How Was Your Ride Today? Week of Dec. 13, 2010

Submitted by pinkrobe on

This week will come in like a wet, salty lamb and go out like a frozen lion.

In other news, how was your ride today?

p.s.: Don't forget to post pathway and on-street bike route conditions in the main bike route conditions forum instead of the "How was your ride today?" postings. It makes it easier for new members to find out what's going on in their neck of the woods. Cheers!

Forums: 

Uneventful

Submitted by DarrenB on

Pleasant, uneventful commute this morning. Pathways through Baker Park and Bowmont are in great shape right now -- a lot of ice melted over the weekend, and today should get the rest. That's if it ever warms up down in the valley, though -- it was surprisingly chilly down there this morning!

Its a cold trap

Submitted by winterrider on

I live at the bottom of the hill below the ski jumps at COP. I have learned to always check both the weather on line, and the thermometer outside my kitchen window, because they will often differ by up to 10 degrees.

Anyone coming down the hill from Tuscanny/Silver Springs should be prepared to go into a deep freeze.

Now its not always colder, but more often than not it is. The nice part though is riding into the warmer air mass, which usually starts somewhere near the Montgomery Safeway.

It may be that the bike path on the north side of the Bow through the park isn't as cold as my route on the south side of the valley, but I would be surprised if that was the case before the sun comes up.

-6 for me

Submitted by winterrider on

Further to my comment above, I started out in -6 temps this morning at 8:30. I didn't know it was that warm at the airport!

ice jam

Submitted by critninja on

Checked out the closed section of pathway by the zoo and the ice jam is quite impressive. Although its officially closed it looks like lots of people are still riding through there.

Beautiful day today!

Spring?

Submitted by Oggie on

On the ride home I spotted two robins along the path east of Fort Calgary. I know they overwinter in small numbers but it was still a nice surprise.

Path south of the bird sanctuary is in good winter condition. Largely hard-pack with only the odd rut starting to form in the softening snow. Just enough to keep me alert!

Roads crews were out on the weekend shoveling and salting the ramps at Bonnybrook bridge, and only one or two icy patches now remain. I also pitched in, clearing the approaches to the wooden trestle under the tracks on Saturday.

thanks for the update!

Submitted by denimjeff on

i've been meaning to go through there but a stomach bug has kept me off the bike for the better part of the last 2 weeks. any news from bonnybrook through beaver dam flats to glenmore?

Great Unknown

Submitted by Oggie on

I haven't been down through Beaverdam since the snow came a month ago. Too afraid! Not something I'd want to cycle through if I was commuting, but if you're looking for an winter adventure it would be a fun ride. I usually use 18 Street to get to the Graves bridge from Bonnybrook.

Beaverdam gets a fair bit of foot traffic, especially south of the CN bridge, so I'm sure there is a packed single-track through the park. Contractors working in the park have plowed the path starting at north end, but I'm not sure how far south it continues.

had the first "fun" ride home

Submitted by denimjeff on

had the first "fun" ride home tonight since the snow fell on your route suggestion (usually i ride the roads home). aside from having to walk across the glenmore bridge and some bumps on the MUP along ogden road the route was great...wondering if we passed each other? thanks again:)

Bonnybrook bridge?

Submitted by Oggie on

Glad you were able to finally make it south today. Great day for a ride. I passed a cyclist heading north on the bridge at around 4:30 on the way home. Based on the tracks in the snow the route is getting a fair bit of use by cyclists, which is nice to see.

I submitted a 311 request to have the crossing over the Bow at the Graves Bridge (Glenmore Trail) cleared. I think Roads is responsible for the maintenance. It took a couple of emails last winter before it was finally plowed.

Bonnybrook bridge (Ogden Rd.) to Glenmore MUP

Submitted by fastlayne on

I did this ride on the way home today. From the bridge to where the trail passes under Deerfoot is plowed. The next 500 or so yards is loose but rideable. Then it turns into packed single track to the railway bridge followed by plowed path through the open area. More single track through the trees and up the hill to Lynnwood Ridge. Alont the ridge to Glenmore is packed but RAP (rough as phuck). It is passable but I will stick with Ogden Rd to 24th Street for the rest of the winter.

Thanks!

Submitted by Oggie on

Thanks for braving the route and giving us an update. Sounds like its in the usual crappy winter condition again this year.

The path along Ogden through Alyth to the bird sanctuary is holding up well. Some of the ruts are starting to grow but are still manageable; haven't been bucked off yet.

Not surprised

Submitted by winterrider on

That part of the path is always treacherous. Covered in patches of ice on a slight off camber path on slight hill with a slight turn. If you fail to compensate for any of those you'll be down in a flash. It really is an accident waiting to happen for much of the winter.

One wonders if there isn't some way to redesign the path so that the melt water goes somewhere else. Maybe a gutter on the uphill side of the path to a trench with a grate on top.

From Crowchild underpass

Submitted by BCDon on

If the section you're talking about is the section to the west of the underpass where the "underpass route" rejoins into the main route which goes lowere. YES - That needs to be redone. I've almost lost it there in summer because you have no idea where people are going. Some come off the path and come up to the bridge (heading East) and turn onto the bridge but some go straight through.

What's worse is when people are boogying along the lower path and others want to either come off the upper path or turn onto the upper.

In general, a LOT of confusion.

That area could be improved by:
1) Having the "join" points later.
2) Haveing the upper trail stay "upper" longer and not go down as quickly.
3) Make the area where the merges are LARGER so there is more room.
4) Make the actual merge area longer so you have more time to look and merge.
5) Smooth out the area so it isn't so bumpy.
6) Put in a pedestrian bypass so that we don't get bikes and joggers and walkers and skaters and dogs all in the same tiny little area - geeze.
7) Then, once that's done, put in some proper drainage so that water goes UNDER (what a concept) the pathway through a pipe or something. Some engineer MUST be able to figure this part out.

So yes, it CAN be fixed if the city decides to.

Right along with X-Ray Specs.

Submitted by chrisguy on

Is where they should sell studded tires , they're about as effective. :P

Anyhoo, buddy was on his feet and coherent, saying his hip was sore from going down. There were four or five other cyclists there at that time, so no shortage of help and I rode off.

I have bitten it there more than once (yeah yeah slow learner) but have now learned that particular lesson. It makes me wonder why so many people still think it's a good idea to hold their speed riding through there. The way I get passed at that location everyday makes me fear that someone's going to pile it coming from behind me and then add me to their accident...not a party I'm looking forward to.

Serious Scare on Home Road

Submitted by gyrospanner on

Soooo....

I'm going down the hill and some D-Bag Supreme goes flying by me down the center of the road in a F-250 of F-350 Crew Cab, pulling a really long snowmobile trailer. Well, he must have been upset that he had to pass me, because he made a rather abrupt turn to get back into the lane, which caused the trailer to swing towards the curb and almost knocked me into the pile of snow at the edge of the road.

Now I can add "Big Truck Pulling Snowmobile Trailer" to the list of "Things I'd Like To Shoot With A Rocket Launcher."

If you must know, the list isn't a long one, but previously included a SMART car, a HUMMER and that noisy, annoying Ice Cream Truck.

HAH!

You can add

Submitted by BCDon on

Big truck pulling speedboat to your list. That one almost got me last summer in the South as I was coming back from 22X into the city along that crappy little narrow road. The truck driver had no clue as to how long his rig was. Gave me lots of room as the truck passed but then with half a boat to go he came all the way back into me where there is no shoulder. Luckily I can ride in a width of about 6 to 8 inches (right handlebar over the ditch, tire on the edge.

Evil

Submitted by Nosaj on

I encounter a guy in a F350 at least three times a week on Flint road who I swear is out to get me. I travel it 5:15 in the morning and it is a wide road. I started by doing my best to 'take the lane' while being resonable and he buzzed past at about the three foot mark. Next day, same lane placment, about a foot and half from his mirror this time. Now recognizing the roar of his engine I move over. Still he has me pressed nearly up onto the square curb. So I really like the rocket launcher idea or else a large sharp pole to 'show' how close is getting. and that ends my rant

licence number

Submitted by 2wheeler on

write down his license number and call CPS. They may or may not call him but at least they'll be a record. At that time of day there is no reason he can't give you the entire lane.

White Snow

Submitted by gyrospanner on

We have it in my 'hood. Same snotty, slippery consistency as brownsnow, but it's clean.

I'm glad that there is only about a block and a half of it.

Signed "Sidewalk Surfer"

Snow clearing on residential roads

Submitted by amf673 on

I guess that, this year, the city is more committed to clearing snow on residential roads. I have lived in my current place for going on eight years and have only seen the plow four times. Once last year and three times this year. They have a new strategy though. Where last year they plowed the whole laneway and piled the snow onto my sidewalk, this year they just plow out the middle of the lane, leaving a deep stretch of dirty, icy, slushy crap between the cleared lane and the curb. It makes for interesting on street parking, unless one wanted to shovel out a space. With the narrow cleared lane and the usual parked cars there isn't much room left. This has made for a couple of interesting standoffs the last few days. I am not riding into that crap so that a 4000 lb, 200 HP pile of metal can stay in the cleared lane!

Good from Harvest Hills

Submitted by geoffw on

Rode today but have not been riding much. Happy that the pathway at 32nd near Calgary Transit is open again! And..... They continue to clear the nose creek path all the way from 64th to Harvest. Thanks City of Calgary

Not cleared?

Submitted by pinkrobe on

I saw signs up last week for snow clearing. The west-bound bike lane looked pretty good, and the east-bound lane was up next. Is it just loose gravel, or did they pile snow in there too?

26th ave SW

Submitted by theorangejacket on

I rode some of it this morning, graveley, sloppy...no piled snow though, so technically plowed. Needs a sweeper to run through there for sure.

Agreed

Submitted by sherryrunswest on

Rode my little bit of 26th Ave this morning and it is covered in gravel. The lane is now devoid of all snow (my section anyway, can't speak for the entire lane) it's just the thick gravel that remains. To avoid it there is about a 1 foot wide clear-ish strip close to the white painted line. I personally like to be a bit closer to the curb side, have had cars/trucks early AM drive right close to the white line, a little too close for comfort for me.

x2

Submitted by fastlayne on

I decided to take 11th St SE this morning, the bike lane is covered. 11th is a busy road, you would think they would plow it right to the curb.

Dry?

Submitted by pinkrobe on

Parts of my commute today were actually dusty dry. Actually, it was probably just a layer of salt over everything, but I'll take what I can get. The City continues to tease me with brownsnow removal. I swear they do randowm 5' wide strips across the road, but leave the ice ruts in place.

I had to sprint for the light at 2nd and 9th. I barely make that light when I'm on my road bike. I came close to spinning out a 3:1. Who says studded tires slow you down?

Salt Crews Doing A Great Job!

Submitted by chrisguy on

The pathway through Stanley Park this morning was white with salt, with nary a slippery patch in sight. That's what the north pathway at the Crowchild underpass needs to look like until the problems there get solved.

My summer route

Submitted by Scott on

Figured I would take my summer route to work and see what was up. Not much. Had to ride side walks and foot packed trails most of the way. The city sure is picky on what it does and doesnt want to clean up. I realize in a city with a footprint the same as New York that its not easy to get to every single part of the city to plow but when I see a path plowed, ends then 100 yards away starts again I cant help but shake my head a bit.

Ranting aside, great ride in. Slow and methodical. Thats one thing I notice about winter rides vs. summer rides.. the pace. It's much more zen. As a result, I actually ride more in winter than I do in summer. The heat and eating bugs is a strong deterrant as well mind you in summer but it's just not as peaceful as winter is. It's dark, quiet, lonely, pretty, crunchy sounding, slow and just the right temp the majority of the time (if dressed accordingly).

Loving the two wheeled invention.

Zen and the art of winter riding

Submitted by theorangejacket on

I know exactly what you mean. The winter commute seems somehow more "epic" than a summer one for all the reasons you described, lonelier, definitely quieter but for me, so much more of a sense of commuting accomplishment.
I think the helmet liner and being bundled up some helps with the peaceful, isolating feeling. The bond with fellow winter commuters is higher too - these ain't no frivolous, casual, fair-weather summer wanderers - winter commuters are skilled, determined and dedicated to the craft.
For sure there seems to be more endomorphins collected at the end of a winter commute.

in the moment

Submitted by ride on

you hit the nail on the head with that post.

In addition I would say that winter bike riding has a strong element of moving meditation. You must be in the moment, not thinking about any other issues, while you ride in the winter, because you must be continually scanning the road surface in front of you for clues on how to ride. The riding this time of year is so technical that there's little opportunity to be distracted. I love this. By springtime, my riding skills are usually way up, and then they slowly atrophy over the course of the summer.

Snow Paths

Submitted by JohnE on

I have three snow paths on my route (the short, the medium and the longer), and I sort of feel like I'm getting a little city mountain biking in every day - very fun even when it does get colder.

Edgemont MUP

Submitted by RichieRich on

Anyone else wish use the MUP path North from the World Health either to the top of Edgemont Blvd or up past the tennis courts towards Superstore?

I ask cos they used to plow/clear but now they're not. No alternative options except to ride the road which gets quite busy 5-630pm weekdays.

Need to tell 311

Submitted by chrisguy on

We need to let the City know about these missing links. Nicole Jensen has told us that there will be additional snow clearing budget for 2012, with planning underway now for routes to be considered.

I use

Submitted by NW_Tri_and_Bike on

the part from the tennis courts up to superstore some times along with the section that goes up to Nose Hill...

Free coffee

Submitted by pinkrobe on

There was a parking dude in the parkade this morning. After I popped out of the bike room, he stopped me and gave me a coupon for free coffee at Good Earth. How cool is that?

The ride in was pretty good. An additional 10' of road has been cleared of brownsnow. I was totally overdressed - I thought it was going to be -20C out, but it was -10 or something. Salt facial all the way in...

Eternal red light

Submitted by tbbruck on

I swear, that red light at Bow Trail and 26th street will be the death of me! I always manage to pull up a milisecond too late and miss the green (northbound on 26th). Thus ensues the 8+ minute wait for the next green, during which time I freeze because I'm standing still. And to top it off, the green only lasts 6 seconds! I'm only halfway across Bow and the light turns red!

I can't wait for the pedestrian overpass to be re-built. Slow progress though...

Stupid Question maybe

Submitted by BCDon on

Is there a "walk light" button that can be pused to reduce the wait time down from EIGHT minutes? I can see that they have Bow Trail taking priority, especially during rush hour but I'd think they should have a walk light button.

There is. If you are going

Submitted by amf673 on

There is. If you are going southbound and there is no other traffic, you have to press the button, otherwise "No light for you!". Northbound hitting the light seems to make no difference to the wait (but I could be wrong). I think there are a lot of people using 26th as a way to avoid construction further west so it is seeing a lot more traffic than usual too. Sometimes the drivers have to wait two lights to turn left onto Bow Trail.

Should have gone

Submitted by sherryrunswest on

This morning I got to the intersection, having just missed the green as usual. There were a couple of runners on the SW corner waiting to cross. There is a ped. button because they got to go at least 2 minutes ahead of my green light. While standing around waiting I noticed that there were no other green lights while the walk sign was on. Everyone in a vehicle was at a standstill. I'm thinking I should have gone through with the runners while the walk sign was on (it counts down from 35 or so secs - too long IMO as the runners were long across before the time was up). The green light for me was yellow by the time I was halfway across, nowhere near the time the walkers get.

When coming home I know that even if I'm just turning the corner from Sovereign and get a glimpse of the intersection, if the light is green and the walk sign is going I know that I can pedal hard and get through in plenty of time. Gives you an idea how long the walk sign actually is.

Go with the runners.

Submitted by BCDon on

I'd just be going with the runners and YES, I'd ride my bike across :).

When people put obstacles in my way and make it unsafe I'll go with whatever appears to make things safer. And in this instance, riding across a crosswalk under a walk light with all traffic getting a red light is far safer than waiting for a green light and then only getting half ways across before yellow and then red.

Went with the runners

Submitted by sherryrunswest on

So it appears that when the walk light goes for those crossing northbound it is also a left turn for cars heading east on Bow Trail (there were no cars waiting yesterday so it appeared as though no one was moving in the intersection).

So this morning the same 2 runners appeared while I was waiting and they thankfully pressed the button. The difference this morning, there were 2 cars on the north side of Bow Trail waiting to turn left onto eastbound Bow Trail. I decided I was going to go with the runners (not knowing when those 2 waiting cars were to go). When the walk sign appeared the cars also started to go so I simply ducked in closer to the runners so the 2 cars could turn left (usually take the lane straight across).

Bow and 26th

Submitted by theorangejacket on

Worst intersection ever...EVER!!! No sign of pedestrian overpass which was supposed to be completed in Fall 2010. Like you I am constantly running an orange light since there's not enough time to cross - anxiety inducing what with icy, snowing conditions and rabid start Calgary drivers....and the wait!! Yes, long wait in and amongst the automobile exhaust (breathing hard after climbing that hill too).

I can't say enough bad things about that intersection!! Ironically, since the construction started it used to be bad, and now it's even worse. I have resorted to hitting the pedestrian button and crossing on the East side. So now if I'm am freezing or hurrying I've stooped to the level of crossing frogger style - one lane, then wait and do the other lane....walking though and I hate getting off the bike!
I saw a rather rickety and unsteady senior attempting to cross the other day with construction vehicle blasting thru as well as the house on that corner hasn't shovelled their sidewalk adding to the trickery of it all.

Ack what a nightmare, worst part of my commute by far! I have rage now :(

Pedestrian overpass at 26th and Bow

Submitted by theorangejacket on

Just a bit more on this. I worry that the promised overpass will not be very effective. The old one was pretty bad, I'm thinking this one may not be as far East as it needs to be and then I will have to tromp up hill and cut through that park. I've looked at the WESTLrt website and it has a bunch of really nice pictures but no actual information (regarding the placement of the overpass and surronding infrastucture) so it's a hope for the best kind of thing really.

Quiet

Submitted by pinkrobe on

'Twas pretty quiet on the roads today. Whatever the City is spraying on the roads was really doing the job - I don't think I rode through any unmelted snow at all. Even the brownsnow was being broken down into some weird sludge. My wife's light went out halfway to work. Not my fault - I told her to charge it. It's a good thing she's going to the pub after work instead of riding home...

Calgary's chemical romance.

Submitted by theorangejacket on

[this isn't going to make you feel any better]
On the Bow river, the path is nice and clear, which is awesome, however there is literally piles, actual mole-hills, of, I'm guessing, salt sort of scattered around. This is about 30 feet away from the river.
I know everything ends up in our water anyway eventually but this just seems really close and super concentrated. We (Calgary) needs to find a balance. I can't help but think that the salting of the roads and pathways couldn't be done with more care and precision.
I hate to complain about this though.
ps: my bike is rusting :(

found this...

Submitted by Scott on

Oh boy... the main thing is to prevent death by accidents but basically acceptable to kill us all long term is what I get from this read.

http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ewh-semt/pubs/contaminants/psl2-lsp2/road_salt_se...

I wonder... how bad it would be if there was no salting? Just plow and gravel. Things would be much slower for one and as a result... accidents would be less too I bet. When the road is wet and slushy, people drive pretty fast I feel. Speed kills.

I'm really not liking this world of ours the more I investigate and learn. It breaks my heart.

All I know is when they apply

Submitted by critninja on

All I know is when they apply that stuff to the roads we cannot put bikes out front of the store as it coats them in this powdery filth that is hard to clean off.

I don't want to kknow what it does to my lungs.

I know exactly what is does to metal - rusts it quick!

Interesting Article

Submitted by BCDon on

but not surprising. It's interesting watching what has been happening out West over the years. I'm sure that in the past the amount of salt that Calgary used was a LOT less (if we used any at all). And we've always have gravel (although they call it sand) on the roads. But I remember when we used to get REAL winters that were cold, it was just too cold for the Salt to do any good.

Now, compare that to Southern Quebec and Ontario where there is pure salt coming out the back of a truck!

But then I wonder, if you have our small snowfalls and we have a mixture of salt and gravel, how is that compared to a large Montreal dump and pure salt. Which has the higher concentration of Chlorides?

But, it is a moot point as they will continue to salt and gravel the roads.

And then, I use salt in my water softener. Wonder what that does.

But, I also have a water filter installed at the kitchen sink so I have filtered drinking (and cooking if people use it) water.

Not palatable

Submitted by theorangejacket on

I can attest to the horrid taste of this ice melting cocktail, last week when it was warmer and more sloppy and messy, I was spashed full across the face, including my open mouth. Happily I had my water bottle with me for rinsing purposes, but I swear I could taste it the rest of the day. Yuck.

calcium chloride

Submitted by mikewarren on

is I believe the new "super salt". It creates heat when dissolving, I believe. It is in some foods also (as drying agent, I think), but not sure how "edible" it really is...nor what hundreds of tons of the shit do to fish.

late night rider

Submitted by Julie Gregg on

As I was climbing into bed last night I looked over yonder to the Bow River path from my bedroom window. Lo and behold there was a cyclist riding west, I peeked at the clock and it was 12:34 a.m.

Any of you going for a midnight ride?

Miracle on Ogden Road

Submitted by Oggie on

There really is a Santa! And he rides a bobcat, not a sleigh!

Heading to the truck stop in Inglewood to meet friends for breakfast this morning, I was merrily cycling on the path along Ogden Road when I crested the small hill underneath the CN bridge. My jaw dropped when I saw that a bobcat had cleared the path to 50 Avenue sometime on Friday.

What had been a hand-shoveled trail was now wide enough for two bikes, and even the the traffic island at 50 Avenue had been plowed. I went back later and cleared some of the ice chunks that had fallen onto the path but this section is now in its best shape since early November.

Now to see if Santa brings me the pony I asked for Christmas!

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