tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30709443086318548522024-03-12T23:40:42.885-07:00 seen from my bicycle a chronicle of my cycling journeys and thoughts along the wayJanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09045805019491974798noreply@blogger.comBlogger273125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3070944308631854852.post-81434640050913648332022-04-30T08:40:00.006-07:002022-05-01T11:17:32.569-07:00Pond Life<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/American_Avocet/id" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="720" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil8OeLbymwjdZqrKLLPDVO9_q9yjWEDZlnG3CG5X7HcKJZRtvPNJhDL0_5Rbd7A_19lZNAMDhTkqE6lGM-jmMF-0Lau6hES6yq_SAk06kcsDj2rDdL7lSkLJ3dpSMTaGaRrA5l-bUhjdCwiW7add0iHBY4eJVtZmBEzazDUSw2pbI5avMhhhPUaPzFtg/s320/American%20Avocet.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">American avocet</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Spring means the return of ducks and geese to the local ponds. Today, along with the ubiquitous mallards and Canada geese, we saw an American avocet and a pair of Northern Shovelers.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Northern_Shoveler/overview"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="720" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi88I2dVGCntOARlUinX57J6MHooIRroe7KLmYE4dHrisJXW4MZqsZu_SwF2ih21wa9HBwtIcTXLLud64Psc_ILtSRzLMCe9huHNQBatmC9rQYPDHElOkLltQnfnKPyfP6KFhnlfKBSVWIz_oVseEdXDSBhRVllRw4BRlMqca8fpoyZNWyP3HheLF-Zcw/s320/Northern%20Shoveler.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Northern_Shoveler/overview">Northern Shoveler</a></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuNmR_HlrkdiUVF8w_M_LbK_0qbNL91wLSKHiEfN3y8p5diGHVoecC4nrInuRo8dhw92SujZNd-UEvZWS4gwsbxcg9EExSnKn4rpfnlLzSUGDD61F7s7bjl2GW5_x2JnYVE5LphDogzNQFZAE1qm6yx6Upz7Oo9cluoIVMg1exuDrE_7FMqp6QBoe5Pg/s1047/Avocet.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="912" data-original-width="1047" height="279" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuNmR_HlrkdiUVF8w_M_LbK_0qbNL91wLSKHiEfN3y8p5diGHVoecC4nrInuRo8dhw92SujZNd-UEvZWS4gwsbxcg9EExSnKn4rpfnlLzSUGDD61F7s7bjl2GW5_x2JnYVE5LphDogzNQFZAE1qm6yx6Upz7Oo9cluoIVMg1exuDrE_7FMqp6QBoe5Pg/s320/Avocet.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVrP4b6b2D-smKVgiuKojtmkbk1jWmsXhGhDI3ZXcWRfJd3FpXbJNsArGERSSxBxbiiwgo3HycNzZt58zo_gBjM2kb-XYtxJnFQf9LEZk62EcP8hOac74_qHQiSPP3CWeQ6rbAPpKn6vSoydFDnZryOJlK9h5ZEzp2dqqQHgPS4uh_5mCeHafd_BhSoQ/s1216/Shovelers.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="912" data-original-width="1216" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVrP4b6b2D-smKVgiuKojtmkbk1jWmsXhGhDI3ZXcWRfJd3FpXbJNsArGERSSxBxbiiwgo3HycNzZt58zo_gBjM2kb-XYtxJnFQf9LEZk62EcP8hOac74_qHQiSPP3CWeQ6rbAPpKn6vSoydFDnZryOJlK9h5ZEzp2dqqQHgPS4uh_5mCeHafd_BhSoQ/s320/Shovelers.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p>Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09045805019491974798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3070944308631854852.post-44356736462466716912018-06-23T14:09:00.000-07:002018-06-23T14:22:05.249-07:00What's in a name?One thing about bicycle commuting is that you have a lot of time to think. I try to keep my thoughts positive, but sometimes stuff happens to make that difficult.<br />
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For example, I'm riding along, minding my own business, when I see a garbage truck making a left turn. Pretty normal behaviour, right? Except that this garbage truck is closing in on an elderly lady who is crossing the street on the walk light. Rather than coming to a complete stop and waiting for the woman to clear the intersection, the driver chooses to maintain only light pressure on the brake, so that the truck eases its way towards her, making it clear that she is taking too long to cross, and that it is only because the driver doesn't want a black mark on his record that he is allowing her to proceed. I feel indignant. And then I notice the irony. The name of the garbage company is Green for Life. My quick-thinking mind thinks of a more fitting moniker: <span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Green for Death</b></span>.<br />
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This is the beginning of a new trend. During the next few weeks as I ride in the protected bike lanes downtown, I happen to notice that not once, not twice, but <i>three times, </i>either I or a fellow cyclist has a close call with a DynaLife driver. You guessed it -- that company's name is now <span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>DynaDeath</b></span>.<br />
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Then one winter day, weary of jiggling my way over the packed snow and ice covering the marked on-street bike route through Glenora, I decide to try the sidewalk on Stony Plain Road. Maybe, just maybe the home and business owners along that stretch have cleared the walk and it will be a better ride. I know, of course, that it is not strictly kosher to ride a bike on the sidewalk, but when the city refuses to clear the roads on the bike routes, it can be mighty tempting. And so I give in to temptation. Ah joy, most of the sidewalk is indeed cleared of ice and snow, and it is a pretty good ride. Until I reach the walk in front of Young Life. Or should I say, <span style="color: purple; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Young Death</b></span>? I'm not exactly young, but as I rode on their sidewalk, I felt the hand of death.<br />
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<i>This is fun. </i>I entertain family and friends by telling them about my renaming spree.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicGVOoqaVlwBKGEA4UZCaHHLJzpJBvI-pwwUqMXy6yajPH6Gpa2Td1MOSxJVh3GjANDmwIhD-dMhLiNFdhY_aukHYDiNarmZT0iWcGSarBvmGc75RPcN57G62FkI3YNQxqgG1_NwsGuHEt/s1600/Benches+and+planters+May+2018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="898" data-original-width="1600" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicGVOoqaVlwBKGEA4UZCaHHLJzpJBvI-pwwUqMXy6yajPH6Gpa2Td1MOSxJVh3GjANDmwIhD-dMhLiNFdhY_aukHYDiNarmZT0iWcGSarBvmGc75RPcN57G62FkI3YNQxqgG1_NwsGuHEt/s400/Benches+and+planters+May+2018.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Then summer rolls around. Construction abounds, most of it necessary, but truly mystifying is the creation of benches and planters on the path connecting the 121 Street bike lane with the 105 Avenue bike lane -- a short path behind the Brewery District plaza. It was a nice clear route, but for some reason the powers that be decided to festoon the path with planters and benches. What was previously a direct, hazard-free ride has become an obstacle course. A glance at the vests of the workers and I have the chance to re-christen yet another company. Wilco -- classic shorthand for "will comply" -- becomes <span style="color: orange; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Wilinco</b></span> (stress on the second syllable: "will-IN-co") -- short for "will inconvenience". And they live up to their new name in days to come, running a large hose across the path one day, and parking one of their vehicles on the path another day.<br />
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Anyone want to join in the fun?Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09045805019491974798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3070944308631854852.post-90148510971062349192018-06-02T14:49:00.002-07:002018-06-23T14:19:50.420-07:00reflections on long red lights<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Anyone who bicycle commutes in Edmonton knows the city-planners' rule: if there is a red light on a bicycle route, it should be an extra-long red light.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">This is true at a couple of the intersections on 106 Street heading south from the river. It is also true at 102 Ave. and 116 St.; 105 Ave. and 116 St.; 105 Ave. and 109 St.; at 121 Street and 104 Avenue; at Kingsway near the Royal Alex; at 111 Street near the transit centre. The list could go on.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I have to admit, sometimes this really irks me, especially when the wind chill is around -35 C and I am literally the only person at the intersection, waiting, waiting, waiting for the light to change.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTlPgVNcZz1sSVFkMHGquqQE-XC0cdx_zLkrr9aXOyQxvtQA74FhOjHpJnlWphA1FPAqSfeE5iNgofv1-00E0BsfzTjECmpWM-uU3Mqsyp9at_rEcuQ6fHb77PHAcKLtMgQDE1C3qscoOU/s1600/Umbertos.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1201" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTlPgVNcZz1sSVFkMHGquqQE-XC0cdx_zLkrr9aXOyQxvtQA74FhOjHpJnlWphA1FPAqSfeE5iNgofv1-00E0BsfzTjECmpWM-uU3Mqsyp9at_rEcuQ6fHb77PHAcKLtMgQDE1C3qscoOU/s640/Umbertos.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Recently, however, I have been trying to use these long waits as opportunities for reflection. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The corner pictured here provides the waiting bicycle rider with ample food for thought. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">On my left I can feast my eyes on Umberto's hair salon, with its quaint 1940s architecture, complimented by Italian-themed awnings and a coat of mustard paint. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">And just in case I am tempted to forget this important truth, Umberto reminds me: </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"<b><i>After all, no matter what you wear... you are still judged by your hair.</i></b>"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Thank you, Umberto! This is just what I want to think about as my hair is being squashed into strange shapes by my bike helmet, aided by the elements.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEPxJPoKFb0J11Ent-odO9M26oQFW0GebInQ0BcP3-J-oukwlL97vcX-xK4Z8BMQKZ86jK2J5xzUsrgvGCMifdTDYQWODhyzMspZm8WXQVG3c6VZJEaD_3xc8M4sMyzycABte-M9SxGlDF/s1600/The+Twinson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEPxJPoKFb0J11Ent-odO9M26oQFW0GebInQ0BcP3-J-oukwlL97vcX-xK4Z8BMQKZ86jK2J5xzUsrgvGCMifdTDYQWODhyzMspZm8WXQVG3c6VZJEaD_3xc8M4sMyzycABte-M9SxGlDF/s400/The+Twinson.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">But that's OK. If I tire of Umberto's, I can turn my gaze to the other side of the street and The Twinson apartment building. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Where, I ask myself, does this name come from? Is Twinson a surname? Apparently not, an admittedly cursory Google search tells me. (I have time for said Google search as I wait for the light to change.) So, p</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">erhaps the owner is the proud parent of twin boys. But in that case, shouldn't the name be The Twin Sons? This conundrum occupies my mind until, at last, the light turns green.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I get ready to ride, only to find that I have to wait until the drivers whose green light didn't last long enough shoot through the intersection on the red light. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I would be annoyed by them, but by this time I am so grateful for the opportunity to continue my ride that I almost feel like writing a thank you note to the city: </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Thank you, City of Edmonton, not only for giving me time to pause in my busy day and reflect on the important things in life, but also for allowing the light to turn green so that I can proceed on my journey. And thank you that I can look forward to several similar <strike>lengthy waits</strike> opportunities for reflection before I reach my destination.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">What about you? Where are your favourite lengthy red lights on your bicycle commute? What deep thoughts occupy your mind as you wait for the light to change?</span></div>
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Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09045805019491974798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3070944308631854852.post-50750391753651481732017-09-30T16:18:00.003-07:002017-09-30T16:58:12.732-07:00Five reasons you should try winter cycling -- this winter!<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">When I was growing up, bicycle
riding was strictly a fair-weather activity. As soon as the weather turned cool and the
snow began to fall, the bikes were stored in the garage, appearing again only after
the snow had disappeared in the spring. In southern Saskatchewan, where winter
began in late October and continued well into April, this meant bike riding
season lasted only six or seven months.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Fast forward a number of years: I
started working in downtown Edmonton. Parking was free at my workplace, so like
most commuters, I drove downtown every day. And every day, I saw people on
bikes. I was envious – they seemed to be having such a good time and were
getting some good exercise, while I sat behind the wheel, feeling the
middle-age spread gaining ground.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">That winter was unusually mild,
so after a few weeks of wistfully watching other bicycle commuters, I decided
to give it a try. I didn’t buy any special clothing; I already had some water
resistant running pants and a warm jacket. At this point in my life I didn’t
even own a bike; the plan was to buy one in the spring. But in the backyard there
was an old knobby-tired mountain bike that the boys had rejected, so I pulled
that out, adjusted the saddle to a comfortable height, attached a couple of
lights and a front basket, pumped up the tires and hopped on.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLai6H-57bo9_nPfhR65D2awp4Yo174mSovJ8XRgS1BmfHyJnMzxXBsl51ZVff9n8hS-fUFr1myJWXJuLAjrhseOn7dzgq4J81J9sbAoOEGrFNQWc1I5djZVtgWT_AcFz0yW2_t5l_Vket/s1600/Bikes+and+footprints+100+Avenue+snow+Nov+2016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLai6H-57bo9_nPfhR65D2awp4Yo174mSovJ8XRgS1BmfHyJnMzxXBsl51ZVff9n8hS-fUFr1myJWXJuLAjrhseOn7dzgq4J81J9sbAoOEGrFNQWc1I5djZVtgWT_AcFz0yW2_t5l_Vket/s400/Bikes+and+footprints+100+Avenue+snow+Nov+2016.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Since that first winter commute in February, 2012, I haven’t looked back. I began by riding only on the “nice
days.” But my definition of a nice day has changed. Minus 30 now means I cover
my face with a balaclava, add another layer or two under my coat, and and stick some
hand warmers in the mittens.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Contrary to what you might think,
I am not some super-athlete or bad-ass biker girl type. </span><span style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">I’m just an ordinary person
who has discovered what I believe is the best way to get to work – all year
round.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">If you already commute to work by
bike during the warmer months -- or even if you don’t -- I heartily recommend you try winter bicycle commuting. Here’s why:</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">1) <span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></b><b style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">It is
cheaper than driving or taking transit</span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">This is
especially true if you live close (5 km or less) to your destination. Starting
your car and driving such a short distance is possibly crazier than riding a
bike during the winter. Add in the cost of parking, and it can become outrageous.
Even taking transit is not cheap. And you have to stand around at bus stops,
feeling the biting wind and nippy air. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">If you
already own a bike and mittens, a hat, boots and a coat, cycling to work is
free. Depending on your parking situation, you might have to buy a good-quality
lock. But you should have one anyway, unless you want to ensure that you won’t
have a bike the next time you want to ride.</span><br />
<div style="text-indent: 0px;">
<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-indent: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif";"><b>2) </b></span></span><b style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">It is more
fun than driving</span></b></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Figuring out
the best route to take. Learning how to navigate a sketchy patch of road. Sailing
along a cleared shared-use pathway. Watching winter-white hares cross your
path. Taking in the Christmas lights on the houses as you ride by. The
challenges, thrills and quiet pleasures are yours for the taking.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv-uY3pUaAkQrOvjJPshuZaXYHzi1lEb5m40Sdgr4M5lWxYc4emjA6GyHubrSi5rWJTsPyxlVe2VT2VVNlKK119Si4VZ0DfetxYwKzJzifCVz24kG4WeI-6jQEGdAsJjd1bkFq1NsVUo0n/s1600/Trees+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv-uY3pUaAkQrOvjJPshuZaXYHzi1lEb5m40Sdgr4M5lWxYc4emjA6GyHubrSi5rWJTsPyxlVe2VT2VVNlKK119Si4VZ0DfetxYwKzJzifCVz24kG4WeI-6jQEGdAsJjd1bkFq1NsVUo0n/s400/Trees+%25282%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> <b style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">3) </span></b><b style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">You will
feel good about yourself (and your work)</span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> <a href="https://hbr.org/2011/05/the-power-of-small-wins"><span style="color: purple;">A</span></a><span style="color: purple;"><a href="https://hbr.org/2011/05/the-power-of-small-wins"><span style="color: purple;">n article in Harvard Business Review</span></a> </span>reports that<span style="color: purple;"> </span>minor successes can help workers feel
good about their tasks, to the point that their performance improves. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">You can’t
help but be encouraged and uplifted after your successful ride to work. And
there is nothing like doing something that many people consider daring or
extreme to make you feel brave and accomplished as well.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Even on the
coldest days, or days when the riding conditions are not ideal, the fact that
you persevered and made it will give you a boost. You will start the work day
feeling successful, strong and capable of anything.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">And after
work, instead of a ride on a dreary bus or sitting in the car, creeping along,
you can repeat the adventure</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">.</span><span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;"> <b> </b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;"><b><br /></b></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;"><b>4)</b> </span></span><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><b style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">It’s good for your mental health</span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqY6hNl9PECrxeV0_fdI70AzBemfyfGtafLzqD4ZqukQC9IeljsTYlXT5dYPpMynpCKI631LhB936G_q_qHt6HvyZfhZVphx4u34DnWe_NaaxaIAx7Wq3-3J3Su9mPPSM63dKP0irIUlnL/s1600/Cold+selfie+Jan+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="162" data-original-width="122" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqY6hNl9PECrxeV0_fdI70AzBemfyfGtafLzqD4ZqukQC9IeljsTYlXT5dYPpMynpCKI631LhB936G_q_qHt6HvyZfhZVphx4u34DnWe_NaaxaIAx7Wq3-3J3Su9mPPSM63dKP0irIUlnL/s1600/Cold+selfie+Jan+3.jpg" /></span></a><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The
seemingly sunless days closing in on us can make us feel dark and down at
times. It’s no secret that many of us hate winter and simply try to survive it,
looking forward to the beach vacation and then spring. But <a href="https://psychcentral.com/lib/are-you-sad-this-winter-coping-with-seasonal-affective-disorder/"><span style="color: purple;">recent research by University of Vermont psychology professor, Kelly Rohan</span></a>, reveals that a more effective
and desirable way to combat the winter blues is to find winter activities that
you can enjoy and commit to doing them regularly.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><a href="file:///Z:/A%20TESOL/Benchmarks/Five%20Reasons%20You%20Should%20Try%20Winter%20Cycling.docx#_edn2" name="_ednref2" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></span></span></a></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Why not combine this with your need to get to work, riding your bike, instead of sitting in the car or on the bus, killing two birds
with one stone? It has worked for me! </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"></span><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"><b>5) </b></span><b style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">It’s good for your physical health</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">It's no news that exercise is always good for you, but it seems that exercising outdoors in winter is even
better. <a href="http://www.metronews.ca/news/winnipeg/2017/01/11/winnipeg-expert-says-winter-exercise-possible-and-beneficial.html"><span style="color: purple;">According to Dr. Dean Kreillaars, </span></a></span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">University of Manitoba professor and exercise physiologist, “winter’s varied surfaces, extra clothing
and temperature all play a role in challenging people’s bodies in ways unique
to the season.”<span style="font-size: 14.6667px;"> </span>The
result is that we expend more energy in winter than we would in warmer weather
to do the same work. </span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Incidentally, Kreillaars echoes Rohan’s discovery about the mental health
benefits, saying, “When people get outside we know their mood tends to be
better.”</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Cycling is obviously not the only way to get outdoor exercise in the
winter, or even the first thing that comes to mind when we consider winter
activities. But you have to go to work, or to school, or wherever you go every
day anyway, right? Why not do it on your bike and add that bit of extra,
ramped-up winter exercise to your daily routine?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Of course, I know winter cycling might not be for everybody. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">But almost
everyone enjoys riding a bike. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Almost everyone has to go somewhere, at some
time. Even in the winter. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">In the words of the old adage, </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">“Don’t knock it till you’ve tried it.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">I
have a feeling that once you’ve tried it, you <i>won’t </i>knock it!</span></div>
<div>
<div id="edn2">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="edn3">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
</div>
Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09045805019491974798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3070944308631854852.post-69932655206693993562017-09-22T14:00:00.000-07:002017-09-30T16:19:14.694-07:00Poor Susan McNab<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Every day as I ride my bicycle to work, I see motorists commit traffic infractions. Speeding is just normal, it seems. And at virtually every intersection I see one or two vehicles zip through as the light is changing from amber to red -- and often after it has already changed.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">That's why I'm glad the city has increased the number of intersection cameras. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/photo-radar-double-dip-edmonton-1.4299319">But poor Susan McNab</a>!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">While taking her daughter to a dance
recital in Edmonton, she was, in her own words, so focused on finding her destination that she
ended up driving well over the speed limit through two intersections on 170
Street and earned herself not one, but two, speeding tickets.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">She believes that two tickets 10
seconds apart is unreasonable and thinks she should not have to pay the second
ticket.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Presumably, then, it is reasonable
to drive 72 and 74 kph in a 60 kph zone?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">And it is also reasonable to not
pay attention to speed limits when driving?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Where <b><i>was</i></b> her attention? On her
GPS? Her paper map? Google Maps on her phone?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Not on the road, at any rate. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Anyone who has driven this stretch of 170 Street knows that
it is absurd to think the speed limit would be any more than 60 kph. This
is a busy city street, not a freeway.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">As Garry Shimko, the executive director of the city’s office
of traffic safety says, <span lang="EN">"Each
intersection is a high-risk intersection, so the point … is that we're trying
to protect people at those locations because we don't want the crashes to
happen."</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">And incidentally, if McNab was uncertain about her
destination, how could whizzing along at more than 70 kph help?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I suggest that Susan McNab acknowledge the fact that she
behaved carelessly on this occasion, pay her tickets, and chalk it up as a lesson
learned. She should also count herself lucky that her careless driving did not
result in a collision.</span></div>
<h4>
<span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">And when she is in the market for a new car,
maybe she should consider one with cruise control!</span></span></h4>
Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09045805019491974798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3070944308631854852.post-80311008598448602362017-09-22T13:34:00.002-07:002017-09-23T08:46:53.034-07:00Just don't call me late for supper<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf66o08widXwaWDkTT6PM5J6WJgItRue43SNcRJkblUw7vJ8zTpQY7V71D3POREPdJfaeNpADDSVYq9D9CPVx1lN8tWPrw2IpMZ-eeAGqI8gFCxJbp2ujACggsgvHZ65DhcfpAdXkNjUfv/s1600/All+Kinds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1153" data-original-width="1600" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf66o08widXwaWDkTT6PM5J6WJgItRue43SNcRJkblUw7vJ8zTpQY7V71D3POREPdJfaeNpADDSVYq9D9CPVx1lN8tWPrw2IpMZ-eeAGqI8gFCxJbp2ujACggsgvHZ65DhcfpAdXkNjUfv/s400/All+Kinds.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><h3>
Presumably, this sign also includes Chris Bruntlett!</h3>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Just Don’t
Call Me Late for Supper!</span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Chris Bruntlett is a pretty good guy. If you don’t believe
me, just ask him. He’ll tell you!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">To be honest, I don’t know him. I’ve just read a few of his
blog posts, one of which is called “<a href="http://www.modacitylife.com/blog/?offset=1505918703311">I Am Not a Cyclist</a>.” I’ve read
it through a couple of times, and I’m still not quite sure what he is trying to say. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I do know that he favours extreme language. He <i>despises</i> being called “a cyclist.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">He <i>always</i> does this
and he <i>never </i>does that, <b>this</b> meaning all the good things “cyclists”
fail to do and <b>that </b>meaning the bad
things “cyclists” inevitably do.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">He believes that his polite, dignified behaviour makes him a
minority (I’m guessing a minority of one) and sets him apart as something other
than a “cyclist.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Clearly, I am not as good a person as Mr. Bruntlett, but
that doesn’t make me feel too bad, since I am pretty sure no one else is
either.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">And I don’t mind if people call me a cyclist. A cyclist, according
to the Cambridge English Dictionary (as well as every other dictionary I
consulted) simply means “a person who rides a bicycle.” By definition, as soon
as you hop on a bike and begin to pedal, you are a cyclist. Like it or not.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk7txjyzP3ykzVmizyHLXfIvPbm1Ee7r_WhrXyK0gmjZlbjLWeK4_9RjkKBXvRskoQI1FyRLi5SpTbsLakvv7nHTAhkhrb06FuRHNZNpukc6qSrlhbCdrfCgd5Z2SEzPIX-U7zKlA6XU9o/s1600/Heavy+panniers+2+may+8+2014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk7txjyzP3ykzVmizyHLXfIvPbm1Ee7r_WhrXyK0gmjZlbjLWeK4_9RjkKBXvRskoQI1FyRLi5SpTbsLakvv7nHTAhkhrb06FuRHNZNpukc6qSrlhbCdrfCgd5Z2SEzPIX-U7zKlA6XU9o/s400/Heavy+panniers+2+may+8+2014.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Mr. Bruntlett attempts an analogy: if he uses a vacuum
cleaner, it doesn’t make him a janitor. If he flosses his teeth, people won’t
call him a dental hygienist. But this is a flawed analogy; the terms “janitor”
and “dental hygienist” have specific definitions. (In case you are wondering,
those definitions are not “a person who uses a vacuum cleaner” and “a person
who flosses his or her teeth”!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Many monikers have stereotypes. Think of “librarian.”
Chances are you pictured a slim woman with her hair pulled back and wearing
glasses. Engineer – good at math; terrible at English. What about “lawyer”? Can
you imagine how absurd it would be if everyone who didn’t like the traditional
stereotypes conjured up by their job titles, for example, refused to let people
call them that?</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Cyclist </i>happens to
be the universally accepted English-language name for people who ride bicycles.
The fact that it has certain connotations, some of which might be negative,
doesn’t mean we can deny that this is what we are and demand that people stop referring
to us by this name. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">It’s almost as if Mr. Bruntlett fancies himself royalty or
at least someone entitled to special treatment. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Hmm, now that I think about it, it seems like he does. He appears
to think that because his behaviour while perched atop a bicycle seat is so
exemplary, he deserves to be called by a special name, possibly “someone who
often uses a bicycle.” But even his bike is not just any bicycle. No, his is a
bicycle that reflects his personality and style. And the casual observer can
probably distinguish him from other <i>people
who often use bicycles</i> by the fact that he is riding with grace, elegance and
dignity, while others around him occasionally ride fast or forget to signal or
hop on the sidewalk for a meter or two to avoid a hazardous situation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">It seems I for one would make Bruntlett’s blacklist on a
number of counts. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJnhxzbhKKOl110heiptyN_W5K3S77nj-p6pUFhHLesg5MVzCV9FCmeKsIt22h-yE6DX8tW-zOUOLn58V0Ggz3NzLlhvzNMdLktGKWe3-9IKpXrJKLWevmldpS-kX9nuepsOYytBvfEINM/s1600/Jane+April+13+2017+Bicycle+105+street+B+W.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="725" data-original-width="731" height="395" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJnhxzbhKKOl110heiptyN_W5K3S77nj-p6pUFhHLesg5MVzCV9FCmeKsIt22h-yE6DX8tW-zOUOLn58V0Ggz3NzLlhvzNMdLktGKWe3-9IKpXrJKLWevmldpS-kX9nuepsOYytBvfEINM/s400/Jane+April+13+2017+Bicycle+105+street+B+W.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">First of all, I like to ride fast. My bike is not only a way
to get from Point A to Point B, but it is a fitness tool. By working hard and
riding fast when I have the chance, I maximize the exercise benefits of bicycle
commuting or running errands by bike. As a result, I am strong and fit and
riding fast comes naturally. Riding fast does not preclude riding carefully,
and when it’s necessary I slow down, but my preference is to go at a good clip
and give myself a bit of a workout.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">This leads to the second thing: sometimes I work up a sweat.
It’s hard not to when the temperature is 28C and my cadence is 80-90 rpms. Bad,
bad, bad. Sweat is bad. Hmm... funny how <span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/health/physical-activity-pure-1.4301443">this recent article</a></span> about exercise seems to say that working up a sweat is desirable.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Thirdly, I ride my bike almost everywhere, all year round.
This means it is not always practical to simply hop on wearing nothing but my
work outfit. If it’s raining, I wear my MEC (ooh, <a href="http://www.modacitylife.com/blog/?offset=1502335085460">another bad word, according toMr. Bruntlett</a>) Adanac waterproof tights over my regular tights or work pants.
Sometimes I pack my skirt instead of wearing it, to keep it clean and dry. When
I am going for a long ride in the country or in the River Valley, I often clad
myself in “cycle wear” – spandex jersey and padded shorts. Even – horror of
horrors – clip-in shoes. For me, comfort rules, even if being comfortable means
I look like a cyclist.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Fourth on my list of Bruntlett no-nos: I usually wear a
helmet. I don’t exactly make a practice of falling, but I know it is a
possibility. Once last September, before I had my studded tires on my bike, I
rounded a corner, slid on a patch of hidden ice and was on the ground before I knew what had
happened. I hit my head and was shaken-up but not injured, thanks to my helmet.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSgLHzq9am0fZHCDsK0lDaOXNH1fTPbZ_caSDNBY87KZaSxWmD7C7iuOInsyHxvsofByxtEbGIuodTvVd2YFT_oqhWNIax3DJGaK3wW5O5r_HFmJlFuTaHenZXiOtDpcr78tdePmUISjMr/s1600/Dec+16+lights+5a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSgLHzq9am0fZHCDsK0lDaOXNH1fTPbZ_caSDNBY87KZaSxWmD7C7iuOInsyHxvsofByxtEbGIuodTvVd2YFT_oqhWNIax3DJGaK3wW5O5r_HFmJlFuTaHenZXiOtDpcr78tdePmUISjMr/s400/Dec+16+lights+5a.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Wow, lots of negatives, eh? Here is the fifth: in the
winter, when I ride to work in the dark, I wear a reflective sash over my
winter coat. Why not? It didn’t cost me much, it is easy to slip on, and it
adds to my visibility. Of course I have lights as well, but I figure the extra
stripe of reflective material doesn’t hurt.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Onto number six: I frequently share the road with motor
vehicles. This is not my preference, but in Edmonton, it is often a necessity.
The other option might be to ride on the sidewalk, and guess what? Number
seven: I do that occasionally too, for example, when the road on a marked
bicycle route has not been cleared of ice and snow. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">It makes me sad that someone like Chris Bruntlett, who obviously considers himself a leader in the "someone who sometimes rides a bicycle" realm, is spouting off about something so trivial. Rather than encouraging people to ride and talking about the benefits of riding, here he is, like a nine year old on the playground, complaining that people call him names he doesn't like.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I think I should score some points with nay-sayers for being polite,
cheerful and friendly when I ride. I try to make eye contact with drivers and
give them a grateful nod or wave when they yield to me. I say good morning to
my fellow <i>people who ride bicycles</i>
and ring my bell when passing pedestrians. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">But I am fully cognizant of the fact that no matter how I
feel about myself, when I’m riding a bike, I am and always will be a cyclist. You
can call me a biker; you can call me a bicycle commuter; you can call me a
cyclist. I don’t really care. Just don’t call me late for supper! Because, with
the amount of riding I do and the number of calories I burn, I am usually
ravenously hungry at about 6:00 PM.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09045805019491974798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3070944308631854852.post-27295681416036417082017-09-18T17:46:00.002-07:002017-09-18T17:46:30.203-07:00Welcoming another bike (or two) to the fold...<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Folding bikes, of course. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Since my Dahon Vitesse, although beautiful and a dream to ride, is not suitable for taking on an airplane as a piece of regular checked luggage, I had to start again with my search. This time we decided to go the secondhand route, so we searched Kijiji. By this time, Hubby was convinced that folding bikes were a good idea, so we ended up buying two older Dahon bikes with the sixteen inch wheels. </span><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxOIO04WvAoVWC7QNEIATCXWOcVujIX7jTjyN9VhakWog6f08MLemnBlM1HyT2tqfWKN1UMF0ttn82AEitNYBjs2WShoeek8tPg4wHVFDVTtfwmTTTMr6j3Q5ZI7VkGDFJ7n7_e18Qsyum/s1600/IMG_2172.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxOIO04WvAoVWC7QNEIATCXWOcVujIX7jTjyN9VhakWog6f08MLemnBlM1HyT2tqfWKN1UMF0ttn82AEitNYBjs2WShoeek8tPg4wHVFDVTtfwmTTTMr6j3Q5ZI7VkGDFJ7n7_e18Qsyum/s400/IMG_2172.JPG" width="300" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Mine, which I have christened "Kleine Fiets," is made of gleaming stainless steel and folds to an unbelievably small size. It came with its own softside carry case. Once I got used to the tiny wheels, it was surprisingly comfortable and fast. One problem, though -- the Sturmey Archer 3-speed internal hub isn't working quite right. I can't shift into the lowest gear. But for riding around town, without any significant hills, it was just fine with only the two gears. I tested it on a 10 km ride and even rode up the little -- but very steep -- hill on the trail behind our house. No problem!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">From looking at photos online, we figure this is one of the very early Dahons, from the 1980s.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The other is also a Dahon, subtitled Piccolo, and it is considerably newer. It doesn't have the angled bar that is on the older model and it doesn't fold quite as compactly. Like the older one, it has the Sturmey Archer 3-speed hub. I rode it over the same 10 km route, and found it pretty much the same as the other bike, except that I could shift into all three gears on this one.</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij0Z0CimUxhDO5GcCcymoCqcr6OOuw7B7FcTZn-YKSOAKC5lIFQoUGiF85_vBMz4uP0B6oCCpd81ZZF0tUw0fw5BzhlFkiHiEaSCC35S7u9g80Z9Fiw_YGHY_nl1M88kyzcqtAAXyG-zCl/s1600/IMG_2144.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij0Z0CimUxhDO5GcCcymoCqcr6OOuw7B7FcTZn-YKSOAKC5lIFQoUGiF85_vBMz4uP0B6oCCpd81ZZF0tUw0fw5BzhlFkiHiEaSCC35S7u9g80Z9Fiw_YGHY_nl1M88kyzcqtAAXyG-zCl/s400/IMG_2144.JPG" width="300" /></a><br />
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<br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So, we were pretty pleased with our finds. For less than $300, we had two folding bikes that rode well and could fit into standard suitcases.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">London, here we come. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>But.</b> Of course, there's a but. We decided to see whether we could get the gears fixed on the older bike. So, we rode to a DIY bike shop, which shall remain nameless. My understanding of this place was that there would be people there who would show us how to fix the bike. However, when I got there, the super-zealous guy said, "Wow, this is a beautiful bike!" He popped it up on a stand and started working on it. Next thing I knew, the gears were in worse shape than before. I thanked him, paid the minuscule fee and left. The bike was still rideable, but the gears were harder to shift than before and I still had only the two gears.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Oh well, I thought. It'll be OK. But then when we were trying to decide which suitcases to use, Hubby took the back rack and fenders off the Piccolo 9to make it smaller), and when he reassembled everything, something was wrong with the rear wheel. Oops!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Just proves the truth of one of my favourite sayings: if it's not broken, don't fix it.</span>Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09045805019491974798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3070944308631854852.post-24296142467826803052017-09-17T17:35:00.000-07:002017-09-17T17:35:08.790-07:00Know when to fold 'em -- bikes, that is<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Somewhere along the way, I developed a bit of an obsession with folding bikes. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The first time I ever remember seeing one was in
the late 1990s, when my next door neighbour Beverley, in Richmond, BC, came
home from a garage sale with one. Thrilled with her find, she proudly showed me
how it could fold in half and easily fit in their RV. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I thought it was pretty cool, and because Beverley was older
and at a different stage of life, I thought, “Yeah, maybe I’d like one of those
someday,” and then promptly forgot about it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Folding bikes came to my attention again when I visited
London for the first time in April of 2015. I made extensive use of the cycle
hire system, in which you pay 2 GBP for a 24-hour period and use a bike for
half an hour at a time, as often as you want, at no extra charge. For me, this
was simply marvelous, and I rode every day of my stay – to Buckingham Palace,
to the British Museum, across Tower Bridge, to Trafalgar Square, to Regent’s
Park and Hyde Park, and many more places. I did end up paying a little extra
because twice I went over the half-hour limit, but even so, it was a super
deal. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">As I rode, I spotted people on folding bikes. Lots of
people. I would see them exit the underground, break open their bikes and start
riding. They rode fast, as fast as people on regular bikes. Many had panniers
which presumably carried all they needed for a day at work. It was intriguing,
and again, I thought that was pretty cool.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">When I ended up beside a folding-bike rider at a red light,
I asked him how he liked it. He replied that he loved it, adding that he used
to use the cycle hire bikes, too, but when he would arrive at Paddington
Station in the mornings, there would often be no bikes available, so he’d have
to walk to the next cycle dock, hoping to find a bike. After a few times of
doing this, he decided to buy a folder, and he was glad he did.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Once again, the thought crossed my mind: I’d like to own a
folding bike someday.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The next winter, one morning as I rode my full-sized,
studded-tired bike to work, I spotted a woman flying out of her yard in the
Glenora neighbourhood -- on a folding bike. She sailed along over the ice and
snow, that typical happy-bike-rider look on her face. Although I had previously
felt rather special just for bicycle commuting throughout the winter, the sight of
this woman riding in an Edmonton winter </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">on her tiny-wheeled folder made me feel quite ordinary and boring.
This time I felt more determined than ever: someday, I vowed, I too will own a
folding bike.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Fast forward to the summer of 2017. I tentatively mentioned to Hubby that I was sort of, just a wee bit, interested in owning a folding bike. He likes cycling, too, but he doesn't quite get the n+1 rule, so I wasn't sure what he would say. But to my surprise, he was quite enthusiastic. I showed him the one I had in mind -- the Dahon Vitesse i7, with seven speeds and internal gearing (another thing I am a bit obsessed with, by the way.) He liked it, and it was on sale at Revolution Cycle, so he encouraged me to buy it online and we would pick it up the next day.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I love it! It is a dream to ride, and as mentioned in my post about Castor, it even rides nicely on gravel roads. BUT -- it turns out it is too big to take with us on an international flight. Bummer. I guess that means I have to try to find a different folding bike, right?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4MS6KUohvrJQa2QckKPFl0NdLB9JKrj4aOczjW-xBaTaXr0bP93XkVb7GZ0JDd6zOttP0QbAKTiHDnggsJlOIxS1oXIO4d7qal2FtXHy_DUCPi8vwfEjOQCdqDM3aW9261CM1iPEG5JMX/s1600/Dahon+vitesse+i7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1013" data-original-width="1500" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4MS6KUohvrJQa2QckKPFl0NdLB9JKrj4aOczjW-xBaTaXr0bP93XkVb7GZ0JDd6zOttP0QbAKTiHDnggsJlOIxS1oXIO4d7qal2FtXHy_DUCPi8vwfEjOQCdqDM3aW9261CM1iPEG5JMX/s400/Dahon+vitesse+i7.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09045805019491974798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3070944308631854852.post-3594722103778879382017-09-17T13:20:00.000-07:002017-09-18T15:50:57.168-07:00Riding near CastorNever heard of Castor, Alberta? Me either, until a short while ago. Turns out it is a charming small town halfway between Macklin, Sask., and Red Deer.<br />
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A couple of weeks ago, Oldest Son wanted to ride from Macklin to Castor, so I decided to join him for part of the ride. I rode about 65 km before I felt too saddle-sore to continue. He is like the Energizer Bunny; he keeps going and going, but I find I need a break after about 60 K.<br />
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Hubby and I drove down to Castor on Friday evening and with a minimum of difficulty found the campground. It is right on the highway, but shielded by a row of trees and there is no sign, so we missed the turn the first time around.<br />
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After selecting our campsite, Hubby told me I should disappear for an hour or so. Why? He likes me to believe that setting up the tent trailer is a breeze, so if I am not around while he does it I will never know the truth. Something like that.<br />
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So I took out my Dahon Vitesse folding bike and went for a ride. The campground is situated south of the highway, so I started my tour of the town on the same side. The town soon ran out, however, and I ended up on a gravel country road.<br />
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Curious to know how the 20" wheels on the folding bike would handle the gravel, I decided to forge ahead. It was just fine. I rode a kilometer or so along this road, before deciding it was a bit boring and turning around. I did manage to nicely spook some cattle that were grazing along the road. They were not concerned about the truck that went past, but when I came along, they took off.<br />
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Leaving this area behind, I crossed the highway and entered the main part of town. I was greeted by a sign with a beaver on it, and right next to it, the beaver itself.</div>
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I began by riding straight north, through the town and into the countryside. Here it was peaceful and quite beautiful, with gently rolling hills and patches of gold and green.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIp1yEuAuryQnl8sLKbU3FW3dUc3njNHyeQ469NxBda27KhBNfjlKobmG6-dBgvGuTbmmqYJshqnAqBARY3P-1mHw5aHl56SZVVeoXoSk01F_OwxbucJY3lAl5KZs7oWs9SBtmuhdL6BOk/s1600/IMG_2232.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIp1yEuAuryQnl8sLKbU3FW3dUc3njNHyeQ469NxBda27KhBNfjlKobmG6-dBgvGuTbmmqYJshqnAqBARY3P-1mHw5aHl56SZVVeoXoSk01F_OwxbucJY3lAl5KZs7oWs9SBtmuhdL6BOk/s400/IMG_2232.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGuZEj7VTeCE3IKG5QD8bgSfObcdjznRjrU4RCRg_mezMPIZnLjIACYlxjJnkCK4yPQNkxyy0y_3QGPb-2qPWyI4N-327hypWAGmlPsFLh0vHI3w4WV1nt5WK6UD_PQhF2qvacqUBfkuGn/s1600/IMG_2237.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGuZEj7VTeCE3IKG5QD8bgSfObcdjznRjrU4RCRg_mezMPIZnLjIACYlxjJnkCK4yPQNkxyy0y_3QGPb-2qPWyI4N-327hypWAGmlPsFLh0vHI3w4WV1nt5WK6UD_PQhF2qvacqUBfkuGn/s400/IMG_2237.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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But I soon hit gravel again, and although I had proven that the Vitesse was up for the challenge, I definitely prefer smooth riding, so I turned around and headed into the town, which as I said before, is totally charming. One of the most charming sights to me -- bikes standing, unlocked, in many of the front yards. I didn't see anyone actually riding, but clearly people do ride, and not only that, they don't fear their bikes being stolen.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSs_5MSauMU1hWiMatWYybXnKyAada-oWPRm4bMAg1EscbqVqb7RLqp2siGUR34mNNEWpz7iC-JDKihMzr75XXY6U8EHTQfEqPGzas__IE28jS4BopyA9bS2u5hILldJ4Q_EGQI4wJnSRk/s1600/IMG_2241.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSs_5MSauMU1hWiMatWYybXnKyAada-oWPRm4bMAg1EscbqVqb7RLqp2siGUR34mNNEWpz7iC-JDKihMzr75XXY6U8EHTQfEqPGzas__IE28jS4BopyA9bS2u5hILldJ4Q_EGQI4wJnSRk/s400/IMG_2241.JPG" width="400" /></a>I rode past the historical hospital site, <a href="http://www.historicplaces.ca/en/rep-reg/place-lieu.aspx?id=15687">Our Lady of the Rosary, built in 1911</a>, still in use as a continuing care centre.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBn5MR8vmbItUTdd73Scjqs9lzUzgYw_Ocu4W_mUZowsIeJz8eqwcGVRlBcpgX1Z-T7r7owM2QMiKJfttFVZVQcFp99881ty0VsRmvpsCw29gTtnRHBs1CjmNFIqVYvQRnbcgiTybd1Cmv/s1600/IMG_2249.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBn5MR8vmbItUTdd73Scjqs9lzUzgYw_Ocu4W_mUZowsIeJz8eqwcGVRlBcpgX1Z-T7r7owM2QMiKJfttFVZVQcFp99881ty0VsRmvpsCw29gTtnRHBs1CjmNFIqVYvQRnbcgiTybd1Cmv/s400/IMG_2249.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioeq9TcH91AqHZYBZbeNw4A8HpN0uzyy8ovSEkoYYxjf11h8wSfCYn0IPyXy8oFFKqCN2ybDKJErhPhI6UyhkgzonKGjk71oxzrffAv6i0iPYvkPBzJoIM_7ehhQPuxOP_tSpCnH7t_MUJ/s1600/IMG_2250.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioeq9TcH91AqHZYBZbeNw4A8HpN0uzyy8ovSEkoYYxjf11h8wSfCYn0IPyXy8oFFKqCN2ybDKJErhPhI6UyhkgzonKGjk71oxzrffAv6i0iPYvkPBzJoIM_7ehhQPuxOP_tSpCnH7t_MUJ/s400/IMG_2250.JPG" width="400" /></a>And of course, there's the Cosmopolitan Hotel and the obligatory small prairie town Chinese restaurant, the Shangri-La.</div>
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And I love what they've done with the old Roman aqueduct.<br />
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Kidding aside, it really is a lovely little town. </div>
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On Saturday, after a somewhat noisy night, we set off for Macklin, about 1 1/2 hr drive east. Incidentally, <a href="http://macklin.ca/bunnock.html">it is home to a giant bone, a symbol of the game of Bunnock</a>, which was introduced to Canada by Russian/German immigrants. We saw the bone -- definitely over-rated!</div>
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Once there, we hopped on our bikes and rode west. It was a good ride -- lots of rolling hills and pretty scenery. </div>
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Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09045805019491974798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3070944308631854852.post-68320876577845855832017-08-24T15:48:00.001-07:002017-08-24T15:48:52.611-07:00High points - literal and figurative<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Riding up a hill in Sturgeon County and feeling on top of the world...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Riding to the library to drop off some books and seeing a full bike rack...</span></div>
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Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09045805019491974798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3070944308631854852.post-55618058648391617692017-08-24T15:36:00.003-07:002017-08-24T15:42:40.305-07:00riding near Nordegg<br />
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On August 12, t<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">ogether with my oldest son, I rode from Nordegg to Cline River. It was a perfect day - hot but cloudy enough that the sun wasn't too intense. I tried out my sunblock sleeves, a new purchase from MEC, and they did the trick in preventing sunburn.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I rode my MEC Mixed Tape bike -- 7-speed internal hub, and was quite impressed with how well it handled the hills. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I actually began the day by riding about 30 km from our home to Highway 770 in the morning. Hubby picked me up and we drove down to the Goldeye Campground where we met Oldest Son.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Not only was it cloudy, but it was also hazy with <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCWVuCCWqzQ">smoke from a distant fire</a></i> or two (yes, I am totally giving away my age!) When I got home and looked at the photos I'd taken, I was surprised at how much the smoke covered the mountains.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Lake Abraham is beautiful. Because it was a hot day, there were lots of people enjoying the cool water, but it is still so unspoiled and peaceful.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">As we were riding, a male deer came out onto the road right in front of us. I wanted to get a pic, but someone drove by and honked to scare the deer away. This bear, however, was cooperative and didn't move! I wondered if the hat was all that remained of his latest victim.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXzbI0ImYMwmWF3o1xYafZzLP_DaDJL8MfIey6AuwoJbc-6iLuXIzVq2qsYH_4kqWf8Va19kI9MiCwqBCfLJHxPZfZx9YzCDQbGgrDZVhvAbBAI5Q5HcgM9dc6JubAmcng2dovkeekGGjq/s1600/95395BC9-3742-4EB8-B18E-CC4B4BE63748.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXzbI0ImYMwmWF3o1xYafZzLP_DaDJL8MfIey6AuwoJbc-6iLuXIzVq2qsYH_4kqWf8Va19kI9MiCwqBCfLJHxPZfZx9YzCDQbGgrDZVhvAbBAI5Q5HcgM9dc6JubAmcng2dovkeekGGjq/s640/95395BC9-3742-4EB8-B18E-CC4B4BE63748.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">our stopping point - the David Thompson Resort</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">This was the end of our ride -- the David Thompson Resort. I'm afraid </span><a href="http://www.hbcheritage.ca/people/explorers/david-thompson" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Thompson</a><span style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">'s rest</span><span style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"> might be less than peaceful if he knows that this place is named after him, but maybe the fact that he is remembered is enough?</span>Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09045805019491974798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3070944308631854852.post-17067145847516302362017-08-04T09:05:00.000-07:002017-08-04T09:16:15.985-07:00add some beauty to life<h1 class="quoteText" style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px 0px 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">“I'd like to add some beauty to life," said Anne dreamily. "I don't exactly want to make people KNOW more... though I know that IS the noblest ambition... but I'd love to make them have a pleasanter time because of me... to have some little joy or happy thought that would never have existed if I hadn't been born.”</span></h1>
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<i style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">― <a class="authorOrTitle" href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5350.L_M_Montgomery" style="color: #333333; font-family: Lato, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: bold; text-decoration-line: none;">L.M. Montgomery</a>, <span id="quote_book_link_77394"><a class="authorOrTitle" href="https://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/1133797" style="color: #333333; font-family: Lato, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: bold; text-decoration-line: none;">Anne's House of Dreams</a></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I didn't read the Anne of Green Gables series until I was an adult and pregnant with my second child. I loved those books, and as soon as I met Anne I recognized a kindred spirit. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">And when I read the above words, I had that feeling you get when you wish you would have said it first. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Travelling by bike offers opportunities to stop along the way and add some joy and happiness to people's lives. Of course, this is not one-sided -- those people usually do exactly the same for me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Because I commute to work, I cover approximately the same route at approximately the same time every day. As a result, I see some people quite regularly, walking, riding a bike, or waiting for a bus. Sometimes these people fail to appear and I experience a fleeting curiosity about what happened -- did they change jobs, move away from the area, start driving to work, take a holiday? The curiosity comes and goes and I quickly forget about them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">One person, however, stands out as a little different. This is an older lady whom I think of as Princess Grace. She reminds me of Grace Kelly. Her hair is in that classic, impeccable 1950s bob; she carries herself regally, and she wears the most beautiful scarves. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">A few years ago I would see her every day after work as she ventured out of her care home (I could see her call button around her neck) for a slow, painstakingly careful stroll to the end of the block and back. We always exchanged smiles and greetings. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">One day when I arrived at my parking spot and began unpacking my bike, she didn't appear. I dawdled a little, but in the end I had to load the bike into the back of the van and drive away. This time I experienced more than fleeting curiosity; I was slightly worried. Where was she? Was she sick? In the hospital? Perhaps even...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I told myself that this was ridiculous. First of all, I didn't even know her, not really. Secondly, she was probably just fine. I would probably see her the next day -- maybe she just took her walk later than usual this one time. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">But, no, I didn't see her the next day. In fact, I didn't see her again for months, perhaps even a year. I thought of her from time to time. I even told my ESL class about her when we were studying modals of possibility (might, could, may.) The students, practicing these verbs, offered many possible explanations for her sudden disappearance. None was completely satisfactory.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I didn't forget her. I didn't think about her every day, but occasionally when I arrived at my parking spot, I would wonder...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">And then one day, I took a slightly different route back to the van. Instead of riding on the main street, I took a side street, and there she was, wearing a lovely scarf (Hermes?) and walking as elegantly as ever. In astonishment, I stopped my bike and said hello. Her face lit up and she explained that she was taking longer walks now and she started a little earlier, so that by the time I arrived at my parking spot, she had already passed. We had a nice little chat and I rode to my van with a cheerful heart.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">That was about two years ago. Since then, I haven't seen her very often, but just this week I met up with her again. I stopped to say hello and she immediately smiled and said, "It's so nice to see you again." Of course, the feeling was mutual and I told her so. And I thought of Anne and her desire to add some beauty to the lives of others.</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">As we ride our bikes, taking life at a slower pace than so many people around us, we have the chance to do just that. </span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Share your stories!</span></i></div>
</span>Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09045805019491974798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3070944308631854852.post-29559443534550512102017-06-19T13:53:00.000-07:002017-06-30T08:12:05.598-07:00Lilac Lane<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">One of my favourite spots north of town is what I call Lilac Lane -- farm fields planted with a border of lilacs. Last year I missed seeing the lilacs; you have to get the timing just right. But today I saw them in all their glory. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">It was a gorgeous day for a ride, so I headed up the Campsite Road hills and on over to Lilac Lane. Close to this spot is a semi-hidden range road that is like a little roller coaster. I love to ride up and down the hills until I reach the highest point, and then comes the reward -- I can turn around and ride down (with a few ups along the way) to the bottom. It's a great workout with a beautiful view. One day on this road I spotted a fox. Today a deer ran across the road a few hundred meters in front of me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Today I also ventured onto an unpaved road. I was on my commuter bike, so the tires are a little fatter than the road bike tires, so I thought I'd give it a try. The road was not exactly gravel, but a sort of hard packed dirt and gravel mix, and the riding was fine. This was another pretty ride with a couple of decent climbs.</span></div>
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Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09045805019491974798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3070944308631854852.post-49381679711032405862017-06-19T13:50:00.002-07:002017-06-30T08:04:30.085-07:00Get in the bike lane!<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It had to happen sooner or later. When I ride to work on 102 Avenue (07:30ish), rather than crossing the street twice (a potentially <a href="http://globalnews.ca/news/3566298/edmonton-auditor-calls-for-more-follow-up-work-on-crosswalk-safety/">dangerous activity for Edmontonians</a>) and <strike>bumping along</strike> riding on the shared pathway on the north side of the avenue, I usually take the lane and ride on the road. At this time of the day, as at other times of the day when I have ridden on this road, there is not much traffic. Little enough that one lane for the motor vehicles is sufficient, so why not ride my bike in the other lane? Makes sense to me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">But I felt deep down inside that I was being bad -- I mean, really, the city spent all that money and time to make that cute shared pathway on the north side and I'm not using it? Bad girl!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The person who yelled at me today agreed. He was in the one car that was heading west on 102 Avenue. There were no eastbound cars at that time. In other words, except for a single vehicle and my bike, the 4-lane road was empty. But this helpful fellow thought he should offer me some advice. "Get in the bike lane!" he screamed as he passed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">You know what? I'd be happy to get in the bike lane. Only one problem. There is no bike lane.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">When the new bridge was being built, I heard rumours that after construction was finished there would be bike lanes on 102 Avenue. Needless to say, I was looking forward to them. But alas, construction is finished and what cyclists have is not bike lanes, but a shared pathway. On the wrong side of the road for my commute. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Not only that, but the shared pathway has bumps. At every intersection, where the sidewalk material meets asphalt, there is a big bump. When it rains and during the spring thaw, these same spots boast large puddles. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And one more thing: every intersection of the shared pathway has little yield signs directed at cyclists. This means that if there should be a collision between a cyclist and a motorist, there's a good chance the cyclist could be found at fault because she didn't yield. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">All these things combined mean that I prefer to ride on the road. No crossing the street unnecessarily, no bumps, no little yield signs. And oh yes, no need to ride around vehicles stopped across the crosswalks.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I will admit that in the winter the shared pathway was not so bad. The city usually kept it clear of snow. (Well, except for when we had big snowfalls.) It felt safer to ride separated from traffic even if it meant waiting to cross the street twice. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">But when there is no snow or ice on the ground? No question in my mind but that riding on the road is the way to go.</span>Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09045805019491974798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3070944308631854852.post-70642451016878202002017-05-26T14:26:00.001-07:002017-05-26T14:31:30.065-07:00<h2 style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Tahoma, Arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 22px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: top;">
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<span style="background-color: white; color: purple;">Upon a bright and breezy day</span></div>
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When May was young, ah pleasant May! (Christina Rossetti)</div>
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This was Tuesday<span style="font-weight: normal;"> -- a perfect "bright and breezy" May day. The flowers along the shared pathway on 100 Avenue not only look, but smell, heavenly. It was 28 degrees, with not a cloud in the sky.</span></div>
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And then it was Wednesday. <span style="font-weight: normal;">Of course the forecast had been posted a couple of days in advance: heavy rain and strong winds. And this time, the forecast was spot-on. The day began with rain and a brisk northerly wind. I drove into the city, to my usual parking spot, and after I'd parked the car, I briefly wondered if I should have driven a bit further in and parked, say, in Crestwood, or even Glenora. But I had already taken the keys out of the ignition and I didn't feel like starting the car again and re-entering the stream of traffic, so I stayed where I was.</span></div>
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My ride downtown actually wasn't too bad until I hit the second shared pathway -- the new one on 102 Avenue that the city is so proud of. At this point I usually just ride on the road. It is faster and I don't have to worry about those little yield signs and the bumping that occurs at each intersection. But because of the wind and occasional large puddles, I decided to use the pathway. That was a mistake. At each intersection, not only did I have to endure those bumps where the sidewalk meets the pavement, but I also had to ride through big deep puddles. Result: my shoes got wet. Even that might have been okay, however; but when I was crossing the bridge (yes, the one where cyclists are told to dismount) a car passed and splashed me royally. Now my shoes were not wet; they were sodden. I gave up trying to avoid puddles and simply tried to ride as fast as I could the rest of the way. (Fortunately I keep a pair of dry shoes at work.)</div>
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After work, I was offered a ride. "No, thanks," I said. "I don't mind riding in the rain." Ah yes, but what about 100 km/hour winds?<br />
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I set off, wearing my still-soaking shoes from the morning. Again, I didn't worry about pointless things like avoiding puddles; I just pedaled like mad, trying to make the best time possible riding into the wind. When I saw the first downed branch, the thought crossed my mind -- I sure hope one of those doesn't come down on me. But by that time I was committed, so I kept going. </div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;">When I reached 102 Avenue, I briefly considered taking a bus. But then I remembered </span><a href="http://seenfrommybike.blogspot.ca/2015/11/winter-ride-november-24-24-centimeters.html">the reaction of Edmonton bus drivers to the sight of a bicycle</a><span style="font-weight: normal;">, and I decided I would rather bear the wrath of the storm than the wrath of a bus driver. I once again opted for the shared pathway and persevered, sparing but quick glances for an uprooted tree or two and multitudinous branches. </span></div>
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As I approached the point where 102 Avenue meets Stony Plain Road, I saw the most disturbing sight yet -- a felled 4-meter tall evergreen, completely covering the sidewalk and lying on top of a power line. There was even a little box with some wires and stuff hanging out. I steered clear of that and continued on my way, fighting the crosswinds which were threatening to cast me into the traffic lanes. Fortunately, traffic was light, so I was able to make my way unhindered to the bridge that leads to 148 Street. From there, it is about 2.5 km to my parking spot, mostly on the flower-lined shared pathway, so I felt safe enough and finally arrived at my van, drenched but otherwise unharmed. </div>
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A 7.8 km bike ride in a once-every-decade storm!</div>
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Incidentally, this time as I rode past the flowering trees, the line of poetry that came to mind was from a Shakespearean sonnet: "Rough winds doth shake the darling buds of May..." Those buds were shaking big time!</div>
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I'm not sure that riding in that type of a storm was the smartest thing to do, but I don't regret it. My only regret is that I didn't have my GoPro operating.</div>
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Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09045805019491974798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3070944308631854852.post-34405049276140731002017-04-29T09:23:00.000-07:002017-05-12T13:40:07.343-07:00Copenhagen Cyclists in the Spring<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQKwbR0HXYwlDtKIHreX27ewvARoqpFDCxy02qr7GVCK4oofVqyLF61ezKM58YrjtXcUGb_lmJO-Nr7Deyn-KASVH6br6fxP4j5v9hUJ9BEgzYdPu_0gPxWclLVwzQr-Iw_Pvz2bATVMJC/s1600/Me+and+the+Little+Mermaid.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQKwbR0HXYwlDtKIHreX27ewvARoqpFDCxy02qr7GVCK4oofVqyLF61ezKM58YrjtXcUGb_lmJO-Nr7Deyn-KASVH6br6fxP4j5v9hUJ9BEgzYdPu_0gPxWclLVwzQr-Iw_Pvz2bATVMJC/s320/Me+and+the+Little+Mermaid.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">How Lorne Gunter gets to be a columnist for a major Edmonton newspaper is beyond me. I can only hope it's because he is willing to work for food. Oh wait, maybe it's his ability to overlook the obvious: </span><a href="http://www.edmontonsun.com/2017/04/27/gunter-dont-put-bike-lanes-before-bike-culture" style="font-family: "courier new", courier, monospace;"><span style="color: #20124d;">He claims that on his recent visit to Copenhagen, he didn't see any cyclists in the bike lanes</span>. </a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">To put it quite simply: I don't believe him. But wait, maybe that is a tad uncharitable. Maybe he is telling the truth. It's possible that he didn't go outside, since he thought the weather was so formidable. (We're talking 8 degrees Celsius -- that's PLUS 8, not minus 8.) Or maybe he just didn't look around him as he walked along with his jacket's hood obstructing his vision. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">In stating his claim, he is trying to prove a point, summarized in the last line of his op-ed: </span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>Spending millions on bicycle infrastructure cannot create a bike culture where Mother Nature rules against it.</i></span></span><br />
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</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Why do I think I know better than an esteemed columnist?<span style="background-color: white;"> <a href="http://janesworldtravels.blogspot.ca/search/label/Copenhagen"><span style="color: #20124d;">I have visited Copenhagen not once, but twice.</span></a></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">The first time was in early March and the first thing I noticed was all the cyclists. I rented a bike and rode along with them, all over the city. It wasn't exactly warm -- about 3 to 5 degrees Celsius during my 3-day visit -- but the cyclists were definitely out there.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">This statue of King Christian X was one of the sights I rode past. I also rode to the harbour to visit the Little Mermaid.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b style="font-family: "courier new", courier, monospace;">The second time I visited Copenhagen </b><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">was in late April. Again, Mother Nature was doing her best to discourage outdoor activity. It was about 8 degrees, and it was windy and raining rather enthusiastically, which made it feel even colder. </span></span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">But the local cyclists were undaunted. During the morning and afternoon rush hours, the bike lanes were busy, and even in between they were well used.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Not only were there plenty of cyclists out and about, I was struck by the way they were dressed. Some of the women had bare legs or just thin nylons. Some of the riders had bare hands, although most wore what I would consider thin and inadequate gloves. Many had nothing on their heads. Of course, most of them were probably just riding a short distance to work, not spending the whole day riding around, as I was, but still...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><b>So, a word of warning -- just because you read it in the Sun, you shouldn't necessarily believe it. </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i>Above photo: My rental bike from the <a href="https://www.wakeupcopenhagen.dk/hotellerne/koebenhavn/borgergade/#/search">Wakeup Hotel in Copenhagen</a>. At first, I was nervous about parking my bike because I thought I might lose it among all the other bikes (hundreds) that were parked nearby. Fortunately, this bike has some identifying marks -- a bright green "wakeup" stamped on the frame, a green "503" on the back fender, and bright orange front forks.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">The photos below were all taken on my trips to Copenhagen.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>March 5, 2015 - 5 degrees Celsius. You just can't keep those Copenhagen cyclists off the streets!</b></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; text-align: start;">Oh yes, one more thing... Gunther also discusses Amsterdam. I've been there, too, three or four times, and yes, the first time I inadvertently stepped into a bike lane and received hard stares from passing cyclists. But guess what? That happened to me in Vancouver's Stanley Park, too. As Dr. Suess might say: In cars or on bikes; in the rain, in the snow; people are people wherever you go. A bike lane </span><b style="font-family: "courier new", courier, monospace; text-align: start;"><i>is</i></b><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; text-align: start;"> for bikes, after all. </span></div>
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Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09045805019491974798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3070944308631854852.post-48433160619979973732017-01-14T08:50:00.000-08:002017-01-14T09:06:13.681-08:00Back to work<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">It was with a sinking heart that I looked at the forecast for Monday, January 9th -- the first day of our winter session. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i>Minus 30 windchill. Three to seven centimeters of snow. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">I considered taking the bus instead of my usual park and ride (my bike) commute, but the bus from Spruce Grove to Edmonton isn't exactly a dream come true either, so I chose the bike.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">I parked in Crestwood and rode <b><i>to</i></b> work without a great deal of difficulty. I must admit, I did use sidewalks in places. If the city ever decides to do proper snow removal, sidewalk riding in winter will not be necessary, but until then I will just have to squash down those feelings of shame and ride with confidence on the sidewalks. I have a speech all ready to go in case I get stopped by a cop with nothing better to do than bother people riding bikes on the sidewalk.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">As I said, the morning ride was not bad. I wore gore-tex mitts that I "borrowed" from my third son, along with wool gloves, and I didn't even need hand warmers. </span><br />
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102 Avenue Multi-use Trail a.k.a. "bike path"</h3>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new", courier, monospace;">The ride back to the car after work was another story. Normally it takes me less than half an hour, but this time it took almost an hour. I had to walk my bike a good part of the way, through ankle-deep loose snow. (see photo on left)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new", courier, monospace;">I was just thankful I had parked in Crestwood and not Glenwood, where I park when the weather is good.</span><br />
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<b><br /></b><b>This bridge is troubled waters, so to speak, for cyclists and pedestrians</b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Tuesday I took the bus, figuring the streets and shared pathways would probably not be cleared yet. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Wednesday, I rode again. And again, the ride to work was pretty decent. I tried 102 Avenue, and except for the piles of loose snow here and there along the way, that was okay. And a tailwind of 30-50 km/hour is always nice. It was also quite a bit warmer than the previous two days. Ah, but on the way home, that same lovely tailwind was a headwind. And by that time, there was drifted snow in places, making that ride colder and a little less pleasant.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">As always, though, I arrived at the car feeling good about the ride.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Thursday, we were back to minus 30 -- or more. Some of the reports said minus 35 to 40. I parked in Glenora, near the ravine this time, feeling uncertain about the cold and the drifted snow. This was a good decision. I used handwarmers inside the mittens, but by the time I got to work, my thumbs were feeling it. I wore my balaclava and my big warm scarf, so my face was OK, but I don't know how it would have been to ride much farther. This time the wind was from the east, so I had the headwind riding to work and a bit of a tailwind most of the way back to the car. And thus ends another week on the bike. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">With warmer days in the forecast and increasing hours of daylight, I'm anticipating some good rides ahead. Now, if only the city would decide to maintain the roads... Maybe someday.</span><br />
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Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09045805019491974798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3070944308631854852.post-56637048461311999982016-12-11T13:05:00.001-08:002017-01-14T09:08:17.255-08:00so far this winter<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I haven't been blogging much this year, but now that winter has hit in full force, I have a few photos and thoughts.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiprv0nI9NCjMSLI_0IFjoahroEjkqHT0w1-RGbhJe9d391oSwWpSG09pXK0JJbKAV6jyPfM75M5u0E2YpEfeDocAfu5UEbeKzyKKwxkAEHgvntIhFl4o6FfzUiw2ge0m8RE-Yr7nSjrZOD/s1600/More+bikes+than+cars+SNOW+Nov+2016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiprv0nI9NCjMSLI_0IFjoahroEjkqHT0w1-RGbhJe9d391oSwWpSG09pXK0JJbKAV6jyPfM75M5u0E2YpEfeDocAfu5UEbeKzyKKwxkAEHgvntIhFl4o6FfzUiw2ge0m8RE-Yr7nSjrZOD/s640/More+bikes+than+cars+SNOW+Nov+2016.jpg" width="640" /></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This first photo, of Ravine Drive, was taken towards the end of November, the morning after our first real snowfall. It's a bit hard to see, but there were more bike tire tracks than car tire tracks in the fresh snow. </span><br />
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<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzNsrPr02MnRHwkWkNOpn-_KApoRPB9-I-obyjrOBB24rUpFIUdK4ySqrdaT_SXdrSFt_81GsJ7H0SYJ5tNCoWOYkyiydg0f8Ul1DPpf6yQH-KWYdtsQcDPe2_u9KN_yT_5GhhrWdMMicg/s1600/Bikes+and+footprints+100+Avenue+snow+Nov+2016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzNsrPr02MnRHwkWkNOpn-_KApoRPB9-I-obyjrOBB24rUpFIUdK4ySqrdaT_SXdrSFt_81GsJ7H0SYJ5tNCoWOYkyiydg0f8Ul1DPpf6yQH-KWYdtsQcDPe2_u9KN_yT_5GhhrWdMMicg/s640/Bikes+and+footprints+100+Avenue+snow+Nov+2016.jpg" width="360" /></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">And on the 100th Avenue shared pathway, the bike tracks mixed with the foot prints show that lots of people were getting to their destination without the aid of cars.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I took these photos when the temperatures were still mild -- in the single digits or low teens. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Since then, things have changed. Every day last week the temperature was around minus 20 C, with wind chills of -26 to -30 C. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I continued to ride, although I did park closer in -- in Crestwood instead of Glenwood, which cuts about 2 km off my ride.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">With several layers on my body and legs, a balaclava, my lined winter helmet and a warm scarf on top, and two layers of wool socks in my bulky winter boots, I was warm enough, and as always, so happy to be riding instead of driving. </span><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">I haven't stopped for photos, but maybe this week I'll try to do that.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We have moved our ESL school to a new location, a little farther away than before, so I've been taking a different route -- along 102 Avenue. Once again I am astonished at the number of stop signs and the long red light on this designated bike route. Is it a deliberate plot to discourage people from cycling? Who knows?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I have noticed that this year there seem to be more winter cyclists than ever. Maybe the mild start to winter made people more interested in continuing to ride? Whatever the reason, it is noteworthy, and we can only hope that the city will notice and respond by maintaining bike routes properly and creating more bike infrastructure.</span>Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09045805019491974798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3070944308631854852.post-68380357008291827982016-05-24T17:28:00.004-07:002016-12-11T11:53:21.499-08:00Be careful with that camera!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiPJT-n6GWOlznow8AXECATsor6fahYNKt4N7UaJshYcMTGmB6nonVF52PfzGkDdqM9dAMMk_OB6Ot4ZfO2d-6eCfWoRCjD7_Xv2rJfQq21XzPqjk4fne3sJ7w9nsYwChESq4k8ImpZsCK/s1600/20160518_072304+Rabbit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiPJT-n6GWOlznow8AXECATsor6fahYNKt4N7UaJshYcMTGmB6nonVF52PfzGkDdqM9dAMMk_OB6Ot4ZfO2d-6eCfWoRCjD7_Xv2rJfQq21XzPqjk4fne3sJ7w9nsYwChESq4k8ImpZsCK/s400/20160518_072304+Rabbit.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<h3 style="text-align: center;">
In which the poor hare pictured above almost lands me in it.</h3>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">On my way to work, I saw a bunny behind the fence nibbling on grass and looking pretty adorable. I stopped my bike and took a photo. I did notice that there was a police officer in an unmarked SUV stopped nearby, and he seemed to be eyeing me suspiciously. But I thought I was probably imagining it, so I blithely rode east on 100 Avenue, enjoying the sunshine and balmy temperature.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Crossing 149 Street, I entered the Crestwood neighbourhood and rode towards the little bridge that traverses the ravine. Just as I approached the bridge, a marked EPS SUV drove along the road and honked. At me? Surely not, I thought. There was a guy sitting on the bench, possibly loitering, and I thought maybe the honk was intended for him. Anyway, I told myself, if they are after me, they will come around onto Stony Plain road and find me. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Ha ha ha, right?</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Wrong. Next thing I knew, as I was proceeding west on Stony Plain Road, the marked SUV drove across my path, effectively cutting me off. So, of course I stopped. Two brawny EPS constables debarked and one of them said, "Would you mind stepping off your bike?"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>(As if I were planning to use the bike as a getaway vehicle, or perhaps a weapon!)</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"What's going on?" I asked, as I obeyed his instructions.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"What's your name, Ma'am?"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Remembering my rights, I demurred. "What's this about?" </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"Do you have ID on you?"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"What's going on?"</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Finally he coughed up: "We had a report that a female cyclist was taking photos of police vehicles." </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">(<i>Um, yes, the rabbit mentioned above was behind a fence at the police station</i>.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I'm afraid I laughed. "No," I assured him. "I was taking a picture of a rabbit."</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"Rabbits are OK," he said and asked me to show him the photo. I complied. </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"You can go," he said. "Have a good ride."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">As I started on my way again, I noticed out of the corner of my eye that the police officer I had seen earlier, in the unmarked SUV, was driving alongside. Apparently he had also been in hot pursuit of the female cyclist. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I've told a few people about this experience, and everyone has the same reaction: </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">What the <i>#@$+^</i> would be wrong with taking photos of police vehicles?? After all, if I had a GoPro mounted on my bike or a dashcam in the car, I might film a few police cars here and there as I went about my business...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">A few theories have been proposed: 1) They thought I was Middle Eastern (<i>when I lived in Turkey, I was often mistaken for a Turk</i>) and hired by a certain organization to take photos which would be used for nefarious purposes. 2) They thought I was a nice-looking woman and wanted to check me out. If so, I hope they were really disappointed when they got a close-up view and realized I was probably old enough to be their mom. 3) They are simply not the brightest bulbs in the EPS chandelier. </span></div>
Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09045805019491974798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3070944308631854852.post-17890665847230988172016-04-15T09:48:00.003-07:002016-04-15T09:50:10.522-07:00Yelled at <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I have been commuting by bicycle year-round for 5 years now. Many other urban cyclists complain about drivers yelling rudely at them, but I have been largely spared that indignity.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Last summer, I got yelled at once, when riding on 104 Avenue. It was my sixth week of riding that same route, to my temporary summer teaching assignment near 118 Avenue and 82 Street. I had ridden the same route all six weeks with no complaints from drivers. But apparently this woman was having a bad day. In her defense, there was a truck stopped in the right lane, forcing everyone -- including cyclists -- to go around, and then she came upon me, a cyclist who dared to ride on the road and inconvenience her. She screamed at me: "Get on the sidewalk, you fricking idiot!" I laughed. First of all, she clearly doesn't know the traffic laws, making me smarter than her. And secondly, she couldn't even use a real swear word. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I have to admit that the very next day I switched my route to 102 Avenue, which is a designated bike route. I know, I know...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Well, last week, I got yelled at again. This was on 103 Avenue, just west of 124 Street. This time a guy called out, "Socialist!" </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Well, now that you mention it...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">So, that's it for the yelling. I have had other people speak to me -- most notably, one older man told me he liked my winter helmet; another man said he appreciated my lights -- and of course, there is the occasional wolf whistle. Other than that, I have been allowed to go my way in peace. Nice.</span>Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09045805019491974798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3070944308631854852.post-68631439534750007552016-04-15T09:10:00.000-07:002016-04-30T15:30:58.502-07:00Bike Lane Junior<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I didn't know about this Edmonton bike lane until recently. During the winter, it is often too icy/slushy/snowy/unpredictable for my liking in the River Valley, so I ride on the city streets. Of course even on the streets there is plenty of ice, snow, slush and unpredictability, but I figure that if I have a serious crash, at least I am close to help.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmSbSNz3GTqRzn_bGOAR7_lOcNk-da3cjC0g_rxXSyrzqXNWhJMhMDOVaoFR7RVfQ7j9ln5oRfnvinYEr2GNWU9gPlXkuYJ4-Ez6iAkgOUBf_TOaO6WMLj3TfYW5MtQbWzj7uE9nSl8c7C/s1600/BikeLane+Junior.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmSbSNz3GTqRzn_bGOAR7_lOcNk-da3cjC0g_rxXSyrzqXNWhJMhMDOVaoFR7RVfQ7j9ln5oRfnvinYEr2GNWU9gPlXkuYJ4-Ez6iAkgOUBf_TOaO6WMLj3TfYW5MtQbWzj7uE9nSl8c7C/s400/BikeLane+Junior.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Bike Lane Junior</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Anyway, so that is how I became acquainted with Bike Lane Junior. Until this year, when I rode from the west end to downtown I used 102 Avenue, which is marked as a bike route. I have never been fond of this route, however, as it has an overabundance of stop signs and, at 116 Street, one of the longest red lights in the city.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">One day this winter, I followed another cyclist who took 103 Avenue instead. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I (and obviously many others) find this a much better route for cycling -- less traffic, fewer stop signs, and no traffic light. In fact at 116 Street, there is a push-button cross walk. No more waiting in the cold for that light to change.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Also on 103 Avenue is this bike lane. Initially I was going to call it Baby Bike Lane, but then I realized that the term "baby" implies that growth is going to occur. I don't think so. Hence, the new improved moniker: Bike Lane Junior. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The first time I encountered it, I wasn't sure what to think. After riding several blocks along a road with no reference to bicycles, suddenly before me was a sign indicating that a bike lane was beginning. Wow, great, I thought -- a bike lane the rest of the way. But, um, no. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The bike lane begins about 15 meters from the corner and ends at the corner. That's right, the entire bike lane is about 15 meters long. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I know it's a bike lane, though. Not only is there a sign telling me this, but the pavement is just like the normal Edmonton bike lane -- pitted, cracked, sporting potholes. During the winter a large patch of ice covers most of the surface. And now in spring, the coating of gravel on this stretch of road is further confirmation that this is our fine city's idea of a lane just for bikes.</span>Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09045805019491974798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3070944308631854852.post-84044295970033169002016-04-09T11:10:00.001-07:002016-04-15T08:57:35.499-07:00A Cyclist to Emulate<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_CBOUpqTNWk" width="560"></iframe>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">One of my Facebook friends (an old friend from university days) recently posted this story from Pakistan. As soon as I saw him riding his bike, my interest was piqued. Now, of course I know he probably cycles out of necessity, not as a choice, but he makes it look like a perfectly normal mode of transportation -- which, duh, it is.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The <a href="http://interactive.aljazeera.com/aje/shorts/pakistan-children-education/">Al-Jazeera story</a> about this man, Master Ayub, is so inspiring.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I think my favourite line from the story is this one: </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "lato" , sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 22px;">“My family were staying in the village and I was here in the city alone, so I wanted to do something in my spare time that would be of some use,” Ayub told Al Jazeera.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "lato" , sans-serif; line-height: 22px;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22px;">Too many men on their own in the big city would find other ways to pass the time; this guy starts a school for poor children. Awesome!!</span></span>Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09045805019491974798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3070944308631854852.post-32377569253230580722016-04-09T10:24:00.001-07:002016-04-09T10:24:20.702-07:00a hare-owing experience<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It has been a while since I last posted. The winter just ended was so mild and the riding was so (relatively) easy that there was not a lot to brag or complain about! Thus ends my 5th year of winter bicycle commuting.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And now... it is spring! The grass is greener every day, and every morning on my way to work I see at least one jack rabbit?... snowshoe hare? I have been told authoritatively by various people that they are one or the other, so I'm not sure which, but to merge accuracy and simplicity, I will henceforth refer to the creatures as "hares."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I love seeing these animals! It thrills me to know that a not particularly intelligent wild animal has figured out how to co-exist with people in a big city. I have actually seen a hare stop and look both ways before crossing a busy street!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">At this time of year, these bunnies are not exactly Easter-card perfect in appearance. Their pristine white winter coats have given way to a patchwork of greyish-brown and a sort of dirty yellowish-white. Even so, they are as cheerful and adventurous and delightful as ever.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">But on Thursday morning I had a less than pleasant encounter with a hare. I was riding along the shared pathway on 100th Avenue when I spooked a hare that had been lurking in the bushes. It jumped out onto the pathway, panicked when it saw my bike (even though I slowed down dramatically to allow it to get out of the way) and ran into the road, where it immediately got hit by a car. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It was horrible and much more disturbing than I could have imagined. I went through the day knowing I had been an unwitting accessory to murder.</span><br />
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<br />Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09045805019491974798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3070944308631854852.post-59186453793807597992015-12-17T06:05:00.003-08:002015-12-17T06:05:54.879-08:00light in the darkness<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I'm sure the people who put lights on their evergreen trees are not thinking about winter bicycle commuters, but they definitely make our ride a little more enjoyable!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Today I stopped to snap photos of some of the bright spots along my route.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEhuN9z-xMgI68xjubVdBS8tENlygi4nAo6iNnTDaMbwVQfSqYhnkpGw7PzpxevjkW8I0YKuqYdM4sbX7QvZvWEBTxjX-3uRD9frHPcaPbzt9gaAUyPM_7BCv9ATpuh5kncZenD1pHQSkV/s1600/Dec+16+lights+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEhuN9z-xMgI68xjubVdBS8tENlygi4nAo6iNnTDaMbwVQfSqYhnkpGw7PzpxevjkW8I0YKuqYdM4sbX7QvZvWEBTxjX-3uRD9frHPcaPbzt9gaAUyPM_7BCv9ATpuh5kncZenD1pHQSkV/s640/Dec+16+lights+2.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br />Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09045805019491974798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3070944308631854852.post-67133192983259606342015-12-14T18:13:00.003-08:002015-12-14T18:13:59.004-08:00Monday morning blues -- problem solved<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Normally I like Mondays. I've never really understood people who don't. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">To me, Monday is the start of a new week, a day full of possibilities.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">But I have to confess that I felt a little different this Monday. Fresh snow (maybe 3-5 cm) and a temperature well below zero made me wonder what riding conditions would be like. Never mind driving conditions. And sure enough, the drive into the west end was s-l-o-w, thanks to a crash on the Yellowhead, which meant that traffic was diverted to 16A. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Running a bit late and fearing that the shared pathway on 100 Avenue would not be cleared, I decided to park in Crestwood.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;">The bridge leading to Stony Plain Road was cleared right down to the boards -- a good start to my ride -- but it pretty much went downhill after that. A few sidewalks had been cleared, but the streets and any sidewalks under the city's purview were in rough shape. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;">So I decided to cheer myself up by snapping photos of my bike at the bright spots along the way -- like these three trees on 132 Street:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">and one of the tall, tall trees (there are two) at the High Street shopping centre:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I ended my commute by doing something I almost never (well, really absolutely never) do: riding on the sidewalk, on the wrong side of the street. This sidewalk was so beautifully clear of snow that I simply couldn't resist and I have to confess that I didn't even feel one bit guilty. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">My commute today was a little slow and a little frustrating -- and the ride back to the car after work was slightly worse, thanks to warmer temperatures -- but still I end my day thankful for the exercise, glad I can ride instead of driving all the way, and warmed by the thought of those cheerfully-lit trees that brighten my path!</span></div>
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Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09045805019491974798noreply@blogger.com0