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!

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!