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Unexpected pathway closure this morning with the WORST warning setup possible.
So they’ve closed the bridge under Stoney Trail between Bowness and Bowmont parks, also the bit of path on the north side of the river that connect Bowmont Park to the path up to Tuscany.
I rode down from Tuscany this morning, and the barricade blocking access is located almost at the bottom of the hill, half a kilometer from the closest junction point. At that point, one is forced to turn around, climb back up the hill half a kilometer to get to the detour.
I think there might have been a sign at the junction explaining the detour, but it is really annoying that they put the barricade half a km down the hill. On my bike on the way to work, I’m not stopping to read signs unless there is a good reason to stop (like a barricade).
Anyway, another poor job of setting up a pathway closure by the City.
I’m still on the winter bike, with winter tires.
I’m still seeing massive piles of salt on the cycle tracks downtown, so the summer bike will stay in the garage until I think the salt is all gone.
So for the time being, I still get the extra workout that comes from those big clunky tires!
Icy in spots….
Even with studded tires, I thought I might go down in one spot, and I had the rear wheel spinning freely on the ice for another moment.
Hopefully the big melt is over by Monday morning. If not then, then looking at the 7 day forecast it should definitely be done by mid week.
Bring on the sunshine!!!
Thanks Gary,
Nice to know someone still reads these comments!
FYI, I personally support multi-modal use of the cycle tracks.
The first time I saw a skateboarder/roller blader in the tracks I was irked. But really, they’re not busy, there’s lots of room, and they deserve space too.
I find roller bladers are always courteous enough to stop the wide striding when you announce you’re passing from a reasonable distance back. Same with skateboarders who might be using the whole track, they always make space when you announce you’re coming.
We should just think of this as an opportunity to say hi to more of our fellow wheeled friends!
It’s being discussed in council, so no by-law yet.
Here’s an article on it:
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/bike-transportation-changes-calgary-1.5035372
Pedal Assist E-bikes can keep you warm. I test rode my dad’s new e-bike, and as Greg Lemond says:
“It doesn’t get any easier, you just get faster”
I have also experienced that shot of envy while being passed by an e-bike in the winter. Specifically during a -30 blizzard, and this fatbike with studded tires and a battery goes cruising past me doing 30, working enough to stay warm but obviously not struggling. Meanwhile my 2” studded tires were going this way and that in the heavy rutted snow while I huffed and puffed my way into work at what felt like a snail’s pace.
A bike like that is definitely on my n+1 list, someday….
Wow, this morning my van (during the car portion of my commute) said it was -30 in the bow river valley (5 degrees colder than what they were reading at the airport). Even so I saw 6 other cycling commuters on my way in.
Good job everyone! Hope you were all warm enough!
Finally nailed it.
Got my layering almost perfect this morning. My head was a little too warm by the time I got to work, but not so bad I was sweating buckets and risking freezing.
Only took 10 years of trial and error!
Was amazed to see heaps and heaps of salt on the Peace Bridge, but no melting of the snow there at all.
I don’t like the dry cycle tracks.
The reason they’re dry is the tons of salt that Roads dumps on them.
I spent two years winter commuting on the 12th Ave cycle track, and that has convinced me to avoid them in the winter if at all possible.
The amount of damage done to my bike from the salt is not worth it.
Now, I’m lucky to have studded tires on my other bike which I’ve gone back to for this winter. I’ve switched to riding around the north end of downtown on the bow river MUPS, and then south on 1st St SE.
Although I enjoyed winter commuting downtown without needing studs, I’m much happier on the sometimes icy pathways this year with my studs, knowing that my chain won’t be a pile of rust halfway through the winter.
