Cycling Thread 2

[KTrain]

This was the ride from Canmore. I met up with the other riders in Banff and then we went to Minnewanka before there were too many cars/people there. Then we went back to 1A, up to Louise, over to Moraine and back down.

Makes for a 200+km day but hard to beat the views.

https://www.strava.com/activities/3709431196

[RichieRich]

Originally Posted by KTrain

This was the ride from Canmore. I met up with the other riders in Banff and then we went to Minnewanka before there were too many cars/people there. Then we went back to 1A, up to Louise, over to Moraine and back down.

Makes for a 200+km day but hard to beat the views.

https://www.strava.com/activities/3709431196

dang that's a fast pace for both km's and vertical. well done, well done indeed.

[Flabbibulin]

Its gnat time of the year again...

[squiggs96]

Today was the scheduled date for the Whistler GranFondo, obviously cancelled due to Covid. The temperature was good, the sun was out, and there is no rain in site. However, the smoke is almost as bad as it was in 2018. I rode Thursday afternoon and it felt like most of it had gone away. I gone in a real nice 4 hour ride. It started moving back in yesterday and today was gross. I think the fondo would have been real tough up until we got past Squamish. I'm not sure how all that smoke for the first couple hours would affect the riders during the last couple hours. Or how much the smoke from the previous week would affect the lungs.

The smoke smell seems like it has gone away this evening, but the sky is still clouded over. We might get rain on Monday and Tuesday, so hopefully that gets rid of some of it. I likely won't ride tomorrow either, just to be safe. Most people I know went on Zwift instead of going outside today.

[soreshins]

Is Bow Valley Parkway still closed to vehicles?

[Ryan Coke]

Yes, from highway 1 to Castle junction. Although even the open section north of that to the Lake Louise turn off is lightly trafficked and a beautiful ride as well.

You can either park right where the closure is off of highway 1, or there is a parking lot right at Castle junction. Both can fill up later in the morning depending on the day.

I’ve been 3 times lately, and probably going to get out there one more time, hopefully later this week. Feel free to ask if you have any other questions.

[Fuzz]

You can also park at the rec centre just off the highway at the second exit. You ride a road past Vermilion lakes, then a paved pathway to the start of the 1a.

[Flabbibulin]

Was going to take a vacation day tomorrow for one last go at the parkway by myself, but wife is concerned a quiet fall weekday on the parkway by myself is iffy because of bear activity...

Of course Ill be packing bear spray, but anyone hear of bear encounters on the parkway? We aren't new to spending time out there- I think a grizzly encounter we had near Sulphur back in July has her spooked.

[Fuzz]

Originally Posted by Flabbibulin

Was going to take a vacation day tomorrow for one last go at the parkway by myself, but wife is concerned a quiet fall weekday on the parkway by myself is iffy because of bear activity...

Of course Ill be packing bear spray, but anyone hear of bear encounters on the parkway? We aren't new to spending time out there- I think a grizzly encounter we had near Sulphur back in July has her spooked.

I wouldn't worry at all. I've done it plenty of week days and there are still enough people around.

[Treycal]

Originally Posted by Flabbibulin

Of course Ill be packing bear spray, but anyone hear of bear encounters on the parkway? We aren't new to spending time out there- I think a grizzly encounter we had near Sulphur back in July has her spooked.

I've done the Parkway a half dozen times this year (both from Banff to Castle and Banff to Louise). In all those rides, I've seen one bear. It was at the side of the road just before the one longer climb before Johnson's Canyon. It paid absolutely zero attention to the dozen or so cyclist that passed it. Now granted the road in general was fairly busy but I would not be too concerned about bear encounters on the Parkway.

[KTrain]

Yeah, the couple times I've done it I've seen bears once each time. The first the bear didn't care and there were lots of people. The second time parks personnel were nearby to direct cyclists away from the side. They seem to patrol that section frequently.

[KTrain]

I can't remember if I posted this here before.

If you like the data Strava provides but want easier access to view it all and break it down a bit, you should check out statshunters.com. I believe it can only access your data if you subscribe to Strava though.

It shows a heat map of the routes you've done. More easily see all the activities you've done. Compare time frames. It's fun for seeing your progression on the bike.

Here's some of the data after connecting my account to show you how it can break down the data.

Spoiler!

[squiggs96]

Originally Posted by KTrain

If you like the data Strava provides but want easier access to view it all and break it down a bit, you should check out statshunter.com.

Missing an s in the adddress: https://www.statshunters.com/

[KTrain]

Originally Posted by squiggs96

Missing an s in the adddress: https://www.statshunters.com/

Thanks! Corrected.

[squiggs96]

Originally Posted by KTrain

Thanks! Corrected.

What a great site. Thank you. I'm not sure I'll have time to bike anymore, being that I'll be looking through the graphs and charts. I didn't think I had turned my Garmin on when I was in London in 2012, but I have stats there. It turns out those are the Zwift virtual rides from this year. It also makes it look like I've biked in New York. I'm very worldly according to the heat maps. It's nice there are some new badges to chase, as the Strava ones get repetitive.

[KTrain]

Calgary Cycle is having their dent, scratch and demo sale if you're looking for a discount and don't mind a little wear on the bike. They come with full warranty and service.

https://shop.calgarycycle.com/articl...demo-pg131.htm

[RichieRich]

something really p*ssed me off last night... installing a new tire onto my 29er rim... and didn't realize I'd given ye 'ole snake bite to my tube until I went to pump it up. You know how much these tubes cost!!! ... or how hard it is to find one!! Of course the snakebite is right near the tube seam which makes it harder to patch. AAAAARGH!!

[Fuzz]

Originally Posted by RichieRich

something really p*ssed me off last night... installing a new tire onto my 29er rim... and didn't realize I'd given ye 'ole snake bite to my tube until I went to pump it up. You know how much these tubes cost!!! ... or how hard it is to find one!! Of course the snakebite is right near the tube seam which makes it harder to patch. AAAAARGH!!

My new mantra is to always have 2 tubes of every size needed. Sucks to do that.

[RichieRich]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

My new mantra is to always have 2 tubes of every size needed. Sucks to do that.

I *had* two tubes... grrrr.
Actually I have a number of holy-tubes... guess I could use my spare time to patch them. start a black market on tubes or something.

[squiggs96]

I bought the Tissot Tour de France watch from Justin at Gems by Carati. It just arrived, and I have no idea what all the buttons and dials are for, but I really like the look and feel of the watch.

This special edition has been created for the cycling passionate who wants to wear a both sporty and comfortable watch. It embodies Tissot’s involvement and passion for cycling. This model is inspired by the design of a racing bike. The pushers look like brake levers and the yellow colour reminds the champion’s jersey. In addition, the new dial in carbon and the indices in the shape of a bike saddle give a touch of exclusivity. The caseback has been engraved with the Tour de France logo and with a set of sprockets recalling a bicycle cassette.

https://www.tissotwatches.com/en-en/t1114173720100.html