Cycling Thread

[Wormius]

Is there a preferred means of commuting via bike in Calgary? What I mean is, is it better to use the pathways as much as possible, or to use the most direct route to your destination? I guess it might just be personal preference but I was wondering how other people approach this.

For the most part, I could get around on the pathways from the NW until I end up around the SE industrial areas. There are faster routes, but I guess what I am worried about is a) getting clipped and b) causing a bottleneck. Is this just a confidence thing, or are these normal concerns to have?

[Bunk]

^ hopefully at some point we'll have enough on street bike lanes that getting most places in the city will be comfortable for most users.

Where are you commuting to/from?

[Temporary_User]

Originally Posted by Wormius

Is there a preferred means of commuting via bike in Calgary? What I mean is, is it better to use the pathways as much as possible, or to use the most direct route to your destination? I guess it might just be personal preference but I was wondering how other people approach this.

For the most part, I could get around on the pathways from the NW until I end up around the SE industrial areas. There are faster routes, but I guess what I am worried about is a) getting clipped and b) causing a bottleneck. Is this just a confidence thing, or are these normal concerns to have?

The more people that use the roads, the more drivers, media, and politicians will see the need for more bike lanes and bike friendly areas.

[Coys1882]

Originally Posted by Wormius

Is there a preferred means of commuting via bike in Calgary? What I mean is, is it better to use the pathways as much as possible, or to use the most direct route to your destination? I guess it might just be personal preference but I was wondering how other people approach this.

I'm lucky in that I only have a short distance on pathway through Fish Creek Park until I hit Acadia Drive and Canyon Meadows. I prefer the road because I don't have to deal with a) pedestrians, b) bad pathways and c) speed limits. I find Acadia and Fairmont to be plenty wide enough and the drivers on it quite tolerant of cyclists. Where Fairmount turns to Centre street until 58th Ave is another story.

[Wormius]

Well, I am basically trying to get from 14th St NW and Country Hills Blvd to the general vicinity of IKEA. It looks a bit daunting from the start, but its mainly downhill, so that would be an advantage on the way there.

And actually after playing around with the cycling options on Google Maps, it looks like sticking to the pathways for the most part doesn't add a lot of extra distance. For some reason, I thought coasting down 14th St. would be a lot shorter than going all the way over to the Nose Creek pathway and paralleling Deerfoot.

[Wormius]

When I lived in Kelowna I found the way all of the roads were set up, that it was very bike friendly. I think the bike lanes made it fairly easy for bikes and cars to cohabitate on the roads. Nobody was in anybody's way. Seeing the risks that bicyclists have to take in Calgary on the roads here gives me butterflies. I have tried biking downtown here during busy times and it wasn't really a positive experience. Maybe other areas are less intimidating.

[RougeUnderoos]

Originally Posted by squiggs96

No. This is the attitude that makes drivers and pedestrians hate cyclists. There are rules of the road. Follow them whether you are walking, biking or driving. Stop signs, traffic lights, lanes, etc. are there for a reason.

Cars and pedestrians have a designated lanes. Cyclists don't. Drivers often actively hate cyclists who are following the rules, like riding on the side of the road.

If self-preservation is an instinct you possess (and I do), a hybrid road/sidewalk route is absolutely necessary.

[StormShadow]

Originally Posted by Coys1882

I'm lucky in that I only have a short distance on pathway through Fish Creek Park until I hit Acadia Drive and Canyon Meadows. I prefer the road because I don't have to deal with a) pedestrians, b) bad pathways and c) speed limits. I find Acadia and Fairmont to be plenty wide enough and the drivers on it quite tolerant of cyclists. Where Fairmount turns to Centre street until 58th Ave is another story.

Wow this is almost exactly the route I need to take. Ill be coming west along canyon meadows to Acadia, then north. Acadia until it turns to Fairmont and keep winding my way north just about to the Saddledome.

Centre street gets a bit rough?

[Wormius]

Originally Posted by StormShadow

Wow this is almost exactly the route I need to take. Ill be coming west along canyon meadows to Acadia, then north. Acadia until it turns to Fairmont and keep winding my way north just about to the Saddledome.

Centre street gets a bit rough?

I've walked that section of Centre St. I think its pretty busy from the C-Train station. You may be able to follow next to the railroad tracks. I know in one area there is a trail next to the railroad tracks. I could be wrong about that. It has been a while since I have taken the C-Train to Chinook.

[flylock shox]

Originally Posted by squiggs96

No. This is the attitude that makes drivers and pedestrians hate cyclists. There are rules of the road. Follow them whether you are walking, biking or driving. Stop signs, traffic lights, lanes, etc. are there for a reason.

Nah, some rules are dumb: waiting for a red light at 5AM when there's nobody in sight in either direction; coming to a full stop at a stop sign on the bike when you'll just break your momentum and cause a car that's already waiting for you to wait even longer; not using an unoccupied sidewalk to get out of the way of cars and/or avoid obstacles like stalled buses; hopping off your bike to use a crosswalk rather than just remaining on it but moving at a slow pace...

Just so long as you exercise good judgment and respect the other people on the road (and sidewalk) you'll be fine. Some rules just need to be more strictly applied to one-ton high-speed death machines than they do to bikes.

[Coys1882]

Originally Posted by StormShadow

Centre street gets a bit rough?

It's narrower than the other roads, the pavement sucks and there are lots of lights. You'll be fine - just be careful. Look for me when you ride - I'm the guy with the bright green MEC backpack.

[bossy22]

Anybody riding the Banff Gran Fondo this weekend?

[Norseman]

Originally Posted by Wormius

And actually after playing around with the cycling options on Google Maps, it looks like sticking to the pathways for the most part doesn't add a lot of extra distance. For some reason, I thought coasting down 14th St. would be a lot shorter than going all the way over to the Nose Creek pathway and paralleling Deerfoot.

The city does a pretty good job of keeping the Nose Creek pathway clear of snow in the winter too, it's a nice little secret for the year-round commuter.

Outside of summer, the pathways are largely left to the bikes which is nice. On the hot summer days though, I'd rather be on a road than dodging dog-walkers, roller-bladers, and the like on the pathways. Just my own experience though

[Old Yeller]

There's bear warnings up biking through the Weaselhead right now and it's part of my regular commute to work. I've almost hit a tree trying to avoid a deer, I've decapitated a squirrel that ran right out in front of me... so I figure I'll probably run into this bear at some point.

If a member of CP sees a nice 2012 Trek Ion road bike with light blood stains on it in Weaselhead, you're welcome to it, I won't be needed it anymore.

[StormShadow]

Went to a different shop today (bow cycle). The salesmen showed me a Kona Dew Plus which was pretty similar in price to the Norco Indie 3. He then recommended looking at the Norco Indie 1. Thec price is almost 45% more ($940ish) but he said the better parts and dependability of the drivetrain mqke it more than worthwhile. Its possible I could stretch my budget that far but is it really worth while or am I just being upsold?
Also, is it common to take a couple bikes out for a test ride?

Again, I appreciate the help.

[Northendzone]

spending more to upgrade to better drivetrain parts is never a bad investment when buying a bike - but everyone has a price point.

most shops should let you take it on some kind of test ride - you likely have to leave some id.

[StormShadow]

Me again.

Went over to a place close to my house called Pure Cycle. Small store but nice store with a decent selection. The salesman said that they offer a lifetime tune ups and such for the bikes purchased there. Ive narrowed it down to a bike there or a specific one from Bow Cycle. Does anyone know if boy cycle offers a similar deal? Ive heard a tune up can cost 120-150 bucks... twice a year for a commuter. $300 a year is some nice sounding savings for a bike I hope lasts a long time.

[Northendzone]

My only negative thought about the lifetime tune up is how long has pure cycle been around for? Bow cycle has been around for a long time. Also which shoppe is more covienent for you to get too?


On an unrelated note my neighbor Iand I went biking on moose mountain today. We made the rookie mistake of driving to the top, then riding down a trail that took us down to the mountain. When we got to the bottom we realized we had made a huge tactical error.......neighbor was able to get a ride back up top and I waited with the bikes.

Ride was disappointing for me because it was a downhill bike trail and I am an old school cross country guy, who rides a hard tail. Next time we park at station flats and ride from there.....

I was disappointed in that I had not ridden my bike in the backcountry for years and I felt like I wasted an great opportunity.

[bossy22]

NEZ, go to west Bragg creek. The new trails are a lot of fun. What trail did you ride?

[bossy22]

Originally Posted by StormShadow

Me again.

Went over to a place close to my house called Pure Cycle. Small store but nice store with a decent selection. The salesman said that they offer a lifetime tune ups and such for the bikes purchased there. Ive narrowed it down to a bike there or a specific one from Bow Cycle. Does anyone know if boy cycle offers a similar deal? Ive heard a tune up can cost 120-150 bucks... twice a year for a commuter. $300 a year is some nice sounding savings for a bike I hope lasts a long time.

Pure is actually owned by Calgary Cycle. It was Derricks way of keeping CC a high end shop. He sells the cheaper bikes at Pure. Bow offers a one year tune up, but they have the best mechanic in town. For most tune ups though, it's pretty easy to do yourself.