Western Canada - Calgary riding

Even though the weather sucks right now and it pretty icy, anyone still thinking of trying to get off the trainers for some km's outside this winter?

Just wondering.

I know I'll be looking for any opportunity.

I'm thinking of getting some winter tires and trying a commute next week. I'll leave early in the morning just in case there are any ice issues.
I know a lot of people who commute no matter what, but I'm a wuss. My limit is about -10 C.

Yes, my cut off for commuting is -15, which it was today...I hope to get a road ride in if the conditions melt..

I ride outside every day. This weather doesn't bother me much.

I commute every day, generally will skip if it's below -30 tho. :)

If I'm at work, I got there on the bike. This includes the worst storm of the winter, and the coldest day. The best chance the bus company has of getting a buck offa me is if they pry it out of my cold (frozen?) dead hands.

Simple sig site has an inspired (imo) article about a lot of years of winter bicycling in Calgary.

i commute as cold as -25c... the key is to spend too much money at mec on underwear and gloves and those 'gobi liner' socks.

and studded tires.

yea, I commute almost everyday as well. 15km trip one-way is a good way to start and end the day no matter what the conditions.

I am just hoping to get some miles on the road bike outside of the basement on the trainer asap!

Cheers,

see you on the paths.

I have to admit, Calgary traffic scares me, never mind winter. I grew up in FSJ and ice and snow is dangerous on a bike - even more so if you factor in no formal bike trails and drivers who either don't care or don't notice bikes.

However, I have decided that being car-free is not a good thing in Calgary and refuse to do anything but walk or use public transit.

Been looking at longer rides having pedalled a lot previously in Victoria (daily to/from work) as a summertime thing - either to Bragg Creel or Sibbald. The choices are based on range really, I'ma go eBike for this, but intend on seriously pedalling. I just want to make sure I get there and without rubber legs.

137992

I has some routes I want to try but getting out of town seems to all center as follows:
(I live near 14St, 17Ave SW)


Ride out of city:

West, 14th Ave to 29th St,
swing back to 17th,
cross Sarcee into the bike trails up to Strathcona Dr.
Take the backroads by the old place to 85th St

Go North to Hwy 1 West - Sibbald or
South to Glenmore Trail Glenmore (Hwy 8) west to Hwy 22 (25KM)


C-Train:

Remember the hours:

Weekdays: before 6:30 a.m., 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., and after 6 p.m.
Weekends: any time

Get to 15th and 15th,
north to 14th Ave,
right to 11 St,
left to 8th Ave
Follow 8th Ave to 7th St
Get to C-Train
bring the bike on to Somerset Hwy 22x west – Bragg Creek

Just one thing about the C-Train, I will have a trailer (http://www.tonystrailers.com/cargo/#fdprices) and I'd love to know how easy this would be to get on/off.

And last...

I have a certain list of places I was going to try to ride as eBike test, but it appears that the two routes - via Springbank and Priddis to Bragg seem to be quite popular. Unless you want to try the flyfishing/guerilla camping from MTB, I don't expect partners on the ride, but a "Hi" would be nice. I'll be in touch when it's built and I start riding.

glenmore/twp 241 (at least i think it's 241) west to 22 is an awesome ride. wide wide shoulders most of the way and rolling terrain

Just wondering if you've stopped at Kamp Kiwanis at the junction to 22 (west)... Thinking I might need to recharge there before the Bragg Creel stop, or better yet- any long downhills? Planning on testing my regen capability. May not even need the motor for most of the ride as I see it...

if you turn right at 22 instead of left there's a monster downhill followed by a monster uphill to hwy1

Ouch, no net gain there. Overall I'd lose since regen is not uber efficient. But hey it's all good scenery and peddaling will only help me out.

Itching to try some of the routes I've figured out. Hardest part is getting out of the city safely really.

I was looking at the fish and wildlife GIS and it seems that the river there looks like pretty good fishing, so who knows....

For me it's all about the ride and the fishing on the way.