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!

Valley Loop, Recharging, Jobs

Ever feel like you're being watched?

These gals were pretty interested when I went by the other day just outside of Port Williams. They started walking in my direction when I went by, so I went back and took some pics. Mainly becaue I grew up in Sussex, and find cows to be pretty neat.

Natures Rorschach cards.

My route was nearly 40km. I'd love to be able to know exactly how long I went and how fast and how long it took me, but some asshole ripped my bike-computer off my ride while I had it parked just outside of Bike Again a few weeks ago. But the route is below.

So I've been at the valley for the past two weeks now. Its nice to recharge the batteries for a while. Getting a lot of jogging and cycling done actually. Right now however, I am chomping at the bit to get back to the city and dig my heels into cycling issues again!

I've been to a couple interviews in the past week as well. I have a job --albeit tentatively-- at Shannex here in the Valley (nursing home). I also went for an interview at the Victoria General site in the city on a unit I would like to work at. I'm really hoping I can land the latter and move back to Halifax ASAP! Fingers crossed, but not very hopeful.

But I will keep this one short. Keep both wheels on the ground, folks!

Sunday Rides, Parade of Lights

Went out to check out the Parade of Lights last night with Jables and her family. It was pretty cool. I was thrilled to see there were two sections with a sci-fi theme (Hali-Con and Strange Adventures). Great times. To the person dressed as Princess Leah: I would totally fight through the dangerous swamps of Dagobah just to see a sliver of your cleavage!

I'll leave you with a picture of the money-float.

Went on a whicked bike ride today out to the Hydrostone. The weather was incredible! Stopped into Jullienne's Bakery where the spread was divine!

The ensuing croissant and tea was so good, I felt like all the stress and tension I was holding through the week just melted away.

I then crossed through the commons on the way home. Nice to see people still out playing soccer and football and frisbee. I wish more people would have come out with me!

Then I took a few minutes to watch what was going down at the Skate park.

Overall a fantastic morning!!! It's weird but having the morning to myself really made my day seem longer. I got a bunch of work done for school and for my bike group! I can't wait to go next weekend! Hope you guys will join!

Rough Ride for Halifax Critical Mass

Last month's Critical Mass ride got tangled up with the police last month. I can't say I'm surprised, as police involvement is usually involved in many rides to some capacity. What frustrates me is the borderline split personality disorder of Halifax Police. Some months they are kind and courteous towards the Mass, and even escort us during the ride. Other times they are aggressive and very grabby, which is a scary thing when you are on a medium-paced ride with two wheels. I've even had one officer on a motorcycle come up from behind me while I was stopped and try to push me over. I know enough at this point that if you get nabbed by the cops, you get asked 20 questions, none of which you can really give a good answer to, they get frustrated, ask for your ID, rifle through their little law book in their cars and promptly fine you for something. In response to his push, I steadied myself and busted out of there.

Three people were fined last month however, which lead to a "Critical Mass Meeting". A handful of people including myself showed up. It was nice to see that people care about what happened and want to help out the people who got fined.

On another cycling note, the Halifax Cycling Coalition was contacted by the US Consulate General last month about a city planner that will be in Halifax at the end of the week. Roger Geller has been the Bicycling Planner for the City of Portland, OR for the past 15 years. If you don't know about Portland, it's essentially THE cycling Mecca in the US. It will be nice to see and hear what ideas would be feasible in Halifax. He's also meeting with the HRM Active Transportation Advisory Committee. I hope he inspires them to invest their efforts into getting Halifax a Bicycle planner of it's own. I made a poster for this event that I will try and attach below.

That's about it from me. Keep it real you guys!