Looks like this could shape up to be one of the best weeks to ride of 2012 so far! Sunshine and warm weather in the forecast, and already the City has been out sweeping the gravel off the streets.
I dropped my daughter off at school at 9:00 and then took the road bike for a 'scenic commute' to work this morning. Glorious! How was your ride?
Fast
Submitted by winterrider on
As I always do when on my bike, I saw another cyclist about a block ahead of me and tried to catch him. It took me a while and a lot of hard pedalling as he was moving well.
When I finally caught him I suggested working together on the way downtown and the two of us made some pretty good time.
It was a great morning to be on a bike.
Warning: distractions & Speed
Submitted by RichieRich on
What a great time of year... with the warmth the spring bike-bunnies and other pleasant distractions come out! :)
Saw lots of road bikes whipping down the MUP this morning... I was purposely riding pretty slow/relaxed today and was quite surprised at the lack of bells being used by these folks as they went by other riders, joggers, MUP users. Doesn't take much to add speed + distraction = potential for injury to self and others.
Freeridin'
Submitted by bclark on
That's why I was on my freeride bike today! Definitely can't go too fast on it.
MUP traffic...
Submitted by bike-run on
I noticed that too - I run-commuted this morning and got passed several times - bike speeding at 30+kph - between me and the yellow line - with no bell warning.
One time I was passing a couple walking with a baby in a chariot, and while I was left of the center line, a bike blew past me on my left! Not much room for error.
Overdressed!
Submitted by snowandscience on
From my balcony I thought I was dressed properly, not too many layers, felt a nice crisp chill. By the time I hit the river pathway I was sweating buckets and when I arrived at the University I was drenched - and it was a full 10 degrees warmer than when I left 30 minutes ago (at least it felt that way). Going to be a great week!
~B
Geese!
Submitted by DragonBeanie on
The geese must be starting to nest....first time this season a goose by the pathway hissed at me even though I was a few feet away!
Determined!
Submitted by iLuvGR33N on
Every once in awhile I find someone super geared (as I like to call them) someone who's been on the bike for over 20 years, & I am pleased that I can keep up to their speed or more. Just slightly faster, but I got tired too. I haven't been on the bike for myself for 2 weeks. Just no energy, too much work.
Anyhow does anyone know a good solid safe path from Calgary to Cochrane that doesn't take AGES like the canal to Chestermere? & by ages I mean it takes me anywhere from 4-5.5 hours. **** I only ask here, because people don't always seem to notice other posts in other sections**** It looks as if though there is one through BearsPaw Dam? Although it looks like a railroad...
I am not used to being on the Highway, but I could always do Bow Valley Trail...
Township RD 262
Submitted by SpeedyJ on
When I lived in Tuscany my normal route was to head out 12 Mile Coulee Rd, jog through Bear's Paw then ride Township RD 262 west to Cochrane.
It runs roughly parallel to the 1A is straight with minimal traffic, I don't think that I ever had a bad experience on the road, which is saying quite a bit. I found it to be more relaxed then Burma Rd (Township Rd 260).
Calgary-Cochrane
Submitted by RichieRich on
CCW... unfortunately there is no official route, other than main roads, between Calgary and Cochrane. The main road options are pretty much: 1) Crowfoot area head west on 1A, or 2) Hwy 1 west to 22 then north. There are a few variations which include some paved back roads (ie Retreat road, Airport road, Springbank, etc...), but you will end up on some highway. There are some really scenic and quiet back roads out there if you're willing to do some route-finding.
Yes there is an unofficial off-road "route", I understand, from somewhere around BearsPaw Dam area heading west along the Bow River. Closer to Calgary it does go through private land however, but from midway towards Cochrane I believe there is a more established path. No idea what condition it is in.
No bike path
Submitted by winterrider on
The "unofficial" off road path by the Bow out to Cochrane is officially closed. There are plans to connect the paths in the future, but for now the only option is a road ride. As SpeedyJ and RichieRich mentioned, the two main route options are the 1A, which has a wide safe shoulder, but you will be passed by high speed traffic the whole way, or 262.
I have ridden both and 262 is much more peaceful. You are on back country roads with no shoulder, but traffic is very light, and they are always courteous giving lots of room when they pass. There are a few different options to get out to 262, some of them are busier but more straightforward, others are lovely quiet rides but require a fair bit of twists and turns. Here is one example:
http://maps.google.ca/maps/ms?msid=208003210926935457440.0004bde1db760c3...
The only busy section is about 1 km on Burma road, and Range Road 30 is mildy busy. From the end of that map, you could take Glen Eagles Dr down into Cochrane (going downhill on the 1A is very busy).
Lots and Lots and Lots and Lots of cyclists
Submitted by bclark on
I counted seven cyclists waiting at the light on 7th Street at 4th Avenue SW this morning. That was before the second group of four passed me while I was waiting at 5th Ave to make my left turn. It was quite the group.
This morning our 100 bike
Submitted by Julie Gregg on
This morning our 100 bike capacity cage looked to be at about 75% full!
Introduced a friend to bicyle commuting today
Submitted by fastlayne on
One more car off the road.
flat tire...
Submitted by habernac on
Is that mobile fix it guy on the bike paths near 10th street still? I have a tube, but my tools and pump are in my garage.
Joe's Garage
Submitted by Smokey Crow on
Yes, I have seen Joe's Garage out this year so you should be good to go. Looks like he is open until 6.
thank you!!
Submitted by habernac on
I appreciate it!
He worked later last night
Submitted by gyrospanner on
I think I went by at about 7.
Otherwise, you'll have to use your teeth :)
Bow Trail/26 St. SW crossing
Submitted by DragonBeanie on
Took the road bike so opted to cross Bow Trail at 26 St. instead of taking the gravelly pedestrian bridge. There's one thing about this intersecton that has been annoying me for awhile, so I thought I'd throw it out here: when travelling north on 26 St., the traffic light seems to skip my turn if there aren't any cars waiting with me to cross Bow Trail. So either I can haul my bike on the sidewalk and cross as a pedestrian at the west crosswalk, or wait for some cars to trigger the green light and cross as a vehicle. Is there a sensor in the road I'm not positioned on properly? Or can only cars trigger this sensor? Since 26 St. is a designated bikeway, I'm hoping there's a more efficient way to cross at this intersection!
I've had the same problem
Submitted by themacneils on
I've had the same problem - for me, coming down the hill on 17 Ave to the lights at Costello Blvd. There is a turning lane there and I take the new MUP on the N side of the bridge over Sarcee so I would like to turn left but same thing, I can't trigger the turning light. For now, unless someone else knows the Caramilk secret, I've been crossing 17th on Costello as a vehicle.
In my mind it must be weight related or something.
Speaking of the new ped bridge over Bow Trail, does anyone know when they might be laying the tarmac on the N approach to the bridge?
Emailed LRT
Submitted by sherryrunswest on
I sent an email yesterday to the West LRT contact I've communicated with this past winter to find out the timing. I'll post his reply as soon as I hear back.
The sensors if I recall
Submitted by Chealion on
The sensors if I recall correctly are usually based on the presence of a large amount of metal above it - motorcycles can have issues triggering them as well.
If there are no cars I
Submitted by amf673 on
If there are no cars I usually skip over and push the pedestriian button. It is too long a signal to wait through two.
This intersection has the camera type sensors. You can see them pointing at you on the poles on the other side of the intersection. Usually those things pick up bikes quite well, but that one does not seem to.I dunno why.
Maybe if you jump up and down and run around in circles the camera will detect you.
The induction loop type almost never pick up a bicycle (17 th Ave and 26 STSW). If there are no cars I go push the pedestrian light there too as the light will never change otherwise.
Fun biking
Submitted by DarrenB on
I had such a blast biking to and from work yesterday. With the weather so nice I brought out the road bike, which feels so light and zippy and fast compared to my sluggish commuter bike. Wow that was fun. The City even has nearly every street swept clean along my route -- glad to see they have been taking advantage of the early spring to get a jump on street maintenance.
Had to shake my head this morning, however. As I was riding down Varsity Dr NW toward the university I heard someone honking quite a bit behind me (about 100 m). I looked back and saw a car barreling up the road, and then the guy honks at me again (still from a distance) as if to say "I'm coming -- look out!". The frustrating part is that (1) I am already riding down the center of the empty parking lane on the right, and (2) I am the middle of a 30 km/h school zone (with kids playing in the schoolyard right along the roadway) cruising at about 35 km/h. When he did finally catch up to me, he purposefully swerved into the parking lane (presumably to 'teach me a lesson' for being on HIS road), then accelerated even faster past me doing at least 60 km/h, right through the school zone including a signed crosswalk where people are trying to cross the road to get to the school. I tried hard to catch him to get his plate number, but he was going way too fast. Loser. [Sorry for the rant -- had to get that off my chest as I have been fuming ever since.] I try to have a thick skin, but this sort of thing really gets me. RRRRgggggggggggg!
Helmet cam
Submitted by winterrider on
This is why I wear a helmet cam now. It will sometimes get the plate number (or at least parts of it), and it definitely gets a car description and video record of the incident.
I hear you
Submitted by DarrenB on
I bought one for the same reason. Like a dumb-ass, I never wore it this morning, though.
Don't have mine on either
Submitted by winterrider on
I'll confess that I took mine off for a race and haven't pulled it out of the drawer again. I'll use your post as motivation to do so.
Do you guys ever wear these
Submitted by ryker on
Do you guys ever wear these cams on commuter duty? Never seen someone with a cam in town. If I had one on today it would have captured a city bus passing me taking half the 10th St NW hill bike lane. No traffic otherwise. Caught up to the bus at the 16th Ave NW intersection, where the driver sat idle through the advance bus signal. Usually buses are pretty good so no hate.
Yes
Submitted by DarrenB on
I used to wear mine faithfully, but I don't seem to encounter many idiot drivers anymore, so I have been getting lax about putting it on (wish I had it this morning, though).
I think having video evidence of any sort of accident or conflict could be very valuable in a police report/investigation. Based on what we have heard here on the forums and seen in the media, cyclists rarely get the benefit of the doubt. I also know that the Calgary Police Service has sometimes not been that willing to hear complaints about motorist issues when it is just a he-said she-said situation, but video evidence adds a whole new dimension to it. I think I'll start wearing mine more frequently again.
In case you missed it
Submitted by DarrenB on
In case you missed it, this is the type of situation where you will appreciate wearing a video camera on your ride home:
http://bikecalgary.org/comment/26602#comment-26602
Daily
Submitted by winterrider on
I wore it from Christmas when I bought it, until mid April when I took it off. I should have it back on, but what I think I may need to do is just buy a second helmet so I don't have to remember to put it back on.
spring blooms
Submitted by Julie Gregg on
enjoying seeing the buffalo beans coming into bloom along the Bow River pathway, this morning the number of blooms seemed to be double what they were yesterday morning, that warm day really helped them along.
Get off!
Submitted by RichieRich on
Dang seasonal MUP roadies!! Had 6 of the pesky buggers drafting me in this morning heading into the core... for a good 5km. BTW... I am riding a MTB w/ 2.2" knobbies. they're lucky I didn't "snot-shot" them (my nose runs like a faucet most times I ride). I don't consider it "cool" to draft anyone on the MUPs for that length of time unless there is some implied agreement and or communication.
Drop them or snot them?
Submitted by winterrider on
Both good choices if they're drafting without asking. And if I can't drop someone, I'll just sit up.
Drafting on the MUP?
Submitted by Cword on
Slow to the 20 km speed limit and that won't happen ;)
Nice one. If you look at the
Submitted by winterrider on
Nice one. If you look at the second post in this thread, RichieRich is talking about roadies going too fast, and now that they won't pass him.
Although I empathize with him on both accounts, the juxtaposition of these two complaints has put a slight smile on my face.
Guilty until proven more guilty?
Submitted by RichieRich on
Yes earlier this week, and several times since, I've seen some roadies going too fast for the conditions at that time and place. Doesn't necessarily make me a hypocrit.
Theoretically this morning I might have been exceeding 20km/hr... as was most everyone else with that tail wind... but that's not what this is about. I like to run w/ my Garmin GPS so I do know exactly how fast I was going, but I was also keeping my heart-rate down to help w/ overall recovery and so I wouldn't get all sweaty before work. Often times it does, however, give me great satisfaction to burn off roadies who can't stay in my draft!! :)
But really dudes... roadies drafting off a dude running 2.2" mountain bike knobbies? Have you no pride?
daily commute
Submitted by Wyldkat on
Nice weather for the ride today, since I usually start before 7am the bike room at work usually has lots of empty space. On the plus side this weekend they are adding more lockers to the change room so that will encourage more people to ride in, on the minus side they are not adding any more bike hangers so if you dont go in early you wont have a place to hang your bike.
Lunch time ride over to Canadian Blood Services to drop off a pint was nice, fairly light traffic, but ofcourse I forgot my lock at home so a stop in to the Bike Shop was required to purchase a new one (have 4 now)
The commute home was pretty good, down 10th Ave, only got cut off by a minivan. Was nice to see the Bike Police out riding along 10th as well, would have been great if they weren't riding 3 across along the sidewalk behind GCS.
Enjoy your weekend :)