Great ride, nice have the path open along Alyth yards/bird sanctuary. Looks like the welding on the new fence is done and all that is outstanding is the chain link.
Uh Oh! Flat tire this morning. Luckily, I put my studs on yesterday to put in the 40kms to get them ready for winter (Crappy windy ride but that's for another post)
So by doing this, I had taken my commuters off, put on studs, removed studs, put commuters back on. So by the time I went flat this morning, it only took me about 8 minutes to change my tire. I also left late this morning so it was already daylight out. Sure was nice out this morning, despite the wind.
Switched over to the Fall/Winter/Spring bike today. Rather than the 700x23 and 25 tires that I'm used to I enjoyed the plush comfort of 26 x 2.25 tires. It was dark so I couldn't tell, but I think the city repaved and fixed all the tree roots on all the bike paths I take, and all over a single weekend. Great ride.
Riding....what's that? I LOVE AUTUMN! I can't wait to get a few last rides in to Fish Creek & Chestermere! It's gunna Be SwEEET! My rides to & from work have been nice.
Stuff to do. EVERYTHING is at a halt. I already had a lazy week last week, this was supposed to be my push week. haha *sucker* Bike is in shop until Thursday. Groceries on hold. Looking for road bike $150, yea I know I'm cheap. It's gonna be vintage, it's gunna need a fixin, & it's gunna die next week! Okay let's be optimistic, it's gunna be my FIRST road bike! Hope I pick a good one. Hummus hummus hummus!
I've been battling the wind gusts, what is the scientific explanation as to why it's always windier later in the day? ....wut?
The pathways have these yellow polka-dot thingies all over, and when I ride I hear this sizzly/crackly sound! Weird!! I checked my bike up and down three times and can't figure anything out! Those yellow dots on the path don't really seem to affect handling or anything. In fact, they produce a sweet and earthy perfume, and they really pick up the twilight sun beautifully. I was going to call 311 to complain, but the yellow dots seem harmless. Maybe it's a city art project? If only I could figure out where that crisp crackling is coming from... Otherwise, my rides have been great! Less daylight than a few months ago, but good.
Last spring, I started to wear my CygoLite headlight on my helmet as it gives me better control over where the light shines. I discovered one big disadvantage of this setup this morning.
I was about 1/4th of the way into work when my headlight started blinking. This is a warning that the battery is almost drained and sure enough, it died soon after and I had to ride for the rest of the way in the dark. If I had the light on my handlebars as I used to do, I would have seen the blinking intensity light switch, another indicator of a low battery.
The ride really made me wonder 1) how can people ride with those bright blinking headlights and 2) how can nayone be on a dark path with no lights at all! Hated going under the 14th St. bridge on the south side of the Bow because the lights have been out there for a while.
Also, yesterday afternoon did anyone else see that big branch that had been blown off a tree and that landed on the path right at the east entrance to Point McKay? I did not realize it was that windy as this was a fairly big branch.
Good riding right now regardless of equipment or tree failures ;-)
Judging from all the riders with poor to no lights out there this morning it really doesn't matter if you have a bright light or not. Just leave it to chance and hope for the best.
Oh, what? Having a light on one's bike isn't just for one's own safety but the safety of other pathway/roadway users?! Who'd have guessed...
You have just highlighted another reason to install TWO lights on *each end* of on your bike - batteries die "unexpectedly" or run low on juice, lights fall off, people have accidents and break light mounts, sometimes they freeze and turn off, or maybe even your buddy needs an emergency backup.
Putting a flashing headlights on me helmet makes me neaseaus/dizzy and gross feeling. In another few weeks I'll put my helmet light on but I keep it on steady beam when off the MUPs and off completely on the MUPs. I currently have one of MECs 2-LED's on my front fork and a handlebar Planet-Bike 1W flasher, and on the back I have one high on my helmet, on my seatpost (mega flasher), and one on my pannier. Doing my best Christmas tree impression.
If you're like me and don't like being hit by cars, it's nice to know that you'll be seen.
That said, my approach to being seen is this - When some douche hits me in spite of my multiple flashing lights and reflective vest, then says to the cop that he 'didn't see me', I want the cop to look at him like he's simple, then slap him. I really think that that is the least that I can hope for.
I meant to ask you before, RichieRich, do you mind showing me or everybody a picture of your human Christmas tree display?
I saw a man late at night, a black ninja dude ( as you all refer to ) & he had a rear blinkie, a front blinkie, one on the back of his helmet & a couple more, & than he changed lanes & again, & I thought he needs some arm BLINKIES!!! hahahaha Right from the pit to the wrist. I'm Srs. Where can I get some of those???? If they made them.
Also I've seen one pic online of a "Lit Jacket" Lights inside the jacket, can't seem to find them anywhere online.
I was coming down the hill beside Shag golf course and my light started to flicker. I've noticed in the past week that it has been doing that, it appears to be the connection between the battery and the light itself that seems to be the issue not battery power. Usually I just have to touch the connection to ensure it is tight and things are fine again.
This morning it kept flickering as I got onto the pathway. I tried to adjust while riding but it made things worse, the light went out completely several times. I ended up pulling over as I couldn't get it to come back on. It also happened to be in one of the worst spots for darkness, just after Crowchild Tr. bridge just before you go through the section after the water fountain/port-a-pottie (I stopped just before that little hill).
I managed to get things working again thankfully. Couldn't imagine riding in darkness, it was a little scary even for the few seconds before I pulled over.
It had me thinking that I should get a backup light for times like these. I will be purchasing one very soon. I don't want to opt out of riding just because my light isn't working, having 2 would solve that problem.
Where do you stick it? Where do they stick it? In those little bags between their tube areas? (correct terminology pls) Well I'd put the extra light on. I haven't had to replace batteries yet for my cheapy lights.
... these days usually go on the handlebars near your stem. Some even on the stem which is nice. The mini double-LED's from MEC have little elastic bands so easily go on fork legs or any bike part or through helmet vents.
After your light has been on for at least 20+mins and when you get home from riding is when you should be checking whether your lights are throwing out enough and if your batteries are toast, not when the lights go dark.
whaddaya doing? ridin' nekid? where do you keep your house keys then?
Commuting I either have a backpack or panniers so my stuff goes in there. It really doesn't take much space. If road riding then riding jerseys typically have 3 pockets to pack in your food, clothing, and tools. Many folks buy bike-specific saddle bags (various sizes available) which install under your seat. If you park your bike in a public place these saddle bags might grow legs though.
I wanted to know about the roadies that go zoomin by. I never see them carrying anything! hahah Maybe they've just been so fast, that I only see a blurr anyways, cuz they've got those little sacks under their seats, that's where they must put them. Why am I still on this silly comp!!
Oh I don't mean to be a time waster. so embarrassed lately. Time to have time off of forums. :0
On my road bike I have a small pack under my seat. Holds 2 tubes, some patches, 3 CO2 cartridges, a small multipurpose tool, money and some eyedrops for contacts. I use jersey pockets to carry some food and any clothing I need plus car keys.
On my commute bike I carry a single pannier that everything goes into.
On my mountain bike / 2nd commute bike I have a rear rack pack with whatever I need to carry.
Quite windy and more gusts called for this afternoon.
Also saw a guy who I will dub Mr. Flobots twice on my last 2 trips home (their song from a couple of years ago goes: "I can ride my bike with no handlebars..."). Dude's always shirtless and has his hands over his head. Must be hard to ride far like that.
It was open this morning but closed on the way home. The detour is a path leading from the closure at the east end of the completed River Walk to 9th Ave, and then you are on the road until you can hook up with the Bow pathway again. This will be not too bad in the mornings when I am headed downtown, but a bit more traffic navigation required heading out of downtown in the evenings. Nice to have the Alyth/Bird Sanctuary path open again though- the bridge is great!
First off, sorry for this long question. ;-)
For those of you who ride on the south pathway, you know that the city repaved the small part that connects the main pathway to 3rd Ave. (immediately east of the 10th St. bridge underpass). You also know that the city added an extra "feeder" path to this main connector (they simply paved over a path that people had worn into the grass).
This morning I was heading east on the main path and was approaching this connector path. I noticed a pedestrian taking the first new section so I decided to go down 7 or 8 meters and take the older section. I turned right onto the connector path and was just approaching the part where the two paths join together again when this idiot, who had obviously just taken the newer path, went screaming by me on my right side. The jerk gave no indication he was there and that he was going to pass me.
In this situation, who has the right of way? Was I in the wrong in that I should have looked back over my right shoulder to see if anyone was coming or was he in the wrong since he was obviously behind me? Regardless, I know the guy should have made some kind of signal but I was just curious about this.
This is one of the issues with the pathways, there is no signage to indicate who has right of way anywhere in the system (or if there is it's pretty limited).
I've had the same question at this point. I would always have assumed it to be the path you were on, given that it was the "main" path orginally. However, if you look in the drivers handbook for Alberta, it clearly states "yeild the right-of-way to the vehicle on your right" at an uncontrolled intersection.
I tend to do the same at this junction. By going up further you bypass the pedestrians but I have noticed that most bikes use that first new entrance now. There is the potential for meeting up at the junction. I always shoulder check because most bikes just blow straight on by whereas I have to merge over to get to the right hand side of the path to continue east. When I have seen a bike coming by shoulder checking (usually they don't slow down at all) I simply have stayed to the left until they pass and I can safely move to the right.
The Parks and Pathways Bylaw is pretty clear. You yield if you're on a trail entering a path, or on a path entering a road; and you yield to the right at uncontrolled intersections. If I understand correctly, the guy was approaching you from the righ, so he had the right of way.
Tough to call - I would assume that the new segment of path is merging onto the already established path so he should have yielded.
But "yield to those on the right" also makes sense too although I am not sure if this would be considered an intersection i.e. when you are driving and you merge onto Crowchild, is the point where the two lanes meet considered an intersection?
In either case, he should have signalled (no grey area on that one!) and from now on, I'll be sure to look over my shoulder.
Might mention this to the city and see if they can put a yield sign there.
Too bad they didn't make the paths one way in opposite directions i.e. the new addition for coming into downtown and the old path for getting onto the main Bow River path.
When you merge onto Crowchild that would be an intersection, yes. But most certainly the feeder road has a yield sign, so people going down Crowchild have the right of way.
I was enjoying the ride home yesterday afternoon when all of a sudden felt this picking sensation on my left thigh. Turns out I was stung, I assume by a wasp. I think it flew up my shorts only an inch or two from the hem. So I probably trapped him in there on the up stroke. I didn't stop riding but kept rubbing that spot to make sure the little bugger wasn't still in my shorts. Sure felt like it cause that spot kept stinging all the way home. Had a glance at the area when I stopped at Bow Trail. It was quite red and swollen. Even this morning it feels like someone punched my thigh, feels bruised, I'm still very aware of the exact spot. Have had many close calls with wasps on my rides home recently, just last week when one hit just above my upper lip. Glad I had my mouth shut at the time!
I've had one bee hit me in the chest and fall into my shirt (and sting me after crawling around for a while), and I've had 3 other bees fly into me on the paths all in the last month.
Having been stung numerous times by both bees and wasps in Calgary, I think that a wasp sting would be more immediately painful, as in you would immediately want to stop and get off the bike. But this is not always the case.
I smacked into a bee or a wasp and got stung on the thigh at the end of August. I had a reaction similar to yours- the area around the sting got swollen and felt infected- it seemed to spread over the next few days. I've never reacted to a sting like that before. It got better in about a week, but I still have a slight bruise or discolouration there, a month later. Someone at work went to the hospital with a severe reaction to a bee sting on her arm and was told there that apparently they saw a lot of reactions to bee stings this summer- not sure what that means- something funny going on with the bees?!
that awful sound of a spoke breaking in your rear wheel. In my 36 years of cycling, I have amazingly never experienced this before. Luckily, I was literally a house away from where I was going when it happened.
My usually tailwind driven eastward commute into downtown was not so pleasant today. Add in my lead legs and it was an unusually hard ride in today. Looking at wx.ca it seems the morning commute had a much easier go of it.
I hope the wind keeps up for the ride home (without changing directions obviously).
With the exception of the last 5 commutes I have had headwind both directions most of the spring/summer. It's good for conditioning, that's what I tell myself.
I could get used to fall
Submitted by fastlayne on
If it stays like this, dreaming.......
Great ride, nice have the path open along Alyth yards/bird sanctuary. Looks like the welding on the new fence is done and all that is outstanding is the chain link.
Uh Oh! Flat tire this
Submitted by Tyrone on
Uh Oh! Flat tire this morning. Luckily, I put my studs on yesterday to put in the 40kms to get them ready for winter (Crappy windy ride but that's for another post)
So by doing this, I had taken my commuters off, put on studs, removed studs, put commuters back on. So by the time I went flat this morning, it only took me about 8 minutes to change my tire. I also left late this morning so it was already daylight out. Sure was nice out this morning, despite the wind.
Cushy ride this morning.
Submitted by sheik yerbouti on
Switched over to the Fall/Winter/Spring bike today. Rather than the 700x23 and 25 tires that I'm used to I enjoyed the plush comfort of 26 x 2.25 tires. It was dark so I couldn't tell, but I think the city repaved and fixed all the tree roots on all the bike paths I take, and all over a single weekend. Great ride.
Monday Morning
Submitted by iLuvGR33N on
Riding....what's that? I LOVE AUTUMN! I can't wait to get a few last rides in to Fish Creek & Chestermere! It's gunna Be SwEEET! My rides to & from work have been nice.
Stuff to do. EVERYTHING is at a halt. I already had a lazy week last week, this was supposed to be my push week. haha *sucker* Bike is in shop until Thursday. Groceries on hold. Looking for road bike $150, yea I know I'm cheap. It's gonna be vintage, it's gunna need a fixin, & it's gunna die next week! Okay let's be optimistic, it's gunna be my FIRST road bike! Hope I pick a good one. Hummus hummus hummus!
I've been battling the wind gusts, what is the scientific explanation as to why it's always windier later in the day? ....wut?
Happy Riding peeps.
Strange...
Submitted by philosohpie on
The pathways have these yellow polka-dot thingies all over, and when I ride I hear this sizzly/crackly sound! Weird!! I checked my bike up and down three times and can't figure anything out! Those yellow dots on the path don't really seem to affect handling or anything. In fact, they produce a sweet and earthy perfume, and they really pick up the twilight sun beautifully. I was going to call 311 to complain, but the yellow dots seem harmless. Maybe it's a city art project? If only I could figure out where that crisp crackling is coming from... Otherwise, my rides have been great! Less daylight than a few months ago, but good.
Wet yellow dots
Submitted by fastlayne on
When it rains you will have a different opinion on the nice yellow dots.
cycling Councillours
Submitted by critninja on
Here is a great shot of Coun. Carra in Inglewood - https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=853922&l=aaa7da321d&id=1233565743...
Note he has his foot down, making him legally allowed to use his phone!
..
Submitted by iLuvGR33N on
Nice
scary this morning
Submitted by Dionysis on
Last spring, I started to wear my CygoLite headlight on my helmet as it gives me better control over where the light shines. I discovered one big disadvantage of this setup this morning.
I was about 1/4th of the way into work when my headlight started blinking. This is a warning that the battery is almost drained and sure enough, it died soon after and I had to ride for the rest of the way in the dark. If I had the light on my handlebars as I used to do, I would have seen the blinking intensity light switch, another indicator of a low battery.
The ride really made me wonder 1) how can people ride with those bright blinking headlights and 2) how can nayone be on a dark path with no lights at all! Hated going under the 14th St. bridge on the south side of the Bow because the lights have been out there for a while.
Also, yesterday afternoon did anyone else see that big branch that had been blown off a tree and that landed on the path right at the east entrance to Point McKay? I did not realize it was that windy as this was a fairly big branch.
Good riding right now regardless of equipment or tree failures ;-)
Don't worry
Submitted by bclark on
Judging from all the riders with poor to no lights out there this morning it really doesn't matter if you have a bright light or not. Just leave it to chance and hope for the best.
Oh, what? Having a light on one's bike isn't just for one's own safety but the safety of other pathway/roadway users?! Who'd have guessed...
lights out
Submitted by fastlayne on
If I forget to recharge my light I ride the streets instead of the pathway.
Backups
Submitted by RichieRich on
You have just highlighted another reason to install TWO lights on *each end* of on your bike - batteries die "unexpectedly" or run low on juice, lights fall off, people have accidents and break light mounts, sometimes they freeze and turn off, or maybe even your buddy needs an emergency backup.
Putting a flashing headlights on me helmet makes me neaseaus/dizzy and gross feeling. In another few weeks I'll put my helmet light on but I keep it on steady beam when off the MUPs and off completely on the MUPs. I currently have one of MECs 2-LED's on my front fork and a handlebar Planet-Bike 1W flasher, and on the back I have one high on my helmet, on my seatpost (mega flasher), and one on my pannier. Doing my best Christmas tree impression.
Side View
Submitted by SpeedyJ on
I have a similar set-up plus a set of wheel mounted lights that glow red, the do wonders for visibility and are only about $8 each at MEC - http://www.mec.ca/AST/ShopMEC/Cycling/Lights/PRD~5019-682/nite-ize-spoke....
If you're like me and don't like being hit by cars, it's nice to know that you'll be seen.
That said, my approach to being seen is this - When some douche hits me in spite of my multiple flashing lights and reflective vest, then says to the cop that he 'didn't see me', I want the cop to look at him like he's simple, then slap him. I really think that that is the least that I can hope for.
Light Up My Night
Submitted by iLuvGR33N on
I meant to ask you before, RichieRich, do you mind showing me or everybody a picture of your human Christmas tree display?
I saw a man late at night, a black ninja dude ( as you all refer to ) & he had a rear blinkie, a front blinkie, one on the back of his helmet & a couple more, & than he changed lanes & again, & I thought he needs some arm BLINKIES!!! hahahaha Right from the pit to the wrist. I'm Srs. Where can I get some of those???? If they made them.
Also I've seen one pic online of a "Lit Jacket" Lights inside the jacket, can't seem to find them anywhere online.
dealer
Submitted by RichieRich on
don't think I can volunteer to be the supplier of your "bike porn" photos!! ;)
I'll see what I can do for a photo but will have to ask my wife and endure her mocking me (again). Will also have to put my valve-stem side-light on.
Actually MEC has probably the best selection of bike lights around, as does Bow Cycle, and I'd think BikeBike would have some too.
http://www.mec.ca/AST/ShopMEC/Cycling/Lights.jsp
The LED strap lights work quite well for putting around your arms, or knees, or ankles. Or reflector straps.
Weird, similar experience
Submitted by sherryrunswest on
I was coming down the hill beside Shag golf course and my light started to flicker. I've noticed in the past week that it has been doing that, it appears to be the connection between the battery and the light itself that seems to be the issue not battery power. Usually I just have to touch the connection to ensure it is tight and things are fine again.
This morning it kept flickering as I got onto the pathway. I tried to adjust while riding but it made things worse, the light went out completely several times. I ended up pulling over as I couldn't get it to come back on. It also happened to be in one of the worst spots for darkness, just after Crowchild Tr. bridge just before you go through the section after the water fountain/port-a-pottie (I stopped just before that little hill).
I managed to get things working again thankfully. Couldn't imagine riding in darkness, it was a little scary even for the few seconds before I pulled over.
It had me thinking that I should get a backup light for times like these. I will be purchasing one very soon. I don't want to opt out of riding just because my light isn't working, having 2 would solve that problem.
Gotta gotta gotta have a
Submitted by Tyrone on
Gotta gotta gotta have a spare light! Got a spare tube, need to have a spare light. Just a cheapy will do, just to get you by!
Always C these Roadies
Submitted by iLuvGR33N on
Where do you stick it? Where do they stick it? In those little bags between their tube areas? (correct terminology pls) Well I'd put the extra light on. I haven't had to replace batteries yet for my cheapy lights.
light mounts
Submitted by RichieRich on
... these days usually go on the handlebars near your stem. Some even on the stem which is nice. The mini double-LED's from MEC have little elastic bands so easily go on fork legs or any bike part or through helmet vents.
After your light has been on for at least 20+mins and when you get home from riding is when you should be checking whether your lights are throwing out enough and if your batteries are toast, not when the lights go dark.
haha
Submitted by iLuvGR33N on
I didn't mean the lights. I just meant extras: tires, lights, first aid, lube, tools
For the ones that do not carry a back pack or panniers, or have a basket or have pockets in their clothing.
Ah I am bad at communicating, no doubt.
nekid
Submitted by RichieRich on
whaddaya doing? ridin' nekid? where do you keep your house keys then?
Commuting I either have a backpack or panniers so my stuff goes in there. It really doesn't take much space. If road riding then riding jerseys typically have 3 pockets to pack in your food, clothing, and tools. Many folks buy bike-specific saddle bags (various sizes available) which install under your seat. If you park your bike in a public place these saddle bags might grow legs though.
lol Not Me!
Submitted by iLuvGR33N on
I wanted to know about the roadies that go zoomin by. I never see them carrying anything! hahah Maybe they've just been so fast, that I only see a blurr anyways, cuz they've got those little sacks under their seats, that's where they must put them. Why am I still on this silly comp!!
Oh I don't mean to be a time waster. so embarrassed lately. Time to have time off of forums. :0
Storage
Submitted by BCDon on
On my road bike I have a small pack under my seat. Holds 2 tubes, some patches, 3 CO2 cartridges, a small multipurpose tool, money and some eyedrops for contacts. I use jersey pockets to carry some food and any clothing I need plus car keys.
On my commute bike I carry a single pannier that everything goes into.
On my mountain bike / 2nd commute bike I have a rear rack pack with whatever I need to carry.
Small saddle bagp
Submitted by winterrider on
On the road bike I have a small saddle bag with tube, patch kit, pump, CO2, and a mini tool.
When I'm out with my club it seems to be about 50/50 with guys/girls choosing to use a small saddle bag or just stuff it all in their jersey pockets.
Annnnd, wherever you ride
Submitted by gyrospanner on
Pathways, or the road, It's the Law to have a working light, tail light & a reflector....
Windy
Submitted by chaingunsofdoom on
Quite windy and more gusts called for this afternoon.
Also saw a guy who I will dub Mr. Flobots twice on my last 2 trips home (their song from a couple of years ago goes: "I can ride my bike with no handlebars..."). Dude's always shirtless and has his hands over his head. Must be hard to ride far like that.
Oh Yea.
Submitted by iLuvGR33N on
Where is this? Do tell. x)
Easy riding
Submitted by pinkrobe on
No muss, no fuss on the rides today.
Fort Calgary to River Walk path is closed
Submitted by Lisa on
It was open this morning but closed on the way home. The detour is a path leading from the closure at the east end of the completed River Walk to 9th Ave, and then you are on the road until you can hook up with the Bow pathway again. This will be not too bad in the mornings when I am headed downtown, but a bit more traffic navigation required heading out of downtown in the evenings. Nice to have the Alyth/Bird Sanctuary path open again though- the bridge is great!
Alyth path makes me smile
Submitted by fastlayne on
My commute is completely relaxing now that I don't have to ride the streets and bounce along the irrigation canal path.
Ditto
Submitted by Oggie on
Lovin' the new asphalt and wider catwalk.
Still seeing lots of cyclists using the WID path, are the detour signs still up?
Where is this?
Submitted by theorangejacket on
I want to check it out!
(could use a smile)
South
Submitted by fastlayne on
It he Bow River Path south of 9th Ave SE, not scenic and it can smell bad but it was closed since June 24th so that's why I smile.
right of way question
Submitted by Dionysis on
First off, sorry for this long question. ;-)
For those of you who ride on the south pathway, you know that the city repaved the small part that connects the main pathway to 3rd Ave. (immediately east of the 10th St. bridge underpass). You also know that the city added an extra "feeder" path to this main connector (they simply paved over a path that people had worn into the grass).
This morning I was heading east on the main path and was approaching this connector path. I noticed a pedestrian taking the first new section so I decided to go down 7 or 8 meters and take the older section. I turned right onto the connector path and was just approaching the part where the two paths join together again when this idiot, who had obviously just taken the newer path, went screaming by me on my right side. The jerk gave no indication he was there and that he was going to pass me.
In this situation, who has the right of way? Was I in the wrong in that I should have looked back over my right shoulder to see if anyone was coming or was he in the wrong since he was obviously behind me? Regardless, I know the guy should have made some kind of signal but I was just curious about this.
No signage to indicate
Submitted by bclark on
This is one of the issues with the pathways, there is no signage to indicate who has right of way anywhere in the system (or if there is it's pretty limited).
I've had the same question at this point. I would always have assumed it to be the path you were on, given that it was the "main" path orginally. However, if you look in the drivers handbook for Alberta, it clearly states "yeild the right-of-way to the vehicle on your right" at an uncontrolled intersection.
So I guess we'd both be wrong...
Shoulder check
Submitted by sherryrunswest on
I tend to do the same at this junction. By going up further you bypass the pedestrians but I have noticed that most bikes use that first new entrance now. There is the potential for meeting up at the junction. I always shoulder check because most bikes just blow straight on by whereas I have to merge over to get to the right hand side of the path to continue east. When I have seen a bike coming by shoulder checking (usually they don't slow down at all) I simply have stayed to the left until they pass and I can safely move to the right.
Yield to the right
Submitted by Richard Z on
The Parks and Pathways Bylaw is pretty clear. You yield if you're on a trail entering a path, or on a path entering a road; and you yield to the right at uncontrolled intersections. If I understand correctly, the guy was approaching you from the righ, so he had the right of way.
keep my eyes open from now on
Submitted by Dionysis on
Tough to call - I would assume that the new segment of path is merging onto the already established path so he should have yielded.
But "yield to those on the right" also makes sense too although I am not sure if this would be considered an intersection i.e. when you are driving and you merge onto Crowchild, is the point where the two lanes meet considered an intersection?
In either case, he should have signalled (no grey area on that one!) and from now on, I'll be sure to look over my shoulder.
Might mention this to the city and see if they can put a yield sign there.
Too bad they didn't make the paths one way in opposite directions i.e. the new addition for coming into downtown and the old path for getting onto the main Bow River path.
Merge
Submitted by Richard Z on
When you merge onto Crowchild that would be an intersection, yes. But most certainly the feeder road has a yield sign, so people going down Crowchild have the right of way.
Stung
Submitted by sherryrunswest on
I was enjoying the ride home yesterday afternoon when all of a sudden felt this picking sensation on my left thigh. Turns out I was stung, I assume by a wasp. I think it flew up my shorts only an inch or two from the hem. So I probably trapped him in there on the up stroke. I didn't stop riding but kept rubbing that spot to make sure the little bugger wasn't still in my shorts. Sure felt like it cause that spot kept stinging all the way home. Had a glance at the area when I stopped at Bow Trail. It was quite red and swollen. Even this morning it feels like someone punched my thigh, feels bruised, I'm still very aware of the exact spot. Have had many close calls with wasps on my rides home recently, just last week when one hit just above my upper lip. Glad I had my mouth shut at the time!
Or a bee
Submitted by winterrider on
I've had one bee hit me in the chest and fall into my shirt (and sting me after crawling around for a while), and I've had 3 other bees fly into me on the paths all in the last month.
Having been stung numerous times by both bees and wasps in Calgary, I think that a wasp sting would be more immediately painful, as in you would immediately want to stop and get off the bike. But this is not always the case.
Me too
Submitted by Lisa on
I smacked into a bee or a wasp and got stung on the thigh at the end of August. I had a reaction similar to yours- the area around the sting got swollen and felt infected- it seemed to spread over the next few days. I've never reacted to a sting like that before. It got better in about a week, but I still have a slight bruise or discolouration there, a month later. Someone at work went to the hospital with a severe reaction to a bee sting on her arm and was told there that apparently they saw a lot of reactions to bee stings this summer- not sure what that means- something funny going on with the bees?!
Killer Bees?
Submitted by gyrospanner on
OH NO! They've crossed the 49th parallel!
I hope not - I've always taken some security that a lot of bugs can't survive our freezing winters, except those stupid Pine Beetles - AAARRRGGHH!
*SPROING*
Submitted by habernac on
that awful sound of a spoke breaking in your rear wheel. In my 36 years of cycling, I have amazingly never experienced this before. Luckily, I was literally a house away from where I was going when it happened.
Windy
Submitted by winterrider on
My usually tailwind driven eastward commute into downtown was not so pleasant today. Add in my lead legs and it was an unusually hard ride in today. Looking at wx.ca it seems the morning commute had a much easier go of it.
I hope the wind keeps up for the ride home (without changing directions obviously).
One day
Submitted by fastlayne on
With the exception of the last 5 commutes I have had headwind both directions most of the spring/summer. It's good for conditioning, that's what I tell myself.
#100
Submitted by fastlayne on
Hit the century mark with todays ride.
Wow -- I wish I had my camera
Submitted by DarrenB on
Wow -- I wish I had my camera wit me this morning for that sunrise. The contrast and colour in the western sky this morning was unbelievable, eh?