Cycling Thread

[tete]

I think my legs are getting stronger - when I first started cycling, I could barely make the light on 10th Ave & 5th St southbound - I was generally sailing through as it turned yellow. Last night, I made it through the light while it was still a solid green. I sucked wind for the next four blocks, however, but I'm still pretty impressed.

Are there any places in the downtown core/riverwalk area where I can ride and encounter some small hills to get more strength? I'm horribly out of shape and don't have to do a hill beyond the 5th St. cycle track underpass or the underpass on the river under the 10th St. Bridge. (my commute is only 3 kms) I'm just a couple blocks from Mount Royal, but I think I'd die trying to ride up there right now.

[Baron von Kriterium]

Originally Posted by tete

Are there any places in the downtown core/riverwalk area where I can ride and encounter some small hills to get more strength?

If you ride east along the Bow Pathway at the Zoo, there is a nice little hill you can practice on.

You can make a loop by continuing north towards Telus Spark, go west on the path until St George's Dr and take that hill and aim back to the Bow pathway.

Once you get the legs and lungs, there are a few short but somewhat steep hills off the Nose Creek pathway up into Renfrew that you can try.

[KTrain]

If a guy like Chris Froome isn't going fast enough for a driver, we're all in trouble.

[Bigtime]

As you start conquering those little hills come across the river and climb the path up McHugh bluff that goes under the stairs that everyone works out on (by the curling club).

[Bill Bumface]

Better yet, hop on a mountain bike, and take the dirt trail that goes straight up the side of the Nose Creek valley beside 16th ave:


https://goo.gl/maps/umRYXzsjXMN2

[Northendzone]

or work your way up the road at ed worthy park as that bad boy is a real gutbuster.

back when I was younger I used to live in Patterson, talk about a bike ride getting you in shape as I would just recover from the hill at ed worthy, oonly to have to deal with the uphill from bow trail/sarcee to Patterson - good times, good times.

[redflamesfan08]

Originally Posted by Northendzone

or work your way up the road at ed worthy park as that bad boy is a real gutbuster.

back when I was younger I used to live in Patterson, talk about a bike ride getting you in shape as I would just recover from the hill at ed worthy, oonly to have to deal with the uphill from bow trail/sarcee to Patterson - good times, good times.

Known to me presently as the ride home.
I was all set to dispute the north-south wind discussion, so I looked it up and saw that sure enough the prevailing winds (at the airport at least) are southerly most of the year.
The hills to the west are even worse when there's a head wind, and there is no such thing as a wind strong enough to make a difference when descending.

[kermitology]

Originally Posted by Northendzone

or work your way up the road at ed worthy park as that bad boy is a real gutbuster.

back when I was younger I used to live in Patterson, talk about a bike ride getting you in shape as I would just recover from the hill at ed worthy, oonly to have to deal with the uphill from bow trail/sarcee to Patterson - good times, good times.

I grew up in Coach Hill and did that Edworthy hill regularly. I'd sometimes just go up and down a few times. But man that second climb into Coach Hill was brutal. You'd be so gassed at the end of it all. I feel like my tiny climb up the Renfrew swtichback is nothing in comparison, and I'm so old and out of shape.

[GGG]

On the south side of downtown, the climb out of Stanley park heading south is a nice one.

[worth]

🚲 🚲 🚲 Did you guys end up doing a ride together? Anyone interested in a ride in August on a Saturday or Sunday? I think that's the next time I can get my schedule to work. 🚲 🚲 🚲

[KTrain]

We haven't done a CP ride yet but I'm game for one.

August is tough because I'm doing the Ride to Conquer Cancer (Aug12 & 13) and likely taking some vacation but if I can make it I will.

[Northendzone]

Originally Posted by kermitology

I grew up in Coach Hill and did that Edworthy hill regularly. I'd sometimes just go up and down a few times. But man that second climb into Coach Hill was brutal. You'd be so gassed at the end of it all. I feel like my tiny climb up the Renfrew swtichback is nothing in comparison, and I'm so old and out of shape.

i used to find living in the Patterson area that i would battle the wind going home, plus there was the uphill to look forward to and then there was the optic of riding into the current of the bow river.

i then remember being excited to finally discover the switchback by shagnappi golf course - not as hard to climb, and you could at lest get a bit of a rest going along that one street (spruce?) that lead to bow/sarcee before starting the last climb.....

good times......

[BurningYears]

Originally Posted by Northendzone

^ no, I am the cyclist that slows down and then grumbles about how I need to create more energy to get my speed back to where it was.

I feel this way as well. Double edged sword it is!

[worth]

which was is the wind blowing?

[KTrain]

Originally Posted by worth

which was is the wind blowing?

North to beautiful south.

[Flames0910]

So hypothetical question... if you had security footage with a great (profile pic worthy) screen cap of your scumbag bike thief would you:

A) give it to the police and hope for the best
B) post it to every social site you can think of
C) ???

Right now I'm at A, but B seems oh so tempting...

[KTrain]

A and B but that's just me. Might help speed up the investigation for the police.

[Fuzz]

No reason not to do A and B.

[Bigtime]

Originally Posted by KTrain

North to beautiful south.

The afternoon wind was but a whisper compared to what the southbound folks got for a push in the morning.

[Bigtime]

Originally Posted by Flames0910

So hypothetical question... if you had security footage with a great (profile pic worthy) screen cap of your scumbag bike thief would you:

A) give it to the police and hope for the best
B) post it to every social site you can think of
C) ???

Right now I'm at A, but B seems oh so tempting...

A and B, get the word out all over.