How was your ride today? Week of June 14th

Submitted by Julie Gregg on

The bicycle is just as good company as most husbands and, when it gets old and shabby, a woman can dispose of it and get a new one without shocking the entire community.
Ann Strong
Minneapolis Tribune, 1895.

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Today's Spin - Over a Duck?

Submitted by bclark on

Just east of Crowchild on the south side of the river a Mallard was sitting in the grass on the right-hand side of the trail. When he saw me coming he crouched to take off and I was 95% sure he was going to fly right into my front wheel if I continued on my line. Likely this would have been both messy (for the duck) and painful (for me)! Thus I had to quickly swerve across the trail, likely surprising the guy sitting on my wheel. I guess it's a good thing I didn't hit the brakes instead! Anyway, another good arguement against drafting on the pathways IMO.

Strida 1 - Gopher 0

Submitted by Cword on

I'm back to ordinary rides today. Ten commutes on 10 different bikes along with riding the tandem and Strida on the weekends means I used 12 bikes over the course of 14 days.

My daughter usually rides the Strida to work, and came home slightly traumatized Saturday. It seems a gopher had run across in front of the bike and then reversed direction and ran back. Bump, bump. One dead gopher. I asked her if she cut off the tail to mount on the bike as a trophy and got one really good "oh dad" looks in return.

Enjoyed the tailwind this

Submitted by Julie Gregg on

Enjoyed the tailwind this morning, nice bright sunshine and still warm, not sure what to expect for the ride home. Dude in front of me was irrritating....almost took out a Canada Goose, made a jogger jump to the side of the path, then blew thru' 2 stop signs and a red light....thing is he wasn't very far ahead of me and I was stopping at all these things. What an idiot!!

Headwind all the way in

Submitted by sherryrunswest on

It was quite nice out except for that headwind. Felt like I couldn't keep a straight line as some of the gusts had me veering slightly from side to side. Plus I sprained my index finger this weekend so didn't have a full grip on the handlebar on the left side so that probably didn't help. At least it was quiet on the pathway this morning, more runners than usual, only one other bike.

Fast, Cool and no Confrontations

Submitted by gyrospanner on

I passed about six or eight other cyclists, nobody passed me. I didn't have to fight a headwind, dodge any geese or joggers. Nice Ride in!

Who knows what the ride home is gonna be like? It was looking pretty black in the west this morning......

Could be hail, headwinds & meteor showers?

HAH!

1 day MS Ride

Submitted by litui on

Did the MS Ride on Sunday. Weather couldn't have been better, though I got pretty crispy on the one arm and neck. It was a faster average pace than I'm used to and some of the hills are pretty crazy, but I managed to push through it with only the one stop in Carstairs at the 40k mark.

I'd do it again. =)

http://rnkpr.com/a6o3v7

Smart Geese

Submitted by winterrider on

The geese on the south side of the river between Crowchild and Downtown are smartening up. After reports of the hissing at cyclists last week, they demonstrated a new tactic this morning.

As I approached what looked like two families of geese, and prepared to be hissed at by the parents on the side of the path, I was impressed that instead of hissing, as soon as they saw me coming they gabble gabbled at the goslings nearest the path, who immediately backed off onto the grass.

Since I had slowed down considerably (since there were about 20 chicks scattered on both sides of the path) I had time to then make eye contact with the parent in question, and I think we understood each other pretty well.

I wonder if all the geese will figure this one out (that goslings on bike paths is bad) or if it was just this particular group. But I am certain that out of the 4 parents this one had taken it upon themselves to do precisely that.

parenting skills of these

Submitted by Julie Gregg on

parenting skills of these geese have always impressed me...I've seen huge groups of 20 or more goslings, sometimes as many as 30 being supervised by only one pair of adults and the rest of the adults are off doing their own thing. They seem to have developed a great sharing program!!

Busy!

Submitted by InglewoodGuy on

Came in an hour earlier this morning for some meetings, etc. and saw a ton more riders than I usually do, especially on 5 St SW south of Stanley Park. Lots of friendly waves and hellos. No close calls, no stress, bit of a tail wind. Pretty much an ideal ride for a Monday morning.

Dark side

Submitted by InglewoodGuy on

As good as the ride in was yesterday, the ride home was a total gong show. Started off by falling over while clipped in waiting for a light on Elbow. My toe got caught in the overlap behind the front wheel while I was trying to wait the light out. Dumb move, nothing hurt but my pride. Then later on I had a very erratic driver weaving around in front of me (came to a complete stop because I was scared to pass her), followed by jumping my chain off the chain rings. Just a weird ride alltogether, never felt quite "right".

Rain Rain Go Away

Submitted by gyrospanner on

It was raining pretty good when I left this morning (well at least for the first 5km / 10 minutes).

I could feel the water in my shoes - I hate that squishy feeling.

The rain eased up a little bit to "sprinkle" for the rest of the ride until I got a couple of blocks away from work : Go Figure!

The weatherman says it should quit raining this morning....

I too had squishy feet, wet

Submitted by Julie Gregg on

I too had squishy feet, wet hair, damp from the waist up and pretty wet thru' from waist down.....was in running shorts so no worries with the water on skin, most of it was from the spray coming up from the wheels and puddle splashes. Hopefully everything will be dry to put on for the ride home and clear skies will prevail.

ever try these?

Submitted by Dionysis on

I have used paddeling socks for years now when it gets wet and they sure keep my feet dry. Only problem is that they REALLY smell after a while, even after washing them. Not sure how scuba divers stand it ;-)
And they are great on the cool and snowy days of the early spring and late fall since they also keep my feet warm.

Interesting you mention

Submitted by Julie Gregg on

Interesting you mention that! I don't clip in so my "cycling" footwear is in fact my "no longer for running, running shoes".....perfect in dry weather but not good in rain, they take forever to dry out. As an experiment I tho't I'd try a pair of water shoes, you know the type used for canoeing and rafting. That is what I wore yesterday. The soles are decent and hang on to the flat pedals OK, they got seriously wet and so did my feet but they were in deed dry by home time. The only weird thing about them is that I feel like I am riding in my socks! I haven't totally decided if I want to continue using them for cycling in rainy weather but I do know I will use them for holidays!! Great to have when on the rocks in the ocean.

Won't be dry.

Submitted by BCDon on

If it is raining your feet won't be dry. BUT, there are things that will keep them "not as wet" :).

Road cycling shoes are generally lighter and have a number of (if not fully) synthetic components so they will dry quickly and, they vent well meaning water will run out well (but on the other side cascades in also). Regardless of type of shoe, if you stuff with newspaper when you get home (or to the office), the newspaper will draw out the water. Check after a couple of hours and change the paper.

If you want to keep your feet warm, albeit still damp and pruney, wear some kind of VBU (Vapour Barrier). Goretex socks sorta work but Safeway plastic bags with elastics at the ankle are perfect. Wear a very thin pair of socks between the plastic bag and your feet for blister protection and comfort. Your feet will sweat and they'll be damp but they won't be cold and wet.

Neoprene booties over your shoes will help as well, they aren't waterproof but like a wetsuit, they'll let some water in and provide insulation - Pruney feet.

Personally I like the support of cycling shoes so wouldn't go with pure neoprene booties of any kind, even with a stiff rubber sole. And, I like to be clipped in (because, well, its all I've been used to for over 40 years), I predate clipless pedals.

Finally got to ride

Submitted by BowCycle on

With my mother in town for a visit, I haven't gotten out for a ride in a week. The closest I got was getting onthe rollers to watch a World Cup game before anyone in the house got up. Today I looked at the weather and said I'm riding because if I don't I won't get the chance. A little rain never felt so good!

Bob G.

“Bicycling is a big part of the future. It has to be. There’s something wrong with a society that drives a car to workout in a gym.” – Bill Nye, the Science Guy

bikes@bowcycle.com
www.bowcycle.com

I'm sitting at my desk

Submitted by gyrospanner on

in my office, in my rain gear, watching the rain just pelt the side of our building something fierce and I'm thinking about that part in the movie Apocalypse Now where surfer dude Lance jumps out of the helicopter -

"I'M NOT GOING! I'M NOT GOING!"

Keeping with the Movie Theme....

Submitted by gyrospanner on

On the way home from work, I stopped for a pee on the riverbank down in Bowmont Park (where I often unsuccessfully go lookin' for tigers and / or mangoes?), and I slipped down the bank about 8 or 10 feet and fell in the river. Not as exciting as the scene in Romancing the Stone, but pretty funny. I ended up about knee deep in the river - some observations -

1) Where is that cute blond when you need her to break your fall?

2) The river was actually both quite high and quite warm! Compared to some of the puddles I drove through on the way home, like along Memorial...

3) There was a lot of crap coming down the river; logs, old toys, garbage, car parts, leaves, etc. etc. If it keeps raining like this, maybe we're in for another good flood?

I am still drying my stuff ...

Submitted by gyrospanner on

I've got a lot of clothes hanging up in front of the fan in the basement. Not to mention the muddy stuff that had to be washed and is now in the dryer!

It was really, really wet out there, but I pack my knapsack like that guy "Bear Grylls" from Man vs Wild, ie. everything inside is in a watertight bag. And then I wear a MEC cover over the knapsack, as well. It keeps everything dry, well, at least in the pack......

Shoes, socks & shorts - they get wet! And muddy!

Everything under the raincoat is OK!

It's crazy that this deluge is supposed to last another week or so! I noticed that there are very few people riding in to my workplace today....

Just plan to be wet!

Submitted by winterrider on

I have all synthetic hugging cycling clothes and plan on being soaked when it rains. It actually felt really good yesterday. And to deal with the cold I just ride harder if I'm feeling a little chilly until I'm warm enough. It makes for great training, and I never have to worry about getting soaked by my own sweat because of all the waterproof layers on me (which for me always get me soaked from the inside out).

Obviously I have no suggestions for shorts, but just in case you were wondering if you really need to be dry, my answer would be no (as long as you have a dry towel and clothes at your destination).

EMBARRASSED!

Submitted by Julie Gregg on

For this morning's ride I chose to wear some pants I have never used for cycling before. They are a type of nylon, tan in colour, and have bungee in the hem so they can be made any length you want. I decided they were the fastest drying pants I own (hiked in them often) and after being soaked last night tho't they would work great. Sooooo, there was only a slight drizzle when I came in but the spray from the tires soaked the entire backside and crotch of my pants, no big deal, so I looked like I wet my pants, nothing to worry about UNTIL I realized this material is 100% transparent when it is wet!! CRIPES, the poor people behind me as I walked thru' the lobby of BMO and stood in the elevator.

Fenders

Submitted by vonbergm on

Will solve your problem. And also prevent you from spraying dirt into the face of the person who is unlucky enough to ride behind you. :-)

fenders

Submitted by 2wheeler on

I have fenders on my winter commuter but not on my summer bike. It sure would be nice if somebody made some easy on easy off fenders with a quick release so that you could just put them on for the very few days you need them in Calgary in the summer.

Only takes 20 seconds

Submitted by winterrider on

I've got a cheap plastic rear fender that screws on and off (with a big plastic screw). Takes about 20 seconds to put it on or off, and I leave it to the frame to catch the worst of if off the front tire. I know its not a quick release, but for the few days it rains its not that bad.

That said I get wet feet if the road is wet, even if its not raining.

Thanks V but trust me,

Submitted by Julie Gregg on

Thanks V but trust me, spraying the people behind me wasn't what was causing the embarrassment.......your point however is appreciated.......yes, fenders would have been WELL worth it this morning.

yes, not so much an issue....

Submitted by vonbergm on

... with our low commuter numbers in calgary, especially in rain. that said, i do get sprayed by fenderless riders from time to time and find it quite annoying. it makes it very difficult to overtake these people in rain since it requires quite a bit of space to avoid the water and dirt people's tires kick up. fenderless riding in these conditions certainly does not help to get us anywhere close to where we might want to get.

And I see

Submitted by BCDon on

Most bikes have chain guards and fenders. Riders with umbrellas and full ponchos. And I don't recall seeing a single person use a hand signal which kinda surprised me.

It is however interesting in the totally different culture. For the most part the Calgarians who commute (including myself when I do), wear our more traditional bicycle specific clothing and then shower and change at the office whereas in Europe, you cycle at a more moderate speed and wear the clothes that "you'll wear" when you get to your destination.

attempted egging

Submitted by RV_Rider on

I was riding through Sundance last night during the break in the rain. As I'm look down I see the remains of an egg skidding across the pavement in front of me and then a blue minivan speeds by. It took me a second to figure out what was going on, but my guess is the egg disintigrated in the hand of the thrower in the van as it speed by. I got the license plate, but what good is that? They didn't actually hit me with the egg, but they sure had the intent to. Wierd.

Absent from Commuter Challenge

Submitted by gyrospanner on

Did anybody go?

My suspicions are that it was a big party held for people who don't regularly commute, but think that they are on the "green wagon" as they volunteered to do some stuff in the support of "the cause," so it's time to party (get pissed)! Well, that's OK.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, I was rebuilding my forks, where I wasted a can of Brake Fluid, used 300 ml of the Evil Thing Called Oil ("ETCO") and had to wash my hands at least 4 times (probably using a Petroleum based cleaner, ETCO again) and I didn't really feel green at all (quite black at some times!).

Most of the people probably drove to the party - ETCO again!

I'm not trying to offend anybody that was involved in the Commuter Challenge, just trying to point out that people should realize that one week per year doesn't really make a difference...

I'll be on the bike tomorrow, just like the other 200 days a year, so party!

Yes, I was there, so was my

Submitted by Julie Gregg on

Yes, I was there, so was my coworker who rides daily, we both did the challenge. Appeared to be many cyclists there judging by the helmets on ppl's heads and bikes locked up outside. You got a free drink ticket for showing up and another ticket if you got there by means other than driving alone, i.e carpool, transit, walking, cycling all qualified for a second ticket. The food was excellent, the band was good and I was really happy I made the effort to get there. The grab bag full of swag was a bonus!

Judgemental, me?

Submitted by Julie Gregg on

This morning was a little too close to the parking lane and almost got doored. The vehicle was an SUV type and the driver pushing the door open with her foot (cuz I guess that's the only way she could manage) was grossly overweight, had a coffee in one hand and a cigarette hanging out of her mouth and was struggling to get herself out from behind the steering wheel..........can't get that picture out of my head!

They took ma road away..... :(

Submitted by winterrider on

Since starting work again after returning from paternity leave, I have been riding the bow river pathway to work instead of the road because it is faster (shorter distance, no traffic lights). I justify this by saying that I can't spare the extra 5 minutes each way due to sleep deprivation, and really its ok to go 35 on the path because its rainy so there are fewer people, and fewer bike cops.

Well today I decided to end this string of lame rationalizations and hit the road all the way in. So once I reached Shaganappi trail (riding west on Memorial Drive), instead of taking a right and hitting the path, I went through the lights and took my first left on the route I was using in April. This is when I noticed something was amiss....

As I approached the end of the block I noticed orange fences and piles of dirt everywhere, with the occasional bulldozer placed hither and thither. As I approached the end of the asphalt I saw three construction workers approaching and noticing that they were looking at me I commented rather sadly that the road was gone :( They agreed that it was and smiled as they said it would be ready for me next spring.

I spent two minutes looking for a sidewalk or some sort of sneaky path around the construction, but there is none. They have dug up an entire block of road, including both sidewalks, and run fences over the grass right to the neighbouring buildings.

The downside is that now I will have to ride another two blocks on Memorial Dr through the 60km/hour zone in order to stay on the street, and this happens to be the one stretch of Memorial where I can guarantee some driver will hate me for being there. Oh what joy. I guess I'll work on my 60 km/hour sprint this summer so I can keep up with traffic and avoid real trouble. Only problem is I can't go that fast.

It's not the first time

Submitted by winterrider on

That's the second time I've messed up descriptions of that intersection. I blame the rise in blood pressure as I relive the terror of having a massive pickup accelerate right behind me and lay on the horn. Good times!

Floods in Fish Creek

Submitted by majchers on

Going down hill from the end of Acadia Dr. SE into Fish Creek this morning I had to 'float' my bike thru over a foot of flood water! And in the afternoon on my way home as well. Amazing, it never happened in this area in my 3 years of bikng thru this streatch of Fish Creek...

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