Edmonton Thread

[neil_@40]

I have just talked to two other commuters on my route. And I'm not sure if they are still riding in this cold, but I do see tire tracks in the Mill creak ravine in the mornings. Monday was cold but a nice ride. I'm hoping it warms up a touch and I can get out for a mountain bike ride in the ravine soon.

And Keith a support group would be nice....somewhere with warm coffee and hot chocolate.

Also Pig_Chaser my co-workers ask me all year why I don't drive. In the winter I get looks of worry when I leave to ride home.

[icebike]

I saw two new cyclists today on my commute in and out. Both wearing ski goggles. Both running without front lights, and only one with a rear blinky. I really worry about those bike ninjas, one day they're going to fly into me around a corner.

[neil_@40]

After the weekend we had, I love riding in this -15/-10ish. Anyone survive this week? Or are you frozen outside on one of the MUPs

[Pig_Chaser]

After the weekend we had, I love riding in this -15/-10ish. Anyone survive this week? Or are you frozen outside on one of the MUPs

I'm still here! I was actually quite surprised how little clothing I needed to bike the -34c on Monday. Really just an undershirt, longsleeved shirt and windproof layer on top of it.

The -2 temps last night sure made the roads soupy. Not wet (well a little) but soupy, I thought there was a fresh snowfall until I got home and saw that the walks didn't need shoveling. I guess the cars shred it up when it warms up like that.

I think -10/-15 is the ideal winter temperature range. Easy to dress for and roads conditions stay good.

[neil]

I got frightened off by the big snowstorm, and then the cold snap. I've never been a winter biker before, so adapting is kind a new thing, and I don't have the best winter equipment (or, actually, any bike-specific winter gear at all). I did ride a little bit on Saturday, but only as far as the grocery store. With the better weather, though, I'm back on the wagon for my commute. Hoping for studded tires for Christmas...either that or I'll have to sit down and spend some time studding my own.

[Sixty Fiver]

If things stayed at -10C to -15C for the entire winter I would not complain... it didn;t get warm enough yesterday to affect the hard pack and the roads got a little clearer.

Have not had any traction problems (with or without the studs) as the city has done a pretty decent job of sanding things down.

Should be a nice day for riding which is good... we are having a Christmas party down at EBC tonight and I will be slinging drinks (it's a cash bar), the DJ will be spinning tunes and it should be a rather excellent time for everyone that shows up.

If folks aren't busy you should stop by to partake in a little Christmas cheer.

[Abneycat]

The EBC party was pretty fun, it was nice to see the shop and meet a few people. Hope to drop in more often.

[Sixty Fiver]

Just got home... the party was awesome and folks want to know when we are doing this again...

[MickT]

Just got home... the party was awesome and folks want to know when we are doing this again...

Hi Sixty fiver,

I went for a ride this morning and tried out my new studded tires. I bought the 294 Nokians and they are great. I just got a Surly LHT and originally the studs were for it, but it was just so damn shinny. I had to put them on the mountain bike instead. Still hoping to ride to Strathcona wilderness center and camp out but the roads are a mess. Good to hear of all the great work you guys are doing in Edmonton and I hope to drop in after the holidays and see the shop.

Cheers...MickT.

[Pig_Chaser]

So one of Edmonton's finest jumped out at me on my commute home last night. Apparently, he thought I was a snow mobile and he was going to bust me for riding in the city limits.

[icebike]

You must breath really loudly while cycling....

So one of Edmonton's finest jumped out at me on my commute home last night. Apparently, he thought I was a snow mobile and he was going to bust me for riding in the city limits.

[Abneycat]

Hey, can anyone tell me about Edmonton's critical mass? Does it exist? Is it good? Where does it meet up, and what's a typical route like?

[Sixty Fiver]

Critical Mass happens on the last Friday of each month at 5:30 - we meet at City Hall and ride out from there regardless of the weather.

I recall a January night a few years ago when it was -30 C and there were only 5 of us on the ride, but we rode.

[Sixty Fiver]

So one of Edmonton's finest jumped out at me on my commute home last night. Apparently, he thought I was a snow mobile and he was going to bust me for riding in the city limits.

That is funny... I have freaked a few other cyclists when I pulled up behind them with the Nighthawk blazing and made them think there was a motorcycle behind them... had one guy jump a curb because he thought he was going to get run over.

[Abneycat]

Fantastic, city hall is just a few blocks east of my apartment. I'll probably show up for critical mass tomorrow as long as it isn't snowing.

Is 5 of you the smallest you've ever seen? Sometimes back in Calgary, 5 would show up to a relatively decent month like March or September

We'd sometimes just go have a party at the Good Life co-op instead of riding on those days, heh.

The most I can ever recall was about 75 during one of the Earth Day rides.

[ddez]

I see a guy go by my high rise often,rides a older mountain bike i think(too high up to really tell),has long right and left mirrors and always pulling a trailer. Really surprised me one day pulling double trailers,looked very neat and lit up quite well. He rides in most weather. Wonder if he's on here.

[Sixty Fiver]

Fantastic, city hall is just a few blocks east of my apartment. I'll probably show up for critical mass tomorrow as long as it isn't snowing.

Is 5 of you the smallest you've ever seen? Sometimes back in Calgary, 5 would show up to a relatively decent month like March or September

We'd sometimes just go have a party at the Good Life co-op instead of riding on those days, heh.

The most I can ever recall was about 75 during one of the Earth Day rides.

come in June during bike month... there will be 200-300 people on the ride.

During the warmer months our rides are very well attended and the post ride rides are always a lot of fun... we often do midnight rides on a weekly basis during the summer.

Bike Month is also a blast.

[Abneycat]

Well, i'm actually moving back home now. But Edmonton's got some nice cycling aspects to it, the EBC was a nice shop and it was good to meet the people there and see how another co-op does it.

[groovestew]

FYI: The MUT connecting Terwillegar to Cameron Heights via the Anthony Henday ped bridge is open & complete.

Hi idugboe,
I take it this trail wasn't complete in by April 2009, then? It was on the city's cycle route map back then, and my brother-in-law and I went looking for it, but ended up at the water treatment plant. Where is the start of that trail from Cameron Heights? I live not too far from there and wouldn't mind checking it out.

[Sixty Fiver]

It's a beautiful day in Edmonton... am watching things from downtown and am pleased to see so many cyclists that are not messengers.

Nice to keep an eye on my ride while I work on things and have the girls give me free coffee since I fixed their heating / cooling issues. Figure with the heat set at 25 and the AC at 20 they were wasting thousands of dollars as both systems were running against each other.

[groovestew]

Hey, I'm two blocks away from there! I get my morning cup-o-joe at that Second Cup every morning. I'd stop by and say hello but I'm chained to my desk today unfortunately.

[Sixty Fiver]

Hey, I'm two blocks away from there! I get my morning cup-o-joe at that Second Cup every morning. I'd stop by and say hello but I'm chained to my desk today unfortunately.

Used to hang out here when I was a messenger and still pop down on a nearly daily basis to enjoy a cup of coffee... there are so many people out cycling today is is just awesome.

[frymaster]

please tell me that the bullhorned bike on the right isn't yours.... that's the worst lock job i've seen in a while!

[Sixty Fiver]

please tell me that the bullhorned bike on the right isn't yours.... that's the worst lock job I've seen in a while!

My bike is the shackled up Twenty and the other bike belongs to one of the messengers... this is probably the safest place to lock your bike up downtown as it is messenger central and only suicidal bikes thieves would mess with a bike that is locked up here or anywhere else in the core.

There is only one instance I know of where a guy tried to steal a wheel off a messenger's bike and when he was caught tried to take out the messenger which was probably do-able, but really stupid, because 5 more guys showed up and beat him into paste.

[Sixty Fiver]

Another gorgeous day that rates sunscreen and a medium weight jacket...

Am bombing around on the Trek today, wondering why I would ever think of selling such a nice bike.