkrobe on
Day 2 with my knees in the breeze. That was one hell of a tailwind! I broke more of a sweat standing in line for coffee than I did riding my bike. My right knee was bugging me a little [teaching a friend how to link turns on a snowboard last night, kneeling on a hard chunk of something], and I'm generally tired. Most days, I'm still in the shower right now.
___________________
Who causes accidents?
Fancy Pants
Eagle Ridge Drive
Submitted by umgray on
OMG, this is the biggest mess I have seen on a road. No sidewalks, seniors home and 200 to 300 Hospital staff walking to the hospital. Its a connector between the pathway from Heritage park and the Rocky. Called 311 but need others to call if this is your route.
I agree 100%. considering
Submitted by spp_24 on
I agree 100%. Considering this is part of a major pathway route I was suprised at the poor road condition. I called 311 as well
Morning Report
Submitted by Julie Gregg on
left the house at 7:15, already plus 7, 3 degrees warmer than yesterday same time. Getting out of the neighborhood is a joke, like riding on the beach!! Path is awesome, strong south wind, confused me, that's not common. Yes, I was wearing my shants.....will have them rolled up for the homeward bound and get the photo op done for posting this week. Game on.
short pant ride
Submitted by Julie Gregg on
Stew, you kindly posted instructions for adding photos but I am lame when it comes to that stuff....here is the link for todays ride in short pants!!
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=376229&id=846205485&l=fff838528a
Bow & 26th SW
Submitted by grapeape on
Noticed ambulances and a bike at the intersection of Bow Trail and 26th Street SW this morning around 7:50am. Hope everyone made it in ok today...
saw that too, there was a
Submitted by ggdub on
saw that too, there was a cyclist sitting on the curb being attended to by ems, didn't see any obvious signs of a collision with a car, but that doesn't mean they weren't clipped. Alternatively, could've been just a bad wipeout due to ice.
heavy load
Submitted by critninja on
I had to bring some supplies to the store today - here is a photo -
http://tweetphoto.com/8578142
Was pretty fun flying down 17th ave sw at 60kph!
www.bikebike.ca
Pashley
Submitted by pinkrobe on
Do you know what you're going to be carrying for Pashley? I know a couple of fashionable ladies who might be into a Provence or Sonnet Bliss...
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Who causes accidents?
Fancy Pants
pashley bikes
Submitted by critninja on
we have the poppy and princess classic on order right now, but can get the others if people are interested. I assembled a sonnet bliss for a woman in town a few weeks back and it was a very nice machine for sure.
i like the look of that provence too although i dont think they are very popular in north america.
www.bikebike.ca
Good to know!
Submitted by pinkrobe on
Good to know! I'll spread the word once you're open in mid-Feb.
___________________
Who causes accidents?
Fancy Pants
Crossing Shaganappi by Children's Hospital.
Submitted by sheik yerbouti on
Some $#*&%#@ has decided to fence up the university side of Shaganappi trail today, preventing all the pedestrians and cyclists from easily crossing over from Montgomery. Made the last part of the commute a nuisance.
Mittens and Shorts - 3/5
Submitted by pinkrobe on
Man, I am tired. Went in to work an hour early yesterday, ended up not riding home until 11:30 last night, up again and out the door on time this morning. :p
Anyway, the ride in was brisker than yesterday, but still warm. There were more than a few twits and pishers on the roads, more horn honking going on than I've heard for a while [not directed at us].
___________________
Who causes accidents?
Fancy Pants
Shorts and mitten pics
Submitted by Cword on
Yesterday, Jan 12
Shorts, gloves and chapped lips
Puddle shot, got to try this again with the flash turned off.
Mike
Wonderful!
Submitted by Julie Gregg on
Rode in short pants and light layers, wonderful for January, I forgot how much less time it takes to get ready in milder temps than the minus 25 days!! My ice phobia paralysed me for the first few minutes but realized it is mostly dry and no ice to worry about, it felt like a nice autumn ride....
Louise Bridge (South Side)
Submitted by grapeape on
Went for a walk at lunch today - city crews were busy using heavy equipment to clear the ice jam from under the 10th Street Bridge - not sure if the barricades came down but the ice is gone.
Nothing out of the ordinary
Submitted by sherryrunswest on
Glad to have the pathway under South Side of 10th St bridge finally clear. Smooth sailing on the way home last night (and this morning), no barricades anymore.
This morning was uneventful. The only word of caution (someone also mentioned this yesterday) the section of pathway on the South side between 14th Street and Crowchild is icy! With there being a slight angle towards the river the snow bank on the road side is melting away towards the river leaving a sheet of ice across the path to contend with. On the way home last night (heading West), I came across a runner who was running towards me in my lane so they could avoid the ice, they did move over in plenty of time thankfully.
Traffic Jam
Submitted by RichieRich on
Yep, a "traffic jam" on the sheet ice happened there on the path this morning. At least 4-5 cyclists and a jogger were held up for an unbelievable 3-4 seconds. Fortunately cooler heads prevailed and no horn honking, cussing, finger salutes, tailgaiting, people going postal, or improper passes were witnessed. :)
North side
Submitted by grapeape on
Thought I'd avoid the icy section and crossed at crowchild to the north side. Bad idea. The construction at Memorial has the bike path closed and a detour on to the pedestrians only path sucked - it is only partially cleared.
yep, I guess we pick the
Submitted by Julie Gregg on
yep, I guess we pick the evil we know best ....I usually ride on the north side but because of all that construction tho't I'd try the south side, so you and I did exact opposite...neither side is ideal....so I'll ride on the north tomorrow morning, it's the side I am most familiar with.
Shorts and gloves - 5/5
Submitted by pinkrobe on
It was just a hair below zero this morning when I left the house, so I was able to continue on in shorts. The pogies have allowed me to ride with just my regular bike gloves, so that's a bonus. Traffic was light today, but there are still plenty of d-bags out there on the main streets.
___________________
Who causes accidents?
Fancy Pants
5/5 here too
Submitted by ride on
It was five out of five for shorts this week for me too - a most unusual January thaw. Dare I hope for a second week as well?
---
'ride' at 'bikecalgary.org'
Bicycles aren't obstructing traffic, they're part of traffic
A little colder
Submitted by pinkrobe on
Forecast next week looks pretty good for shorts, although the overnight lows are on the chilly side...
___________________
Who causes accidents?
Fancy Pants
are...
Submitted by NW_Tri_and_Bike on
knee warmers cheating?
http://ridecalgary.blogspot.com/
only...
Submitted by pinkrobe on
if you don't roll them up to uncover your knees.
___________________
Who causes accidents?
Fancy Pants
Round the Res
Submitted by pinkrobe on
My buddy and I rode around Glenmore Reservoir today. I can honestly say I've never seen so many people walking the path. In the Weaselhead, by Glenmore Landing, by the marina, by Heritage park, they were everywhere! I got a few quizzical looks as I was in shorts. There were the usual families all holding hands stretching across the whole path.
There were some super sketchy sections on the path. We passed a couple of folks walking their bikes on the slippery bits, and both of us bailed at least once.
___________________
Who causes accidents?
Fancy Pants
Improved mood
Submitted by Jaykay65 on
First ride of the new decade was on Monday to work. Of the 6KM distance I ended up walking about 2KM as the snow that was still covering the pathway was soft and kept eating my front wheel.
The ride home that evening was no problem, as I can remain on the road because it is downhill and keep my speed up so as to avoid the pathway. Still some sections of the pathway that I do have to ride on were impassible with the bike, but only about 200 meters.
Tues - Thurs was not feeling well fighting off a cold and did not want to face the long "walks" each morning.
Friday was much better. After the week of melting that we have experienced I was able to ride most of the way, with only about 100 meters of walking in broken sections of my commute in each direction.
I took your challenge Ride, but only for the evening rides. Good thing as both morning rides had me laying on the ground at some point as I was trying to mount a frozen curb. I could only imagine the damage had I not had my pants on.
It is funny how many comments I got about how much of a better mood I have been in this week. It's because I am back on the saddle.