Great sunny start of the work week... even the bugs are out (I had a small meal of them already). Blech!
What's new, exciting and worthy of discussion and sharing this week?
How was your ride? Week of May 14th
Submitted by RichieRich on
Great sunny start of the work week... even the bugs are out (I had a small meal of them already). Blech!
What's new, exciting and worthy of discussion and sharing this week?
Whatz buggin' me!
Submitted by gyrospanner on
There were a lot of riders out there this morning. Some of them lacking in common sense - I was going down the path "at speed" and a guy jammed his way in front of me making me have to swerve over into the oncoming lane. There was somebody else coming that way - YIKES!
Also, there were a bunch of people that came out of the parking lot at Shouldice at the same time and I don't think any of them looked. I had to weave through the bunch of them - YIKES AGAIN!
I also got a mouthful of little bugs as well, there was a bunch stuck on my face, too.
Snacks?
Submitted by DragonBeanie on
Last week I was getting sand in my mouth because of all the wind (crunch crunch)....this week I'm eating bugs too. Note to self: keep mouth firmly shut when cycling in the spring. Other than that, the ride was beautiful and bordering on hot already!
Peaceful
Submitted by sherryrunswest on
Couldn't have asked for a nicer morning! Got an earlier start at 5:40am. As I approached the pathway beside Shag golf course I spotted a deer on the dirt path beside the fence for the golf course and as I made my way down the hill there was another deer right beside the bench just before the turn heading down to the river. It wasn't spooked at all, just stood there and its head turned and followed me until I passed. Went slowly as there was a train so I had time to spare. The sun was also half risen at this point, big and bright pink/orange, great vantage point on that path. Love my early mornings for these reasons and more!
Coyote spotted
Submitted by seacloud on
As I started my commute across the top of Bowmont, I saw a coyote at the edge of the playfields, looking like it was waiting for the cycling and pedestrian traffice to clear off sufficiently that it could head back down into the valley. Nice start. Headed down Home Rd. and got green lights at Bowness Rd. and the highway! I'm sensing a roll now!
Between Edworthy park and 29 St. I passed a strung out line of roller bladers of varying ability. I called out for each one as I passed. Strange though, don't usually see a group like that at 6:30am?!? Nonetheless, we all stayed out of one another's way and I carried on my way to work. A beautiful and speedy ride in this morning including wildlife and green lights; a great start to the week (oh, and didn't eat any bugs today)!
Things I saw today
Submitted by gyrospanner on
In the morning -
1) the first pair of new goslings (near the Peace Bridge).
2) A lady doing a census on the Peace Bridge.
In the afternoon -
1) A lady doing a census on the Peace Bridge.
2) A few rafters on the river.
OH BOY, JUS' WAIT 'TIL TOMORROW!
Busy downtown this morning
Submitted by shirose on
It was pretty quiet on my commute until i reached downtown. then at East Village on one of those loungers, i see a guy with 3-4 duffel bags around him that look like they have those airport baggage tickets on them, and it looks like he is going through a wallet. A little further on, i see an old man in his pyjamas going down to the river through the bush with his camera. Finally, at the intersection of 3rd Street and 3rd Ave, i almost get run over by 2 cyclists who race through a pedestrian walk only sign as i dismount to walk kitty corner.
Way more traffic on the pathways downtown this morning.
Maximus homeous rodus dinkasaurus
Submitted by RichieRich on
Narrowly dodged a vehicle side-swipe this morning bottom of Home Road and 16th Ave... fella figured he could go around me, swerve 10' to the right across my path, and stop before hitting the car in front... all in the space of about 25'. Didn't see anything wrong with the fact that if I hadn't taken evasive action I'd be down. He was rather p*ssed that I hit his car... cos a car is more important than a life. I asked him to roll down his winduh and advised him (I didn't yell, or cuss) that what he did was both illegal and could have killed someone and that if a cop was by he'd certainly have a ticket... "yeah but you hit my car!"... um... "in self defence and to hold my balance up"... "yeah but you hit my car...". OK BUDDY.
Too many drivers don't understand that "stopping speed" is the same for both bikes and cars. I suppose in this case approaching the intersection I should have held my lane instead of riding 1m from the curb. Lesson learned.
I have learned that if you
Submitted by winterrider on
I have learned that if you give cars even an inch, some of them will take a mile.
As far right as practical means ride in the middle (I'm talking near the yellow line) of the road of there is any chance that a passing car won't have enough room to manouver around you. If you swerve toward the curb at any point, some cars will take this as an indication that they can pass, even if there isn't room.
stupid is as stupid does
Submitted by RichieRich on
My "spidey senses" had been tingling as Mr WhiteCar had travelled immediately behind me in my lane for about 50m... then pulled to the left.. and so I was thinking "ya gotta be kidding?!!... nah, the driver couldn't be that dumb...", by this point I was some 50m from the intersection and going about 30km/hr but coasting as 1) it was a red light and 2) there already was a car in that turning lane. Basically Mr. White Car got immediately next to me (ie passenger door by my legs), and then moved over into me in order to make his turn. I honestly don't think my presence phased him as he was being a bully and using his vehicle as his tool to literally push me out of the way. Another cyclist behind me saw the whole thing as was also shocked at his behavior.
Having been a year-round commuter for over a decade I am usually pretty aware of my contribution to traffic (bike and vehicular) flow behind and around me. I'm pretty good with holding my lane when/where necessary, or yielding a little space. That said, I'll take your advise and be a bit more assertive in that area going forward.
I've had the same happen
Submitted by winterrider on
I ride through that intersection east bound on Bowness Rd, and I always take the curb lane (by riding very far left in it).
I had one car try the same manouver as your's did one day, except at slow speed. He wantet to get in front of me in the curb lane to go around the left turning cars, but there was only 50 feet until the stopped cars ahead of us, and we were both doing about 10 km/h. But no bother, he changed halfway into the center lane (I was riding mid lane that day), pulled up beside me with about 1/3rd of his car in my lane, and then slowly started edging toward the curb. Cue hitting of car and a verbal assault from me toward the car.
I don't know how they think this is acceptable. Anyway, I ride as far to the left as I can now, without leaving room for some dimwit to try sneaking past me on the right, which I've had happen another time, but thats a different story.
GRRR
Submitted by habernac on
this is the type that would be pissed at you if you filtered by them, but they have no issues when they basically push you off the road. When approaching a red light (or stop sign) I will automatically take the middle of the lane and make them line up behind me.
North/South bike lane Downtown?
Submitted by leahmay on
I've been bike commuting from the NW (Beddington) for about a year and can't seem to find a great way to go from the river to 10th ave SW without having to negotiate the cranky car commuters....is there a North/South bike lane downtown?
Getting from the river to my building (I'm right beside the Calgary tower) has become the sketchiest part of my commute :(
11th St SW
Submitted by winterrider on
The only NS bike lane I am aware of is on 11th St SW. If you are commuting to the west end of downtown you could use this road, and then travel east/west on 8th Ave.
If you are coming in on the east end of downtown, have you tried the 4th St SE underpass? It is brand new, and has extra wide sidewalks to accomodate cyclists. Assuming you come down the Nose Creek MUP, you could use the Baines Bridge to connect to Zoo Island, follow the path west to the end of the island where a MUP bridge connects to the south side of the river, then aim for 7th Ave to 4th St SE. Head south here, it is probably quiet. Head south to 10th Ave, then west to your office.
4 St. SE
Submitted by DD on
You are seeking one of the holy grails of yet undeveloped bike infrastructure - a dedicated route running from north of downtown to south of the CPR tracks. Depending on where you are coming from (e.g. Nose Creek pathway?), you may find that 4 St. SE provides a good option. You can access it by crossing the Langevin bridge (Edmonton Trail) and then either cutting across on a pathway and cul-de-sac just east of the Drop In Centre or heading down to the lights at 4 St SE. The traffic is typically light on 4 St SE - a four lane road - and the new underpass (west side) under the CPR line has a bike lane and on the south side of the tracks there is a winding ramp that accesses 10 Ave directly. 4 St. is currently torn up around 7 Ave., but that will hopefully be finished soon.
4th street SE is closed for
Submitted by 2wheeler on
4th street SE is closed for constructino in both directions at the St. Louis Hotel. If you are coming from Nose creek just ride to St. Ptricks Island tehn across the wooden bridge. keep going north until the last East West street before 9th Ave. Take this west to 4th St SE to avoid the construction. The bike path on the bridge is very nice although there is no connecting infrastructure at the moment. If you ride the west side of the bridge there is a ramp form the bikeway up to 10 Ave.
This is my new route through the downtown. It's much nicer than my old 1st St SE route dodging buses etc.
Call your Alderman & 311
Submitted by snowandscience on
I agree, riding through downtown is less than pleasant for most cyclists, especially N-S. There is some information here: http://bikecalgary.org/node/3050 about a downtown survey Bike Calgary conducted that showed cyclists would find lanes on 4th/5th Streets most useful. I believe at last check there are lanes planned for 6th/7th Streets, however these really only service the west side of downtown and leave the east side relatively free of dedicated cycle-infrastructure. IMHO, while the new lanes are a baby-step forward, I won't really use them because of the constant red lights encountered, and because they don't take me to the beltline (where I live). I'll continue to cycle 1st/4th/5th/8th/11th (track crossings) with or without infrastructure - these new lanes don't really help me at all. Call or write your Alderman and call 311 to request bike lanes in the east side of downtown so you can continue to cycle safely to work, and call 311 to let them know you need space to cycle.
B
We did recommend
Submitted by bclark on
Yes, Bike Calgary and other cycling organizations made recommendations for a comprehensive (separated) north-south and east-west Centre City cycle route network (tying into the existing on-street network), which included a central north-south route accross the CPR using 4th and 5th streets (one-way each). Here is a link to the map (http://bikecalgary.org/files/BC%20%26%20CPAC%20CCN%202011-12-19%20Map.jpg) and details (http://bikecalgary.org/node/3152). This may give you some background if you speak to your Alderman. Central connectivity accross the CPR tracks has been called for on many occasions but is yet to be established.
love hate relationship
Submitted by Julie Gregg on
Spring brings on those mixed feelings, I LOVE that there are more riders but I HATE that there are more riders!! So happy to see the seasonal riders back and creating that sense of solidarity, I just wish they hadn't left their MUP etiquette and manners back in winter storage.
Agreed
Submitted by sherryrunswest on
This is more evident on my commute home (especially on nice sunny days), I shake my head every day at people's lack of respect, they are making the MUP really unsafe for all. It is mainly those cyclists passing unsafely with others in the oncoming lane that really gets to me. They squeeze through by riding along the center line between the peds or other cyclists - I might add at full speed - no attempt to slow down that I can see.
My other peeve is when they can clearly see someone slower (ped or cyclist) in front of me (I've slowed down at this point), I am waiting for the oncoming lane to be clear so I can pull out and pass. Many times already this year I've shoulder checked when it was safe to pass finally and a cyclist was right beside me passing at full speed, no hint of a bell, nothing. They can see that there were others in the oncoming lane and you'd hope they'd read into the situation and realize that I am waiting to pass too (usually I shoulder check a few times while waiting to pass providing some sort of clue, I never just pull out unexpectedly and at the last minute). When they do this they are uncomfortably close to me because they are trying to squeeze through on the center line.
OK, I'm done. I feel better now.
One more peeve
Submitted by gyrospanner on
Peds, or more often, joggers that have the idea of some kind of Eminent Entitlement that it is OK to go three abreast and take up half the lane I'm in.
'Nuff Said!
x2
Submitted by RichieRich on
or like this morning... 2 separate joggers running counterflow on the MUP (ie wrong lane, wrong direction)... wondering why they're getting "buzzed" and dirty looks. Last summer I actually stopped one time and had a quick polite word with one young lady who actually thanked me after I explained about the dangers of counterflow usage. to put it into perspective: what happens when someone drives the wrong way on the Deerfoot? carnage.
excellent point
Submitted by Dionysis on
If people drove with the same care that they (or, most people anyway) do when driving, there would not be as many problems! On a residential road, would you drive down the middle to pass a slower moving car while another car is coming at you in the other lane?
"RCR" - Respect, Common sense, and Relax 8-)
West LRT Response
Submitted by sherryrunswest on
Got a reply back just now from West LRT - the contractor has indicated that the north side pathway at the Bow Trail Ped Bridge is not likely to get paved until this summer (June-July timeframe).
Was hoping it'd be sooner.
Thanks for looking into that!
Submitted by DragonBeanie on
Thanks for looking into that! That's too bad: I was hoping it would be sooner too, because the website indicated spring 2012.
Bow Wave Redux
Submitted by gyrospanner on
Had to stop at Foothills Hospital after work and as I came around the NW side by Macaig Tower I got the super-blasto Bow Wave off the building. It knocked me about 8 inches sideways - YIKES!
Then I fought the gusty chinook all the way home.
God only knows what tomorrow will bring!
HAH!
Couple rain drops
Submitted by fastlayne on
Little bit of rain, colder then the last couple days but I didn't get stuck in any traffic, riding FTW.
Beat the snow
Submitted by winterrider on
I had to take my 4yo to school by bike today. Luckily it wasn't raining as we headed off, and the first snow flakes started falling as I walked out of her school to ride home.
Gotta love Calgary in May!
Tonight, my first ride home with my wife
Submitted by Cword on
I've being riding a bike to work off and on since 1982, my wife has only just started, I can still count the days she has biked to work on one hand. I expected today to be an "If it rains take the bus" day, but she surprised me with an "I rode to work" text this morning.
She's working in a home in Parkdale, so after work today I'm looking forward to riding down from the University to meet up with her for a joint ride home.
Joint ride home?
Submitted by 2wheeler on
Is that like a tweed ride for Rastafarians?
8th ave sw
Submitted by Julie Gregg on
anyone else ride in on 8th ave? Wow, can you say gridlock!! I was happy to sail past everyone on my bike - yeah for biking, even if it is snow in May.
A maze
Submitted by NWnewbie on
It was crazy when I came down the avenue this morning. Cars everywhere (some attempting driving side by side in the single lane) and all in a foul mood. Fortuntately, the fellow ahead of me navigated the maze really well, so I just followed his lead!
Big push into work
Submitted by seacloud on
I had a nice tailwind for a quick spin down a nearly empty MUP this morning. Was a bit chilly but not too bad. The ride home will be a little slower, but warmer. I hope everyone has a great Victoria Day weekend. If the weather allows (and doesn't it always?!?!) get out there and put a few more pleasant miles on the bike!
Drafting
Submitted by DragonBeanie on
I had to share this story after all the talk last week about being drafted by roadies.
On the way home from work yesterday, I found myself being drafted by a guy on a road bike (not a roadie, just someone commuting with a road bike). I was riding my mountain bike and loaded with a pannier, so I was a bit annoyed because his bike was clearly faster than mine.
But when we stopped at a red light, he pulled up beside me and thanked me for cutting through the wind for him and said it was very nice. I teased him about drafting me when I had a clunky mountain bike so we had a chuckle about that. Then he offered to lead for the next few blocks, until our paths diverged. So even though I had an uninvited drafter, he was nice about it, so all was forgiven!