The last of the hot weather

We have been spoiled during the last few days.  After having a stormy week last week, we had some nice days this week.  Today was the best of them all, with a high of 25 C!

I noticed that more people were on their bikes today and that's great.  I do admit though, I missed last Friday's Critical Mass because of the storm.  It was too dangerous with the high winds, to be out on a bike.  Today, that's a whole different story.  I could have worn shorts today (but didn't) it was so warm.  I wish I wasn't so lazy tonight, but I feel like hanging around, not spending time on my bike.  What's wrong with me?

Tomorrow, it will be cooler with a high of only 13, but the sun will still be out.  I am going to help out with the Ancient Forest Boardwalk again.  I could stay the night, but want to be home to relax on Sunday.

It is going to be a great weekend!

River's Day Festival

After days of going through a big storm and lots of rain, the sun broke out today. Which is great, as there was the River's Festival today at the local park. This year is it's 10th year in our City.

It was nice to bike there and hang around without having to bundle up. I waited for a friend I know to show up. I didn't call him beforehand, but figured because it was so nice outside and there was free music, that he'd show. And he did!  There were lots of bicyclists out today.  One lady at a stand asked me if I really had biked to there.  She thought it was a bit cold for that.   I told her I bike till the roads get really icy and that if I had a better winter bike, I'd bike through winter.

I got to see some good music including a fiddler who performed at the 2010 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony. You might remember him as the guy with the Mohawk. This time round he was wearing a hat. Good fiddler though and it turns out that I know his Mother! What a small world.

Isn't this the coolest?

Just discovered this cool pack that lets you be seen.

SEIL bag by Lee Myung Su design lab from Ben on Vimeo.

Change of seasons

Today is Fall.  It's been Fall for a bit here now.  The days are getting shorter and I've had to dig out my headlamp and use my knog.  I actually prefer it over my BLT light as it stays on my bike seat (hard to tell it's there) whereas the BLT light isn't as flexible where you can put it.  The knog goes on just anywhere.

I also got a Planet Bike BRT LED strap light from my Sister-in-law.  She doesn't need it but thought I could get some use out of it.  I sure have!  Any illumination helps.  I wear it on my right leg and it looks cool when it blinks.

The sun has been rising when I've been biking to work.  Next week I will be biking to work before the sun rises...so lights are a definite must!

I'll be biking as much as possible till the snow really falls.  I had luck and rode the bike most of the last winter, but I suspect more snow will fall this year.  I want to get a simple beater bike built this year- grocery getter, but I need to save money for a while.  I don't want to wreck the chain on my bike and I prefer fatter studded tires for the icy roads.  Mind you, I really miss shopping without the bike, it is not as enjoyable!  But Winter is not here yet, so still will be on the road.

I just hope I can keep my motivation up for this blog during winter as I often get the blahs. I have a Delhi2Dublin and an Arrogant Worms concert to look forward to this Winter, so not all is bad.  I think having to post here will help and so does working on the Rambler's hiking club website, keeps me going.

Upgrade bike paths or build new bike paths?

The city has got some funding to be used towards bicycle infrastructure.  When I was bicycling home from grocery store the other day, I noticed construction equipment on one part of the bike path I was using.  They added a little bit to the trail so it goes out to an intersection and eventually it will be paved.  Paved bike paths are ok, except I find they get 'root heaves' in just a few years after being paved.

On the parts of many paths around town, there are tons of root heaves on the paved sections.  Sometimes it's easier just to go off the path and ride around them.


I wonder what the preference is for riders on bike paths, pavement or dirt?  I suppose there would be no root heave problems if there were no trees nearby the trail.  Are there many paved bike paths around North America that have that problem?


I think the money would have been better spent building new dirt bike paths.  As long as the dirt bike paths are made the right material, so any bike can ride on it, I don't mind dirt paths.  I just think that our city doesn't have much for bike paths, and I prefer bicycling on them.