How was your ride today - Week of October 4th.

Submitted by BCDon on

No one else started this so I figured I would.

Nice ride in this morning, noticed the dampness in the air and made sure I steered clear of wet slippery leaves. Legs weren't quite up to it after the weekend off.

Bought new stuff for cold weather and ended up too warm at the start so dumped a vest in my pannier. Much better.

Went to the MEC boots and they helped. Feet weren't real warm but comfortable so hopefully that's solved. We'll see as the temps drop.

Forums: 

New bike for the weather

Submitted by Scott on

Put together a winter tank for the season and retired my nice one until next year. Slow as dirt with the nobby's on it and old gears but works and thats what matters. Layered up with thin summer riding jacket, fleece over top and riding jacket over top of that and was perfect. I have now figured out the layers to wear for around this temp. As it gets colder, will have to experiement more. Wearing the head/ear gear now under my helmet. Soon will be the neoprene facemask I bet. Will need to re-assess the footwear... toes getting pretty cold. Fingers doing awesome but they always have with the gloves I have. All around... a good ride. Wish it would have snowed a wee bit but whats the rush. I'll be complaining enough once it's here I am sure.

http://mybohemia.wordpress.com/ My Bohemia Blog

Today, I received my penance

Submitted by gyrospanner on

I complained just 2 weeks ago about the afternoons being too hot (remember - they were about +30C ???). Wow, things can change fast.

I was in Dallas most of last week (more +30 and higher)and came back last night.

For my ride in, I wore fleece pants with a hoody and shell, which was just about right, except I probably should have worn long underwear, as my nether-regions were a little bit cold.

I think I'll ride through the trails in the parks on the way home to get the "full fall effect."

Cheers Y'all

OH BTW THANKS!

Submitted by gyrospanner on

Thanks to whoever swept all the gravel off the pathway leading into the parking lot at the east end of bowmont park in the last week.

It's nice to be able to bomb that down-up transition going to & from work.

Not bad this morning. Quiet.

Submitted by majchers on

Not bad this morning. Quiet. Nice ride. But came to work somehow tired a bit. Sleepy after. What t'heck? BTW - I guess I need new rubbers. The orange liner (on my Contis) starts poking thru here and there. Geee... they turnedt into the slicks! ;-)))

awesome morning

Submitted by Julie Gregg on

I had pshyched myself to be ready for a cold and unpleasnat ride this morning, boy was I wrong, it was lovely if you were dressed right, calm and no wind with a fresh coolness and nice amount of humidity. Dark when I was riding but still had that sense of fall and all the leaves etc that go along with it.

Pshyched too!

Submitted by Jaykay65 on

I peered outside afraid of what I may see. Although I could not see much at 5:45AM, the trampoline appeared covered in frost.

Flip on the tube and alas +1.

Slip on the shorts, SS shirt, jacket and out the door.

Quite pleasant really.

My pathway had those little shiny frosty "diamonds" twinkling all the way in to the office.

Spooky hallows-eve-type cloud / fog hanging low above the airport terminal building that the northbound planes quickly ascended into and with all the lights it gave off a yellowish-sulfer-coloured glow.

Dark, but not as cold as I

Submitted by pinkrobe on

Dark, but not as cold as I thought it would be. The 4th Street Sinkhole still isn't repaired, and two lanes on 4th were blocked off, forcing everyone into two lanes instead of 4. Boooo! Other than that, the ride was fine. I'm stopping at MEC on the way home to examine the pogies and get some new lobster mitts.

26th Ave Bikelane

Submitted by amf673 on

The westbound bike-lane on 26th ave has a 'Detour' sign plunked down in the middle of it.
I thought of knocking it over or moving it into the 'car lane' (as that is who it is for).
Then I remembered the Dalai Lama's talk and tried to have compassion for the dimwit who put it there.

I'd move it

Submitted by pinkrobe on

I'd move it - it's a safety hazard to cyclists. Also, by placing the sign in the proper position, you are teaching the city a valuable lesson. Protecting others from harm and giving wisdom to the unknowing - I'm pretty sure the DL would be hip to that.

sunshine

Submitted by ride on

It was so great to see that mid-day sunshine after several days of overcast, during which I've been fighting a nasty flu, that I called an impromptu meeting with BikeCalgary director Sean Carter and rode down from Bridgeland to the Ship & Anchor to discuss bike advocacy issues and ideas for next year. Is it just me that's mellowed out after a week in bed? Or is it the mid-day traffic? Either way, zero issues on the road and it was even great to ride through the edge of downtown and northbound across the 5th Ave flyover over the Bow River.

I will agree the cars were

Submitted by scottmeyers on

I will agree the cars were great today, but the salmon... If I were a grizzly bear I would be a fatty. Inside of a block on 11th street I was pushed out of the north bound bike lane twice by two of the upstreamers... I Said screw it and took a lane where the cars are more predictable ;)

And the sun was awesome. I overdressed for the occasion

The bicycle is the most civilized conveyance known to man. Other forms of transport grow daily more nightmarish. Only the bicycle remains pure in heart. ~Iris Murdoch, The Red and the Green

How to dress and what to take.

Submitted by BCDon on

Looking at the forecast tomorrow I'm just not sure what I'll be wearing in and I guess more importantly what I'll ride home in. Looks like a shorts, regular shoes and a light jersey for the way home. BUT, need a bit warmer than that in the morning. Long sleeve winter Jersey, Jacket, tights, booties?

The west wind was a bit of a

Submitted by scottmeyers on

The west wind was a bit of a monster though.

The bicycle is the most civilized conveyance known to man. Other forms of transport grow daily more nightmarish. Only the bicycle remains pure in heart. ~Iris Murdoch, The Red and the Green

+10 - WHERE?

Submitted by BCDon on

I checked the TV Weather this morning, said +10C. I stepped outside - NOT in the SW. I checked my thermometer and it still read below zero. So, I geared up accordingly. Part ways through the ride I could feel that it was warming up but I never got real warm, suspect the west wind took care of that.
Then, when I got into the office I noticed that my stuff was wetter than usual.

All in all a nicer commute in (warmer) although took longer with the wind.

Loved it!

Submitted by Julie Gregg on

Rode in at 6:45, still dark and that gorgeous brilliant full moon lit my way, making some spooky shadows on the pathway, especially in the dark areas!! Wearing running shorts and a light jacket, very fresh..........fully awake when I got here! I see bright sunshine now, supposed to be 14 when I'm heading home, will feel good.

Chasing

Submitted by pinkrobe on

My wife decided to lead out this morning, so I jumped on her wheel. Between the draft and the tailwind, I barely had to pedal. I'm going to be really sweaty on the way home - I'll have to ditch the jacket.

Exhilarating!

Submitted by shockingTemple on

The warm wind led to a wild ride down 64th Ave NE this morning: spinning all 21 gears at a nice 90rpm. That's right, I AM traffic!

I arrived at work at the peak Fedex Impact Probability time. Not a comment on Fedex drivers, just an observation that 80% of the traffic on the road were Fedex vehicles, starting their runs for the day no doubt.

Fed-ex / Purolator Convoy

Submitted by Jaykay65 on

That is such a cool line up; all those trucks lined up over the 64th Avenue overpass at about 8:00AM in the left turning lane to head south. It's hilarious to see several of one company's vehicles and then see one of the others followed by several more of the leading vehicles. How did that one truck get in the middle of all those others?

I have only seen it a few times on days off or when required to head to a meeting, but it strikes me every time.

We just need UPS to move over to that area now and that would be crazy. Maybe the guys from Postal Outlet could re-direct their routes out that way as well, and all heck would break-out over there!! :-)

Seriously though, as was pointed out in posts last month that road is in need of major improvements for cyclists and pedestrians. I cycled to the mall this past Sunday, very early (10ish) before it was properly opened, and the traffic around there is stupid. Drivers are so intent on getting to the mall or that area and other users, peds, cyclists are just an obstruction preventing them from getting to their destination.
This is a Sunday, I would hate to imagine your ride in during the week?

That crosswalk is going to get somebody killed and the narrow sidewalk… And to think that only a couple of years ago the city / province spent how much upgrading that overpass? I guess it handles the courier traffic well though!!

agreed...

Submitted by NW_Tri_and_Bike on

I ride on the road there and try to use my speed to create some saftey and try to bring up the pace to make the lane change a little easier for me as I turn left by the safeway building. If I can't get over I just turn left at the deadend by the CPS building and take the slightly longer route.

The courier trucks can make it kind of scary by the GD building as I have to yield to them. I'm not as worried about them hitting me as I am about being struck from behind in the dark.

jostling with the wind

Submitted by ride on

Often the air is quiet when I ride, but today it was a live thing, playfully jostling me as I rode, nudging me and then letting off, then hitting me hard again when I wasn't expecting it. Come again, wind, I'll play with you any time. Just take it easy on me when I've got disc covers on my front wheel!

aaarrgghhh

Submitted by Julie Gregg on

I just saw that westerly at 40 plus km/h....my little running shorts will really be flapping in the breeze. Oh well, head down and butt up.

Wind kicking up.

Submitted by BCDon on

I'm heading home in an hour and a half, cycling shorts and a light top. Maybe a light vest, not sure on that one yet.

Glad I purchased one of those MEC single Panniers, it'll hold all the stuff I used this morning which will "hopefully" be dry when I go home, all ready for tomorrow. :(.

that westerly...

Submitted by NW_Tri_and_Bike on

became a north wind at my halfway point... the temp dipped from 17 to 10 in less than an hour and is sitting at 9... good thing I had an extra tech t-shirt that I wore under my jersey...

Kudos

Submitted by Julie Gregg on

to those of you who had the long ride either west or north. I was lucky enough to be home by 4:30 when it was still 17 and altho' the wind was brutal, it was a short ride for me. The cross ways gusts almost took me out a couple times. I was thinkin' about some of you knowing you were still out there and fighting it...good on ya'.

ride 'n' bike

Submitted by ride on

If I lived anywhere in the west or north, this afternoon I would have been seeking out the nearest stop of the No. 1 bus route and strapping my bike on the front rack, then riding the four wheels of luxury as far I need to turn my ride into a cross-wind or down-wind dash for home. That's a perfect use for those buses, I think.

A transit rant...

Submitted by scottmeyers on

I just about had my bike on the front of the 301, not by choice though... The A$$ passed a little close for my likings... I swear calgary transit are some of the least considerate vehicles on the road. There is the odd driver that gets it but they seem few and far between. In fact between the drivers and the routes/travel time this is one of the reason my brother switched to bike commuting. I doubt he will ever go back.

The bicycle is the most civilized conveyance known to man. Other forms of transport grow daily more nightmarish. Only the bicycle remains pure in heart. ~Iris Murdoch, The Red and the Green

Well I loved the wind

Submitted by BCDon on

Commuting in from the South I often face a North and or NW wind. And my commute while being mostly North does have a Westerly section along the Bow River a kilometer or so.

I left work (just by the University) at 5:15. I thought I was in trouble as there were a few rain drops but they held off and of course by then the Wind had shifted to NW = perfect for me.

To make it better, I came down University Ave. and there had been some kind of major holdup. At about two thirds of the way down there were 2 full lanes of traffic. I split down the center at about 30+ KPH, singing to myself. Continued down Crowchild to the first set of lights, passing vehicles all the way - I LOVED IT.

Then 3 blocks West and over to the bike path on Bow via the pedestrian crosswalk and again, about 30KPH on the pathway. Later, heading home South along 20th Street, speed again up around 30KPH (normally around 24 to 26 along that area). Standing up at 30KPH to get over a small rise - felt really good. Made me feel like the way I could cycle 20 years ago (I`m 59 now :)).

Got home about 10 minutes earlier than normal on my `Just under` 20K trip.

HAH!

Submitted by Julie Gregg on

I was thinking about you last night as I battled my way home...I thot "BCDon is gonna be one happy guy in this wind"

and that's the truth!

I was Lucky

Submitted by gyrospanner on

After battling that brutal wind all the way home, my wife had made me a really hearty supper - Minestrone Soup, Great Big Meatball Sandwich w/cheese & a good salad. All that & a coupla' beers gone in less than 5 minutes!

HAH!

Not bad today

Submitted by pinkrobe on

I gotta say, it was really dark this morning. I'm going to have to switch to the bright light for next week, and perhaps stop wearing the orange lenses in favour of clear.

The ride in was brisk, but not biting. I've adjusted to the traffic volume and it's not an issue. It was nice having so few vehicles around over the summer...

The new MEC mitts aren't cutting it. They simply aren't as wind-resistant as they need to be.

MEC Mitts

Submitted by BCDon on

Not sure which ones you have or which ones I have and my hands generally run hot anyway but, on their rack of cycling gloves, as you are facing the clothing wall, on the left hand side I found the following:

1) A pair of light gloves which are great for mornings down to about -4 or so. These appear to be more cycling specific.

2) A pair of winter gloves, they say "water resistant" and they are very warm. I rode in last week in -3 or so and I had sweat inside. Note that there are 2 versions of this glove, the one I got and a second version which are "water proof" and have a goretex insert (you can tell when you go to take them off) but the goretex ones seem a bit tight for me. And, they are directly in front of you on the "glove rack" as you face the wall.

I haven't tried mitts as my hands, fortunately, don't get that cold. My feet on the other hand :).

My feet and hands get very

Submitted by pinkrobe on

My feet and hands get very cold at anything lower than +3C or so, hence the mitts. Gloves just don't seem to work for me. Until there's snow on the ground, I ride a road bike in to work and so I like the MEC Nanu lobster mitts. They allow me to easily operate the brake levers from the hoods, my preferred position. For full-winter use, I'll be using a regular mtn bike bar, which means I can wear mittens comfortably and still reach the brakes. If I get some decent pogies, I will definitely experiment with lighter gloves or mitts.

Speaking of things flying

Submitted by scottmeyers on

Speaking of things flying away, as I climbed up the path to my place last night I noticed a Trampouline in the adjacent park mangled and upside down... not to sure where the children landed though.

The bicycle is the most civilized conveyance known to man. Other forms of transport grow daily more nightmarish. Only the bicycle remains pure in heart. ~Iris Murdoch, The Red and the Green

good news

Submitted by PedalFaster on

Hopefully the pilot will be successful, we could use it in many neighbourhoods.

There is a lot of double talk about the speed limit tolerance, cost to replace all the signs, cost of enforcement etc. but I believe it is still worth it.

Still, if people are worried about the cost of sign replacement, why not just change the local city bylaw that designates all unsigned streets/roads as 50kph unless otherwise posted. The majority of neighbourhoods and side streets do not have any signs, it is just common knowledge (learned when you get your license) that it's 50 unless you see a sign otherwise.

Make the default speed limit 40kph for example. Then the police 'tolerance' would be around 50kph instead of 60, this is a big difference imo. Likely some roads would be judged to safe to remain 50 kph as well therefor even a smaller number of signs would have to be changed, ie. only those signed roads that would drop to 40kph.

a good omen

Submitted by umgray on

I rarely ride late at night but with my new light I rode home after a function tonight. WOW, it was frosty and a chill was in the air with the stars popping out! A great tune playing (rush fly by night) I met a beautiful white owl perched on the bikepath ped bridge going over glenmore at 14th interchange. We looked at each other for a moment contemplating what to do and then he was off. It's amazing the gifts that you are given every day but sometimes are too busy to realize them.

Good ride

Submitted by pinkrobe on

I didn't get hit by a cop car, so I have nothing to complain about today.

I switched back to my old MEC lobster mitts today, and despite the holes and filth, they were substantially warmer than my new MEC lobster mitts, which will be returned shortly.

cold fingers

Submitted by Scott on

Well, as usual... the toes and fingers always get cold. Will work on the boot choices but gloves... even though I am wearing great winter gloves, still not cutting it. I think I will try my hand at making pogies and see what happens there. I'm pretty handy with a needle and thread. Just not looking fwd to the amount of time it takes. I have an idea using milk cartons as a framework.

Has anyone ever seen or used a windscreen? Like a little wind deflector like Buell has on their bikes but wide enough to cover the hands? Just an idea I think I might play with.

http://mybohemia.wordpress.com/ My Bohemia Blog

Protect hands or body?

Submitted by BCDon on

Do you want the "fly screen" to protect your hands or body. For motorcycling, you can get plastic pieces which protect your hands. If you are riding mountain bike style, you could fashion your own out of 2 liter pop bottles cut in half length wise and shaped. With a hose clamp you could clamp them to your bars and angle them out so that when your hands were on the grips or covering the brakes you'd be protected. If what I'm describing isn't making any sense, visit an offroad Motorcycle shop or just look on line for some pics.

If you are riding with a regular road handlebar this wouldn't work and the pogie style system would work better I think.

I'd suggest that there are 2 factors to worry about:

1) Keep the wind off your hands. Need some kind of cover.
2) Insulate against the cold. Need good insulation with mitts or gloves.

cold, dark and fun

Submitted by seanyyc on

Rode in a nice hail/snow squall last night on the way home last night. Amusing, if a bit cold. Should find something warmer than shorts for the bottom half soon. My ragg wool gloves are keeping the hands warm, as they always have, but I ordered a pair that have a gore-tex liner for when things get a little more snowy.

Setting in the studs on the tires I picked up and mounted on the Kuwahara winter beast, so I'm rolling round making a hell of a racket after dark with those beasties. The neighbourhood kids get a kick out of it. For some reason I can't wait to try it out on the ice rink (bike hockey?) but will probably be a few months before that. Still need to work on the brakes, never could quite get cantilever brakes adjusted well, think I might just replace them with something more friendly.

maybe it was you

Submitted by Julie Gregg on

Yesterday morning wore ankle length tights, then went to the gym after work. Was in my shorts when I looked out the window at Eau Claire and saw a guy on a bike in shorts, so I thot' must be OK...rode home in my running shorts. Truthfully it wasn't that bad, glad I didn't have any further to go tho. I did have on my ski mitts, just can't handle anything below +4 on my hands, legs are tougher I guess. It's a bit of a conundrum. I really prefer bare legs for freedom of movement but I also really notice the lack of strength in my legs when they get numb with cold. I know in the colder weather the trip will take a bit longer.

HAIL & SNOW SQUALL

Submitted by gyrospanner on

I rode through that, also. Fun!

I was riding on the South Sora pond trail in Edworthy park and it was quite surreal. I slid on a corner I took too fast and ended up in the armpit high grass & bush and got completely soaked.

I kept going north and then when I went by the old ranch house, the sun actually shone for about 2 minutes and then WHAM! a full scale blizzard alll the way through the Brickburn area.

I was in Confed park when

Submitted by scottmeyers on

I was in Confed park when that beauty hit... I think my beard looked like one of those Alaska men by the time it was done.

The bicycle is the most civilized conveyance known to man. Other forms of transport grow daily more nightmarish. Only the bicycle remains pure in heart. ~Iris Murdoch, The Red and the Green

OMG - winter riding !

Submitted by umgray on

Wow, that was interesting. bridge decks and sunless corners on the pathways are a lot more icy than I thought and that's now imagine tomorrow morning! I might skip the ride tomorrow even with studs I am not sure what it could be like. Had to walk a couple of places as it was downhill mayhem! Hope everyone gets home safe and we'll have to see what the morning brings. Maybe elbow drive might work as they will all be in traffic and they might use salt?

Good luck.

Traffic downtown was nuts,

Submitted by pinkrobe on

Traffic downtown was nuts, so I opted for the pathway. It was great! Nobody on it but me and 1 rider every 200m. The bad news was the wind out of the north damn near peeled the skin off the right side of my face.

Note to self: high wind + cold temps = balaclava.

you and me

Submitted by Julie Gregg on

we must have been on the same course, maybe I was one that you passed.......yeah, the right side of my face is missing too! Much better this morning, felt toasty compared to yesterday's home stretch.

Porcupines have no worries

Submitted by Cword on

At least the one I rode beside last night didn't.
Coming home from SAIT at 9:00pm while climbing up the trail on the west end of Shaganappi I got to ride along with the little fellow as he made his way up the hill. After a short chat, rather one sided, I dropped him. He was in no hurry at all.

Mike

Dark AND Cold

Submitted by pinkrobe on

I'm happy to have lights and tights. That north wind was not pleasant this morning. -16C with the windchill meant balaclava, mitts, Gore-Tex-fronted tights and the winter bike shoes.

Warm this morning

Submitted by Jaykay65 on

Oh but I am still in my pyjamas after sleeping in and enjoying the start to my extra long weekend.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone and eat lots, you get to wear it off on the rides next week!!!

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