Cycling Thread 2

[Fuzz]

Originally Posted by calgarygeologist

I'm sure that removing any trees would require a significant and lengthy environment assessment.

I assessed it. It's cool. Lots more around. That particular patch is a fire hazard, considering it's called Fireside. Best to murder them.

[calgarygeologist]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

I assessed it. It's cool. Lots more around. That particular patch is a fire hazard, considering it's called Fireside. Best to murder them.

If only Parks Canada was that logical.

[powderjunkie]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

That lot usually fills up by 10:30 or so. Adding the extra vehicles will have people out of luck.

Apparently train station has a fair bit of capacity now.


HWY 546 west of Sandy McNabb will be closed to vehicles until May 14. IMO it's an even nicer ride than the Parkway (fairly recent paving until the big hill; good chance of seeing sheep). IIRC there is a nice viewpoint ~6-7kms in...a big down/up a bit beyond that isn't great for families, but good for getting your legs back!

[Flames0910]

There's no need for parking or cutting down trees, Fenlands plus the train station is plenty of space.

If this is going to be semi-permanent, they just need to connect the trail to those lots better so that cyclists don't have to navigate all the traffic coming into and out of Banff and taking selfies at the damn sign.

[Ryan Coke]

Originally Posted by powderjunkie

Apparently train station has a fair bit of capacity now.


HWY 546 west of Sandy McNabb will be closed to vehicles until May 14. IMO it's an even nicer ride than the Parkway (fairly recent paving until the big hill; good chance of seeing sheep). IIRC there is a nice viewpoint ~6-7kms in...a big down/up a bit beyond that isn't great for families, but good for getting your legs back!

Apparently there was bridge work going on that had that road closed a few km past the gate. Last I heard is it was still going on, and bikes couldn’t pass. Unless there has been a recent change that I haven’t heard about.

It is too bad, that is a good ride though (though the 1A is still better IMO).

[RichieRich]

Any ideas how 12 mile coulee is running for mtb’ing?

[surferguy]

My bike now has a flames flag because playoffs.

[RichieRich]

Originally Posted by surferguy

My bike now has a flames flag because playoffs.

Do those rails on the back hold beer bottles or cans (horizontally of course) best?

[GGG]

Originally Posted by calgarygeologist

Isn't that next to impossible during the summer? Johnson Canyon has always been overloaded when I've been.

Not until later June aside from Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. (Assuming your are getting their by 11)

[kermitology]

My friend Dave tracked 3 different modes of travel for his commute here in Victoria. This won’t shock many of us, but it’s a super interesting look at how fast driving can cycling can be wildly different. I had similar experiences driving on Deerfoot vs biking to Quarry Park.

https://twitter.com/user/status/1522330311857606656

[surferguy]

Originally Posted by RichieRich

Do those rails on the back hold beer bottles or cans (horizontally of course) best?

Beer cans will absolutely nest in there nicely

[Northendzone]

Originally Posted by RichieRich

Any ideas how 12 mile coulee is running for mtb’ing?

There is a calgary and are related trail report groups on the Facebook called Mountain Biking Trail Reprots for Calgary and Area

I feel like I read that Bowmont is good this week, but join and have a look thru the group

[M*A*S*H 4077]

Originally Posted by Ryan Coke

Apparently there was bridge work going on that had that road closed a few km past the gate. Last I heard is it was still going on, and bikes couldn’t pass. Unless there has been a recent change that I haven’t heard about.

It is too bad, that is a good ride though (though the 1A is still better IMO).

I know someone who rode down there last weekend and the bridge construction was about 10km in, still ongoing

[Ryan Coke]

The mountain biking trail reports on Facebook is very useful, it is actually the only thing I use Facebook for. And they do have some road reports for things like the sheep river road and the highwood as well.

[Northendzone]

nice day yesterday for bike commuting; however, that wind in the afternoon not fun. it added about 10 minutes to my commute and i had to ride into it on my long south stretch.

i was on rubber leg street by the time i got home. So far on each commute i find myself taking extra stuff into the office plus i am now toting my computer so likely an extra 5 lbs or so in the bag

[Fuzz]

Originally Posted by Northendzone

nice day yesterday for bike commuting; however, that wind in the afternoon not fun. it added about 10 minutes to my commute and i had to ride into it on my long south stretch.

i was on rubber leg street by the time i got home. So far on each commute i find myself taking extra stuff into the office plus i am now toting my computer so likely an extra 5 lbs or so in the bag

I had 8 hard drives the other day, that was a weight on my back!

[calgarygeologist]

Originally Posted by Northendzone

nice day yesterday for bike commuting; however, that wind in the afternoon not fun. it added about 10 minutes to my commute and i had to ride into it on my long south stretch.

i was on rubber leg street by the time i got home. So far on each commute i find myself taking extra stuff into the office plus i am now toting my computer so likely an extra 5 lbs or so in the bag

The ride home always sucks. I go west so it is always into the wind. I go up the hill beside 16th Ave from Shaganappi to the Foothills Hospital and despite that stretch heading east I am also somehow riding into the wind going up the hill.

Hauling the laptop and a few other things on my back is not ideal. I'm almost thinking about some sort of rack or side saddles to make things a bit easier.

[edslunch]

Looking for an ebike but there are too many options. I need it for my bad knee and it’s for general riding around the city and camping so a hybrid style would be good. I looked at an Envo D35 and it’s really nicely featured but felt underpowered on steep hills.

Any recommendations on a sub $3K bike?

[GGG]

Originally Posted by edslunch

Looking for an ebike but there are too many options. I need it for my bad knee and it’s for general riding around the city and camping so a hybrid style would be good. I looked at an Envo D35 and it’s really nicely featured but felt underpowered on steep hills.

Any recommendations on a sub $3K bike?

Looking at the D35 it has a geared hub rear motor. In general the way it feels up hill will be consistent on all the other geared hub e-bikes. The issue is that the low end torque is limited because it is directly trying to drive the wheel. The hub motors do have gears inside but if they get geared down more you’d sacrifice top speed. So the hill climbing limitations are a compromise for the hub motors.

The solution to this limitation is the mid-drive motor. The mid-drives provide torque to your pedals so take advantage of your gearing allowing you to climb hills easier. Unfortunately they generally don’t come in at the 3k or less price point.

[ken0042]

Some positive news regarding the canal pathway. This is the word from the Parks department:

“Parks inspected this pathway in summer 2021 and we did see a number of root heaves and other bumps. We are in the process of working with Mobility to get sections of the Western Irrigation Canal pathway replaced but we are limited by scheduling, logistics and costs. We are planning to start with sections closest to the city centre and moving outward from the Bow confluence toward the outer periphery, as there are many sections of this pathway that need repair/replacement. We won’t likely be at this section until at least 2023 but it is definitely on our radar for replacement in the future.”

My Councilor's office then added this:

"So although it’s on their radar, it is a ways out in their repair plans. I would continue to report the issues to 311 as they arise, and encourage others you know who ride this path to do the same."

So please be sure to submit 311 requests for pathway repair. Might be worth adding in your 311 request that you have confirmation from Transportation Minister Rajan Sawhney that this pathway is under the jurisdiction of the City of Calgary.

While this pathway has been in need of repair for several years, if it gets fixed by next year that will be great. However even better would be if we can put the pressure on to get it started sooner.