A few weeks ago, the permanent new pathway section by Heritage Park was put in place.
Early in the construction of the new buildings at Heritage Park, the old pathway was torn up and a number of temporary pathway sections were put in and taken out as construction progressed.
The old pathway was good. It cut across the old tram tracks, and was relatively smooth and straight as it took you from the reservoir to the Eagle Ridge residential area.
Early on, I expressed a couple of concerns to Heritage Park that the new pathway section they’d put in place was going to cause some potential safety issues on the pathway, as it was right between the new buildings and the new parking lots. After parking, all the people were being fed onto the pathway system without any notification they were on a section of the city pathway, and not a Heritage Park pathway. I was told that was just a temporary solution. I asked to see an electronic copy of the proposed final pathway, as that section is a key piece of the commuter route from the S.W. but was never sent anything.
So, now the new pathway is in place. Instead of a relatively straight section, there are now 8 bollards, 5 sharp turns and 6 intersections with other roads, pathway intersects and crosswalks. Two bollards are placed right in the middle of the arc of a curve. One of the sharp turns has a nicely landscaped “pit” at the arc — if you don’t notice the sudden turn, you’re going to end up in the pit. Bollards also spread large groups of pedestrians and runners out across the entire pathway, as they split and flow around the obstruction.
This new pathway is probably one of the most dangerous and poorly planned sections of pathway infrastructure I’ve seen in the city, and I’m amazed that the Parks & Rec department even approved it.
As a regular cycle commuter and a long time family season’s pass holder at Heritage Park, I’m also quite disappointed that the park’s executive team only considered what was ideal for the park, and not for the thousands of other people who use the city pathway on a regular basis.
Here’s a short video of that section.
Reflective ribbon on backpack, originally uploaded by elliottzone.
If you use a backpack when you’re commuting, adding some reflective ribbon to your pack can help make you more visible.
On my backpack, I have two pieces of reflective/neon yellow ribbon. I fixed them to the pack in an X pattern. They’re about 16″ long, so about 7″ dangle below my pack and flap in the wind.
My theory behind this is that the flapping parts may attract a bit more attention because they’re flapping. I added three grommets to each strip. This makes it easy to attach to any pack with a couple of mini carabiners or plastic ties.
Cost for the ribbon was about $10.
On my ride to work this morning I encountered some pathway users that I don’t often see — at least not this close.
There’s a narrow strip of pathway that goes between two houses and then leads you onto the pathway to go around the reservoir.
Right behind the two houses is a wild grassy area, and I always slow down at this exit as there are often people or dogs that wander blindly across the path. When I slowed down this morning, I saw three white tailed deer standing right next to the path.
I stopped, and could have reached out and stroked the head of one of them and the side of another, they were that close.
Yay! There’s finally a local source for Boeshield T9 — a metal lubricant and protector developed by Boeing for airplane parts.
While I don’t really have room in the driveway for an airplane, I do have a number of bikes. T9 works extremely well as a long lasting and multi-weather lubricant for bike chains.
According to the Boeshield folks, “Road cyclists can get about 300+ miles (500Km) per application. In wet weather riding reapply after half that distance. For off road riding reapply after one quarter that distance, more frequently if conditions require. For best performance, ‘apply tonight, ride tomorrow’. ”
Lee Valley now carries the Boeshield T9 in both a bottle and aerosol can. The bottles are great, as they don’t take up much room in your pack, and a little goes a long way.
I’m looking forward to trying this lubricant in the winter, as Boeing states the T9 lubricant excels in damp environments.
For more info, visit the Boeshield Canada site, or Lee Valley Tools’ site.
Riding to work, originally uploaded by elliottzone.
There are some days when it feels like my ride will never end…
Slogging through the snow can be challenging at times, especially when it’s -25C outside, dark, windy and just plain ol’ not fun.
But, I just remind myself the alternates are to pay $26 / day to park my truck downtown, or take Calgary Transit. Transit is terrible in Calgary, so it’s always a last resort…
One snowflake by itself is a thing of beauty. When they all gang up on you, however, I’m always reminded that “there’s strength in numbers”.
Darn snowflakes…
If you’re looking for a good pair of cycling shoes for riding in cold snowy conditions, you don’t have many options. I chose a pair of Lake MXZ300 winter shoes and this will be my third winter riding in them.
First impression
These shoes are comfy! The neoprene internal liner is a nice snug fit, without being too tight or constricting. You should get a pair that are a size or size and half larger than you would usually wear. This will let you wear a pair (or two) of thick warm socks. Trying to cram your foot into a shoe that’s too tight will work against you by constricting the blood flow to your foot. Less blood flow means colder feet.
I have to admit, it’s rare that I come across a product that I’m completely satisfied with.
Usually, there are at least a couple of things I’d have done differently or that I think could be improved upon.
So, imagine my delight when I came across a backpack that seemed to have been designed specifically for cyclists. I also have a feeling it was designed, not by the marketing department, but by people who actually USE a backpack when cycling. Gadzooks!
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