A busy summer and a NB-NS tour

It's been a pretty wonderful summer this year! Lots of sun, lots of distance logged in on the bike, and --last but not least-- a lot of big wins for cycling in Halifax. 

The Crosstown Connector, Windsor Street's beautiful bike lane, has a bit of an upcoming expansion in the Dalhousie separated bike lane. From there, it's just a hop, skip and jump to the Hollis Street bike lane in downtown Halifax. It's getting to the point that if you live in the North End or West End, you could hop onto a bike lane which will take you all the way to the universities in the South End, or to work Downtown. Hospital workers that live on the peninsula can also crossover from Windsor Street to the bike lane on Bell Road to get to work at both the Halifax Infirmary, Emergency Department or the Victoria General Hospital sites. Though it's true both the Dal bike lane and the Hollis street bike lane have hit last minute speed-bumps, I'm pretty convinced that they'll be started in the spring, at the very latest. 

As for myself, I'll continue biking during the winter in a commuter capacity and will try to keep up with this blog. I'll start likely begin reducing the distance I do per month leading up to November, when I start switching over the the indoor trainer --something that will be a little more tough to do with a smaller apartment. 

But before all this comes to pass, I've been planning a season-topping ride from Sussex, NB back to the shores of Halifax, NS. A ride of nearly 400km over four days. Starting in Sussex early next week, I'll be staying at a friend's place in Moncton after the first day of riding, then switch over to B&B's in Lorneville, NS and Truro on days two and three before grinding the rest of the way home on day four.

Most of my summer feels like it's been leading up to this. After having some vacation-timing troubles this month, I've been lucky to line this up, leaving myself with time to increase the length of my rides. Right now I'm more than comfortable riding a 100km day going between 27-30kph. Helping me get to this point was my season opener tour of Chester-Windsor-Halifax (about 200km). Then a couple weeks ago I busted out another 180km trek to Middle Musquodoboit and back (out through Lawrencetown and back through Enfeild --See pics below). This Sussex-Halifax trip will be the largest I've done in such a short amount of time, so it's going to be a real challenge for me. 

One of the largest challenges of the trip isn't really the distance at all, but controlling my pace. I'm usually a big fan of putting my head down and really pushing those pedals in order to go as fast as I can. On rural roads, I can reach and hold over 30kph. Hills are usually a pain, especially being a stately 200lbs, but I'm starting to tackle them with more gusto. The route I've mapped has a great amount of flat road, with a couple larger climbs sprinkled in each day --especially on the approach to Truro. Most of the time I'm following the shoreline along the Northumberland Straight, so the scenic aspect of this route should be super-enjoyable. I'll keep you guys posted and try to put up pictures as I go along. 

So do you all have season-ending rides you'd like to share? Leave your notes in the comments below!

Behind St. Pats

Just a quick update: The throughway behind St. Pats former high school that connects Vernon St to Windsor St via St Vincent's Nursing Home is paved and coming together pretty well. The next step in that area is to pave the route from the end of Quingate Pl. all the way behind St. Pats and to Windsor St. 

Pretty good work by Halifax construction workers. Despite the signage, I've been able to cut through St Vincent's this whole time, as have hundreds of other bikers and walkers. I've never had any of the workers get in a tiff about it either. I can't wait to use the finished product!

In slightly more disheartening news, the MacDonald bridge bike lane officially closed on June 29th, and taxiing bikes across the bridge has hit an impasse already. According to CBC Reporter Brett Ruskin, a bike fell off the shuttle trailer while proceeding across the bridge. That really sucks, and I hope the owner gets some sort of help from HHB to restore his ride. With that said, it's pretty mind-boggling that the Halifax-Dartmouth Ferry Service hasn't capitalized on this by offering a reduced-fee or free tolls for cyclists that use said ferries! I personally would love a free-return ticket program for cyclists. It might be an avenue for the ferry service to pick up new recreational riders! I never used to use the ferry at the end of my rides when I first started cycling in Halifax, but having given it a try last year, I look forward to it at the end of each of my rides. It makes for a good cool-down period before making it back home.

So to Halifax Transit: Give 'em a taste, and they'll come back! Just make sure to get better bike racks on the ferries, or allow people to sit and hold onto their bikes while crossing. 

In any case, I'm sure we're going to be hearing of more growing pains with this whole bridge-crossing issue for cyclists over the next year and a half. 

It's looking like an exceptional week for cycling! Be sure to get out there and have some long rides you guys!

Halifax Bike Week and Chester-Windsor-Halifax mini-tour

Another Bike Week has come and gone, and with it, summer has officially started --in my mind at least. Actually over the past three years or so, I've noticed that Halifax's official week dedicated to the bicycle has been the harbinger of warmer weather and sunny skies in Nova Scotia. With another bike lane being established in a high-use area --our new protected bike lane along University Blvd.-- and our existing lane along Windsor St. seeing sustained and growing usage, I'm feeling a surge in bicycle use by people looking to transit into the peninsula without relying on the automobile.

But if you stopped to ask me how my bike week turned out, sadly with moving to a new apartment and unpacking and trying to organize my life from a series of 40 boxes, I was unable to attend any events. To make up for this, I took three days to grind out a ride from Halifax to Chester, then Windsor, then back to Halifax, making a mini-tour of about 200km.

Roughly the Halifax-Chester-Windsor-Halifax Route

Overall this was an awesome idea, and was probably the best road trip I've done in the past several years! Not only did the distance feel perfect, I performed a lot better than I thought I would! Though a lot of this could be attributed to using the indomitable Defy 2 with an Axiom Flip-Flop seatpost rack on the back and Axiom's Paddywagon trunk-bag to haul a couple changes of clothes, ratty shoes, snacks and a good book. 

In any case, with that 200km under my belt, I find I'm looking for a slightly longer route to try later this summer! With a couple friends around Moncton and Truro, I was thinking that linking up a route from Moncton-Amherst-Truro-Halifax would be a great challenge! Until then, I hope you guys enjoy some photos of my trip and the inns I stayed at during my ride!

Ready for Rain on Wednesday, June 10

Checking out the bar, Fo'c'sle at my first stop in Chester, NS

Staying at the Mecklenburg Inn in Chester, NS

My suite in the Mecklenburg Inn (I was upgraded to a larger room)

Waterfront shot in Chester, NS

Just chillin' by the Docks

Suiting up for Day 2: Chester to Windsor

Clockmaker's Inn in Windsor, NS

Clockmaker's Inn in Windsor, NS

Winding road leading back home to Halifax, NS

Tunnel of trees while climbing Mt Uniacke

Total trip distance!

Dalhousie is a Go and Possible Three-Day Tour

So after the dust settled, and after a statement from Counc. Karsen along the lines that he supports cycling, yet doesn't support cycling, yet he has some Scandanavian blood within his family which justifies everything, the Dalhousie Bike Lane project is a go! Being at City Hall for the big vote was both exciting --mainly seeing the support for cycling in the room and being the first folks to know this project was approved-- and disappointing --hearing old arguments from business proponents and 'champions' of the disabled, plus the defeatism tagged to the whole project. It was also a relief to see David MacIsaac (TDM Staff) swoop into action when some of the more obscure planning/design questions flew out of left-field.

On the other side of the coin, Counc. McClusky was a giant pain, going as far as stating the oxygen requirements of a below-knee amputee is significantly higher than someone else with all their limbs and digits, therefore the entire bike lane should be scrapped. 

Side note: Physical activity is a major factor in preventing Type 2 Diabetes and Peripheral Vascular Disease, both of which commonly lead to amputation. 

Setting that aside, being in the healthcare biz I can tell you McClusky's statement is entirely untrue and rediculous. The biggest issue I have with McClusky's assertion is this: differently abled people are not unable people! This was an issue that reared its ugly head during the Windsor/Agricola St bike lane plans as well, and it is sickening that we continue to subtly short-change the disabled community in this manner --guising it as a defence of their right to accessibility.

In any case, shortly after McClusky's moaning about the situation for the disabled and the fate of the Dawgfather (fun fact: nothing is going to happen to Dawgfather; he'll just have to park 10-20 feet farther down the street), there was a sudden lull in council chambers, and the vote happened quickly and without much fan-fare. A few sighs of relief for the four or so cyclists in the audience. Dawgfather left in disgust.

With the cycling season in full swing, I've been looking to test myself on a mini-tour to Chester, Windsor and back over three days. Totally doable for me, physically. On the mental end though, I find that as I get older, I'm becoming more and more of a cranky traveller. So if anything, this is designed to knock around the cobwebs and engage in some mid-distance, multi-day riding --mainly to get used to or get rid of being cranky about it. 

I'll be sure to post pictures in the future!

If you have any advice, or want to share what you love/hate about touring, leave it in the comments below!

Huge Changes to University Ave. and History Repeating

Well it's happening again: Another roundabout installation on the corners of North Park and Cogswell --and Trollope, and Ahern. Looking back on how much smoother the roundabout  at North Park and Agri has made to everyone's commutes, this change to the roads around the commons is exciting. It's also ending a two year long planning process on how to improve traffic flow in the North End at two of the most ridiculous intersections known in Atlantic Canada!

This makes me happy in a couple ways, one of which is that this city has performed a study of the area, came up with a solution --albeit a little controversial when first promoted-- and followed-through on their plans! All to often, I find myself gobsmacked at Council's preference to perform study after study without taking the strong leadership role that this city needs: making and following-through on a decision. Though it's been nearly a full election cycle since his departure, I think this lack of decision-making is something identifiable moreso with the Kelly-era --though I've been seeing council make more bold decisions as of late, be they for better or worse. 

Although there is speculation now that former mayor Peter Kelley is considering a return to the Mayors seat in the next election. **audible groan**

Speaking of following-through on reports and studies, Dalhousie is getting the Green-Light on installing protected bikeways down the length of University Ave! This little piece of planning is a story akin to the little engine that could. Not only did this project receive rebukes from the Rebecca Cohn crowd, but also the differently-abled crowd and even the Dawgfather himself! Despite taking the beating of a lifetime, it has made it's way to council for approval.

So mark it on your calendars, little ones! Bike Lane vote on Tuesday, May 12th starting sometime after 1:30pm! Head on over to Grand-Parade and sit in on what could be our first protected bike lane in Peninsular Halifax! 

Although this in itself is great news, it's slated as a two-year trial at the moment, which means we'll have to use it and promote the hell out of it in order to keep it. Also, with the next municipal election set for next year, I can see this being a small to medium impact election-issue for this district and the Mayoral run. HRM also reserves the right to terminate the trial at any time if it sees fit. 

There's a lot on the line, folks! Write in to your Councillor, and/or the Mayor, and/or the Province (they're the ones footing the bulk of the bill along with Dalhousie) when the lines are painted and the bollards are planted, letting them know how much you love this bike-lane and how much you love biking in HRM!

Spring Season False-Start, Halifax Ramblers sighting and HCC Activities

I've been way-layed! After a super-enjoyable initial ride last week, I threw out my back pretty significantly. In healthcare, this isn't a particularly rare injury --especially seeing as how the average weight of our patient populations is rising annually. So with a solid knot in the lower left portion of my back, and extending around that same side, I've been out of commission until today. 

And so --being woken up at 6:30am by my total ass-hat of an upstairs neighbour-- I decided to roll out of bed, have a quick bite to eat, and try to pound-out the Waverly-Loop once more. The morning was pretty chilly --about 2℃. With moderate headwinds, the ride didn't warm up much until I got away from the myriad of frozen lakes, ponds and harbours that dot the HRM. With my back holding it's own at the 30km mark, I steady increased my pace down Waverly on the way back home, and saw one of the first sure-fire signs of spring's arrival: the Halifax Ramblers were out in full-force heading outbound on Waverly Rd., I'm assuming just starting a 100km+ weekend ride. Bringing up the rear was the legend himself, Bob White; an incredible advocate for cycling safety and infrastructure improvement in HRM. Bob's also one of the kindest and funniest guys I know. While working together as Halifax Cycling Coalition (HCC) board members, I more than once shared a chuckle at a well-timed pun slung by White in the middle of sometimes dreary meetings. 

The HCC continues to be a hive full of busy-bees! After challenging Haligonians to participate in 30-days of actively commuting to work via bicycle, the HCC has now shifted focus on the ongoing debacle that is the on-again-off-again Hollis St. Bike lane. 

One thing I'm not sure I'm completely onside-with is an HCC focused NACTO street designing seminar on June 12. Although I'm totally down with diversifying on-street travel options, I feel as though not sharing the planning process of this event with an HRM walking or transit group puts a lot of pressure on a cycling advocacy group to promote transit and walking --which is a tad beyond the objectives of the HCC. 

I may be splitting hairs here. Tell me how you guys feel about this. Leave some comments, y'all!

First ride of the Season and the CMWC

Hey All!

With the onset of Spring comes the start of cycling season! After reading about other folks staking their claim to the Waverly, Sambro and even Peggy's Cove Loops, so did I decide to strike out and start my cycling season in earnest! I quickly found out that although my cycle-trainer did keep me in pretty good shape, having my lower wisdom teeth out in late March really slowed down my metabolism just prior to a crucial time to get revved back up for biking. 

Be that as it may, I prepped my bike for a ride today and struck out along the Waverly loop. The roads were actually in great shape for it, and despite a "beyond the wall" coolness from the end of Rocky Lake Rd onwards, the weather and temp were awesome!

The lake at the corner of Rocky Lake and Waverly.

 Despite the great ride, I have a couple nit-picky objections with a few things:

1) Despite the super-suave looking interior of Alderney Landing in Dartmouth... 

The door to actually get in the joint is kind of tucked away behind the building (opposite the train-tracks), and the side door --which was the only access site to the waiting area last summer-- is totally locked! A little confusing, and seedy for people who don't use the ferry very often.

Also, I've never been a fan of the on-boat bike racks they have there, and these new ones are no exception. Last year, I used to tuck my bike in between aisles with me and hold onto it during the harbour crossing, but on several occasions received harsh talkings-to while doing so. I've since given up the fight and stuck my bike in the loose-goosey bike-racks they have on board... but I still don't like it!

2) Something else that really bothers me is that the Historic Properties just North of the Halifax Ferry Terminal have really beef'ed up their any-cycling behaviour and are diligently turning cyclists away from the property. I asked one security guard, since he wouldn't let me in to get a post-ride coffee from TIBS, if he would watch my bike if I left it by the door. He refused, saying "Well I'll get in trouble if it's stolen while I'm looking after it." 

Well yeah, you're damn right you will. The point of me asking you to look after it is to ensure it doesn't get stolen. You are security after all. 

In the end, a construction worker offered to look after it while he was taking his break. I offered to pay for his next coffee when I got back, but he declined. Totally classy move, that! Unlike the official, paid security guy for the property. 

3) Lastly, surprise multi-use trail closure! I actually hadn't heard of this one, but be advised that the trail along Barrington is closed for an undetermined amount of time! It looks like they may be laying some pipe down under/adjacent to the trail. Not sure how long this will take.

In other, intercontinental news: my good friends at Jambi-Jambi have been covering the Cycle-Messenger World Championship in Australia! They've thrown together some great videos and posted a lot of pictures of the event here, here, and here. They also regularly post about their experiences cycle-courier'ing in Sydney. Definitely a blog to bookmark as part of your "state of cycling around the world" reading list!

In any case, put your heads down and power-through, Lovelies!

Work-life balance and Montreal trip

It's been a while since I posted on here. Apologies to any frequenteurs and weekly readers of the site. 

The thing is this: working in the healthcare industry has it's ups and downs when it comes to workload and acuity. There are maybe two to three times per year when work switches from a somewhat manageable workload and acuity to a whole other beast that I call "Work 'till it Hurts" mode. During this time, it's ridiculously difficult to drum up enough energy to get anything done in your personal life. Although every unit in our hospital system switches into these modes, I suspect that my unit in particular sees more of these acuity spikes annually, and they tend to last longer than other units --likely due to the nature of our surgeries and our major lack of resources.

With any luck, compressing the province's nine health authorities into three will open up some funding that has been previously locked into the administrative level of our healthcare system. One prime example is the CEO of Capital Health, who earns more annually than the Prime Minister of Canada (over $300,000). Of course the other directors, VPs and CEOs that get the axe will probably be getting severance packages over several years. Therefore the savings that we'll get from cutting the fat won't be available for another three years (my guess) after the amalgamation.

Moving right along...

Winter is probably my worst season for slacking off, and watching the inches around my waistline increase substantially! The result is that, come spring, I'm completely deconditioned. In order to prevent this, I was able to snatch up a fluid-trainer from MEC.

This little fella has been excellent at keeping the ol' legs strong, and the belly-girth under control! I would definitely recommend it to anyone thinking of investing in bike-related, winter fitness equipment. Also, I think if this is your first trainer and you're used to throwing down some pretty long distance rides during the summer/fall seasons, a fluid-trainer is the way to go. Haven't been hearing such great things when it comes to air-trainers (not enough resistance), and magnetic ones can be pretty expensive and clunky. 

I was also able to head out to Montreal recently to check out one of our larger Canadian cities, and also see how the bike infra is treated over the winter months. 

Great snow clearance of a separated bike lane.

To be honest, I expected a lot more from such a large city. Dedicated bike lanes were really nice to see, but a fair amount of the time they were snowed under or were really chopped up by icy patches that were over two-inches thick. In fact, even the sidewalks were in really rough shape. I was hoping to head out for a run at least once during my time there, but the conditions made that idea totally impractical. In any case, I'll probably try to head out there in the summer to get a good balance of what the city has to offer during the warmer months.

There's a bike lane under there somewhere...

Brutal for pedestrians as well.

Just a few more photos of the trip. Pretty great Metro system! Busses worked great with Metro timings if you needed to go multi-modal with your trip. 

I'll try to be posting weekly again. Don't expect much considering the season. It's kind of a head-down-power-through paradigm out there right now!