Wednesday, October 31, 2007

Ride home for Wednesday, 31 October

Warm ride home. Something was going on downtown, I could hear ambulances going almost constantly, and large parts of Halifax were gridlocked all the way out to where Bayer's Road hit the highway. It made no real difference to the time it took me to get home, though - I was back in plenty of time for the sprog's birthday party (and happy birthday to Angela, who was also a Halloween baby!)

Distance logged: 11.760km
Time: 39:51
Average speed: 17.7km/hr
Max speed: 42.6 km/hr
Temperature: 9C, sunny
Cumulative distance: 3870.385km
Cumulative cost per km: $0.23
Monthly distance: 599.317km
Monthly cost per km: $0.09

Ride into work for Wednesday, 31 October

Rode to Bedford for a physio appointment then headed into work. After being buzzed repeatedly on the way in to Halifax on the Bedford Highway I'm toying with the idea of attaching a wide set of handlebars to my rear rack, I figure that drivers would be worried about damaging their precious vehicles and might entice them to give me a bit more than 6 inches of room...

Distance logged: 29.092km
Time: 78:45
Average speed: 22.2km/hr
Max speed: 46.5 km/hr
Temperature: -1C to 4C, sunny
Cumulative distance: 3858.625km
Cumulative cost per km: $0.23
Monthly distance: 587.557km
Monthly cost per km: $0.09

Tuesday, October 30, 2007

Ride home for Tuesday, 30 October

Rode home via the butcher's and picked up a special treat, some liver.

Distance logged: 13.371km
Time: 46:06
Average speed: 17.4km/hr
Max speed: 45.1 km/hr
Temperature: 7C, sunny
Cumulative distance: 3829.533km
Cumulative cost per km: $0.23
Monthly distance: 558.465km
Monthly cost per km: $0.09

Ride into work for Tuesday, 30 October

I was running about 5 minutes early so I thought I'd take a whirl round to see how much extra distance I could cover. The answer appears to be around 700 metres, thanks to getting caught by a couple of red lights. Swizz!


Distance logged: 12.294km
Time: 39:37
Average speed: 18.6km/hr
Max speed: 55.1 km/hr
Temperature: -2C, sunny
Cumulative distance: 3816.162km
Cumulative cost per km: $0.23
Monthly distance: 545.094km
Monthly cost per km: $0.09

Monday, October 29, 2007

Ride home for Monday, 29 October

The ride home was into a stiff breeze most of the way home, which mixed with the cooler, denser air wasn't a whole lot of fun.

Distance logged: 11.762km
Time: 40:01
Average speed: 17.6km/hr
Max speed: 46.1 km/hr
Temperature: 5C, sunny, breezy
Cumulative distance: 3803.868km
Cumulative cost per km: $0.23
Monthly distance: 532.800km
Monthly cost per km: $0.1

Ride into work for Monday, 29 October

Winter struck again with its on again, off again approach this morning. For a brief period, Environment Canada were even giving a chance of snow flurries!

Distance logged: 11.177km
Time: 35:06
Average speed: 19.1km/hr
Max speed: 54.2 km/hr
Temperature: 1C, sunny
Cumulative distance: 3792.106km
Cumulative cost per km: $0.23
Monthly distance: 521.038km
Monthly cost per km: $0.1

Saturday, October 27, 2007

Ride for Saturday, 27 October

Rode down to the Farmer's Market for my weekly shop, and stopped off at IdealBikes on the way back as Chris wanted me to take a few pictures of his bike for him. In return I got him to check my creaky seatpost, and he diagnosed it as the seatpost being a smidgen too small and recommended a 26.6 instead of 26.4. I tried a few seatposts and found a 26.6 that fit perfectly, Chris was happy to accept my old seatpost in trade at no charge and now I no longer have a creaking noise!

Distance logged: 24.899km
Time: 85:46
Average speed: 17.4km/hr
Max speed: 50 km/hr
Temperature: 7C-12C, cloudy
Cumulative distance: 3780.929km
Cumulative cost per km: $0.23
Monthly distance: 509.861km
Monthly cost per km: $0.1

Critical Mass ride and ride home for Friday, 26 October

Went to Idealbikes after work and took some pictures, then hit up MEC for some new gloves since mine got trashed in the last major accident. After that I went up to Victoria Park for Critical Mass. There was a really big turnout, I think the count was 85 people. I was particularly impressed by this self-made bike caravan, the owner lives out of it year round:

.

Just before we set off, a couple of bike police showed up. They didn't say anything to anyone, just stood off to one side and observed. There were a lot of mutterings about it being a problem (particularly after issues with police and Critical Mass in other cities), but I was deeply surprised when they essentially turned themselves into marshals for the ride, and corked every street the ride went along. When the driver of an SUV started to try to force his way into the middle of the crowd they were there almost immediately and defused the situation - I was extremely impressed by how professional and courteous they were. Since it was dark my camera was insisting on exposure times of up to half a second and most of the pictures didn't turn out, but here's one where they're just about visible - the two riders in yellow jackets are the bike police:



Somewhere along Brunswick we picked up a squad car in front that cleared the way for us, then when we got down to Barrington it stopped in a lane so we could merge over then followed us the whole way along, stopping traffic at Cornwallis for the memorial for Michael Brooker. After that, we headed up Barrington (still with full police escort and bike police), up Spring Garden, then worked our way up University to see the other "bike lane" in Halifax (where the paint has pretty much worn off the road), then through the residential areas towards Quinpool. The bike police had a fairly loud conversation with each other about how they'd better start ticketing riders without lights or reflectors, so the message spread quickly for those in the mass without lights to bail out - I guess that was their way of giving advance warning, which was good of them. The only other problem we had was at the intersection of Vernon and Jubilee, when a police van stopped in the middle of the intersection to demand which way we were going. Peter told them we were headed to the lights, on to Quinpool, then to the Commons. The police officer for some reason said that wasn't enough information and needed to know where we were going so he could block traffic. Peter again gave him the route, and again the officer said it wasn't enough. At this point the bike police came up and everyone just rode around the police van and we kept going. The police van met us at the Quinpool intersection on Robie and stopped traffic in all directions (including the cars waiting in front of us, which I felt mildly guilty about) and then waved us through. We headed down along Cogswell, walked our bikes across the crosswalk (discretion being the better part of valour, since we still had the bike police with us and we didn't want to force them to cause any problems) and the ride ended on the middle of the Commons. I headed home after that, while most of the others who could stay headed off to the bike movie at the Creighton Roxy.

One slightly disturbing rumour I heard after was that Peter had been stopped after the ride by the police. I'm not sure what happened (and I haven't got a reply from an email I sent him) but I hope everything went OK...

So in summary, it was a good ride, with a lot of helpful co-operation from the police, with only the rumour of Peter having problems at the end to mar it. Pictures (mostly blurred due to excessively long exposure times) are here.

UPDATE - I got an email back from Peter, he ended up having a productive conversation with a police officer with suggestions for future rides. Apparently there was a cyclist hit on North Park Street which explained why the police were so nervous about us going to the Commons.

Distance logged: 20.012km
Time: 89:44
Average speed: 13.4km/hr
Max speed: 46.5 km/hr
Temperature: 12C-6C, clear
Cumulative distance: 3756.030km
Cumulative cost per km: $0.23
Monthly distance: 484.962km
Monthly cost per km: $0.11

Ride into work for Friday, 26 October

Chilly ride in, it looks like winter is headed back after a warm break...

Distance logged: 11.158km
Time: 36:11
Average speed: 18.5km/hr
Max speed: 59 km/hr
Temperature: 3C, sunny
Cumulative distance: 3736.018km
Cumulative cost per km: $0.22
Monthly distance: 464.950km
Monthly cost per km: $0

Thursday, October 25, 2007

Ride home for Thursday, 25 October

Tough ride home as I was riding into a headwind most of the way.

Distance logged: 13.367km
Time: 45:46
Average speed: 17.5km/hr
Max speed: 45.4 km/hr
Temperature: 10C, breezy
Cumulative distance: 3724.860km
Cumulative cost per km: $0.22
Monthly distance: 453.792km
Monthly cost per km: $0

Ride into work for Thursday, 25 October

It was a race into work this morning against the rain... I managed to make it just as it was sprinkling.

Distance logged: 11.145km
Time: 32:44
Average speed: 20.4km/hr
Max speed: 54.7 km/hr
Temperature: 8C, light showers
Cumulative distance: 3711.493km
Cumulative cost per km: $0.22
Monthly distance: 440.425km
Monthly cost per km: $0

Wednesday, October 24, 2007

Ride home for Wednesday, 24 October

Rode back via Bike Again for a meeting with the Halifax Critical Mass crew to see what's going on with the ghost bike ride for Friday.

Distance logged: 13.424km
Time: 45:27
Average speed: 17.7km/hr
Max speed: 47.6 km/hr
Temperature: 11C, breezy
Cumulative distance: 3700.348km
Cumulative cost per km: $0.22
Monthly distance: 429.280km
Monthly cost per km: $0

Ride into work for Wednesday, 24 October

Damp ride into Bedford for a physio appointment, then a fairly rapid ride back to Halifax courtesy of a good strong tailwind.

Distance logged: 28.968km
Time: 77:45
Average speed: 22.4km/hr
Max speed: 46.5 km/hr
Temperature: 17C-14C, windy, intermittent showers
Cumulative distance: 3686.924km
Cumulative cost per km: $0.22
Monthly distance: 415.856km
Monthly cost per km: $0

Tuesday, October 23, 2007

Ride home for Tuesday, 23 October

Fortunately, uneventful.

Distance logged: 11.820km
Time: 39:26
Average speed: 18km/hr
Max speed: 40 km/hr
Temperature: 19C, sunny
Cumulative distance: 3657.956km
Cumulative cost per km: $0.23
Monthly distance: 386.888km
Monthly cost per km: $0

Ride into work for Tuesday, 23 October

Taking it up to number 4 for this year, I was hit again this morning by a car. This time I was going over the railway bridge on Mumford Road an as I went through the intersection an SUV tried to pass me going through and clipped my handlebars. This time I was able to keep on the bike and told the driver to pull over. His excuse was "but you started going faster!" (as cyclists tend to do going downhill) and "you wobbled!" (as cyclists tend to do when they're assaulted by SUVs). I called 911 and had a full meal deal - fire, police and ambulance all attended. Muppet driver's reponse was, "oh my god, you really called the police, I can't believe you called the police!"

Needless to say I was not best pleased but since there were no witnesses (and the police officer went up and down the length of the road looking for witnesses) it was not possible to give the driver a ticket. Given that there was a message for me to call the driver's insurance when I got home, I'm guessing they found out pretty quickly. I'm looking forward to talking to them tomorrow, but something tells me the muppet driver is not going to enjoy his next insurance bill.

I think I'm going to take an old Bic-able U-lock and hang that off my handlebars and use it for signalling. Something tells me that drivers will shy away from someone waving a few pounds of metal around that might damage their precious vehicle...

Distance logged: 11.143km
Time: 32:34
Average speed: 20.5km/hr
Max speed: 61 km/hr
Temperature: 11C, cloudy
Cumulative distance: 3646.136km
Cumulative cost per km: $0.23
Monthly distance: 375.068km
Monthly cost per km: $0

Monday, October 22, 2007

Ride home for Monday, 22 October

Left work early for a hospital appointment to see the neurologist. Got there for around 1:45, got signed in, went for my xray at 2, got back to neurology for 2:30, then... waited till 4pm to see the neurologist. He said that my fractured vertebrae appear to be healing well, and "whatever you're doing, keep doing, it seems to be doing the trick". He gave me the option of either a definite appointment for 6 weeks, or just calling in for an appointment if anything changed for the worst - I opted for the latter, since although I enjoyed reading a Lensmen book on my Treo I usually have better things to be doing with my afternoon.

I've now graduated to being allowed to lift 10lbs of weight. Another month and a half or so and I should be back to normal.

Distance logged: 13.84km
Time: 45:11
Average speed: 18.4km/hr
Max speed: 44.1 km/hr
Temperature: 23C, sunny
Cumulative distance: 3634.993km
Cumulative cost per km: $0.23
Monthly distance: 363.925km
Monthly cost per km: $0

Ride into work for Monday, 22 October

Distance logged: 11.976km
Time: 35:02
Average speed: 20.4km/hr
Max speed: 58.1 km/hr
Temperature: 11C, sunny
Cumulative distance: 3621.153km
Cumulative cost per km: $0.23
Monthly distance: 350.085km
Monthly cost per km: $0

Ride home for Friday, 19 October

Distance logged: 11.750km
Time: 37:16
Average speed: 18.9km/hr
Max speed: 43 km/hr
Temperature: 15C
Cumulative distance: 3609.177km
Cumulative cost per km: $0.23
Monthly distance: 338.109km
Monthly cost per km: $0

Ride into work for Friday, 19 October

Distance logged: 12.076km
Time: 37:56
Average speed: 19.1km/hr
Max speed: 56.9 km/hr
Temperature: 5C
Cumulative distance: 3597.427km
Cumulative cost per km: $0.23
Monthly distance: 326.359km
Monthly cost per km: $0

Ride home for Thursday, 18 October

Distance logged: 11,730km
Time: 37:49
Average speed: 17.5km/hr
Max speed: 49.2 km/hr
Temperature: 15C
Cumulative distance: 3585.351km
Cumulative cost per km: $0.23
Monthly distance: 314.283km
Monthly cost per km: $0

Ride into work for Thursday, 18 October

Another encounter with police, this time on Liverpool Street. A police car had stopped one one side of the road, and a large van had been stopped immediately opposite, and I could just see a minivan driving towards me in the other direction. I sat there waiting to see what would happen, and the police officer standing by the van looked at me and (without checking the other way) waved me to go through. I pointed at the minivan oncoming and the police officer just kept waving me on, then the officer in the car stuck her hand out of the window and twirled her finger in circles, which in the UK means turn around. How confused was I... I dropped my bike into lowest gear and rode up as slowly as possible anticipating someone to pull a stupid move, but the minivan driver decided to stop as well, since he was obviously bemused by what was going on too.

Distance logged: 11.164km
Time: 32:39
Average speed: 20.5km/hr
Max speed: 55.9 km/hr
Temperature: 5C
Cumulative distance: 3574.351km
Cumulative cost per km: $0.23
Monthly distance: 303.283km
Monthly cost per km: $0

Ride home for Wednesday, 17 October

Distance logged: 13.430km
Time: 43:31
Average speed: 18.5km/hr
Max speed: 47.1 km/hr
Temperature: 12C
Cumulative distance: 3563.187km
Cumulative cost per km: $0.23
Monthly distance: 292.119km
Monthly cost per km: $0

Ride into work for Wednesday, 17 October

Rode into Bedford to go to physio, then back to work. Muppet of the day was the police officer (!) who turned left out of the Bedford police station without looking left (!!) while talking on a cellphone (!!!) - and then had the temerity to wave at me as he went by! If I hadn't been running late for physio I would have gone back and got his badge number.

Distance logged: 29.006km
Time: 74:01
Average speed: 23.5km/hr
Max speed: 45.1 km/hr
Temperature: 5C-10C
Cumulative distance: 3549.757km
Cumulative cost per km: $0.23
Monthly distance: 278.689km
Monthly cost per km: $0

Wednesday, October 17, 2007

Ride home for Tuesday, 16 October

Now I have my own office at the hospital I can leave my laptop locked up there overnight instead of carrying it home. The constant headwind I had on the way home more than made up for the lower weight, though.

Distance logged: 13.382km
Time: 45:44
Average speed: 17.6km/hr
Max speed: 45.1 km/hr
Temperature: 10C, sunny, breezy
Cumulative distance: 3520.751km
Cumulative cost per km: $0.24
Monthly distance: 249.683km
Monthly cost per km: $0

Ride into work for Tuesday, 16 October

With the colder weather approaching, I put on a winter jersey for the first time today.

Distance logged: 11.145km
Time: 33:21
Average speed: 20.1km/hr
Max speed: 56.4 km/hr
Temperature: 4C, sunny
Cumulative distance: 3507.369km
Cumulative cost per km: $0.24
Monthly distance: 236.301km
Monthly cost per km: $0

Monday, October 15, 2007

Ride home for Monday, 15 October

Catching up on entries after a busy couple of weeks. I was assigned a new contract, amusingly enough I am now looking after some servers at the hospital. After spending a week getting my head around AIX I'm starting to have a little bit of spare time to myself to catch up on things.

Distance logged: 11.737km
Time: 41:24
Average speed: 17km/hr
Max speed: 44.7 km/hr
Temperature: 9C, cloudy
Cumulative distance: 3496.224km
Cumulative cost per km: $0.24
Monthly distance: 225.156km
Monthly cost per km: $0

Ride into work for Monday, 15 October

Rode down to physio in Bedford, then on to work.

Distance logged: 28.994km
Time: 79:15
Average speed: 22km/hr
Max speed: 47.6 km/hr
Temperature: 4C-6C, cloudy
Cumulative distance: 3484.487km
Cumulative cost per km: $0.24
Monthly distance: 213.419km
Monthly cost per km: $0

Ride for Saturday, 13 October

Went down to the Farmer's Market, back home, then down to physio and back.

Distance logged: 49.607km
Time: 175:39
Average speed: 16.9km/hr
Max speed: 55.3 km/hr
Temperature: 11C
Cumulative distance: 3455.493km
Cumulative cost per km: $0.24
Monthly distance: 184.425km
Monthly cost per km: $0

Ride home for Friday, 12 October

Distance logged: 13.740km
Time: 45:52
Average speed: 18km/hr
Max speed: 43.7 km/hr
Temperature: 14C
Cumulative distance: 3405.886km
Cumulative cost per km: $0.24
Monthly distance: 134.818km
Monthly cost per km: $0

Ride into work for Friday, 12 October

Distance logged: 11.160km
Time: 38:11
Average speed: 17.5km/hr
Max speed: 45.4 km/hr
Temperature: 12C
Cumulative distance: 3392.146km
Cumulative cost per km: $0.24
Monthly distance: 121.078km
Monthly cost per km: $0

Ride home for Thursday, 11 October

Distance logged: 13.646km
Time: 45:04
Average speed: 18km/hr
Max speed: 48 km/hr
Temperature: 13C
Cumulative distance: 3380.986km
Cumulative cost per km: $0.24
Monthly distance: 109.918km
Monthly cost per km: $0

Ride into work for Thursday, 11 October

Distance logged: 11.167km
Time: 34:48
Average speed: 19.3km/hr
Max speed: 53.8 km/hr
Temperature: 10C
Cumulative distance: 3367.340km
Cumulative cost per km: $0.25
Monthly distance: 96.272km
Monthly cost per km: $0

Thursday, October 11, 2007

Ride home for Wednesday, 10 October

Another uneventful ride home, apart from two muppets riding a mini motorbike along the Mainland North Linear Parkway. I wouldn't mind, but their veering tyre tracks showed quite well they had very little control over the bike. Possibly their helmetless ways will remove the problem eventually in a fairly terminal fashion...

Distance logged: 12.027km
Time: 39:48
Average speed: 18.1km/hr
Max speed: 45.4 km/hr
Temperature: 12C, cloudy
Cumulative distance: 3356.173km
Cumulative cost per km: $0.25
Monthly distance: 85.105km
Monthly cost per km: $0

Ride into work for Wednesday, 10 October

Quiet and uneventful, apart from the muppet who overtook me without changing lanes.

Distance logged: 11.167km
Time: 34:48
Average speed: 19.3km/hr
Max speed: 53.8 km/hr
Temperature: 4C, cloudy
Cumulative distance: 3344.146km
Cumulative cost per km: $0.25
Monthly distance: 73.078km
Monthly cost per km: $0

Tuesday, October 09, 2007

Ride for Tuesday, 09 October

Didn't get a chance to log my bike miles separately from this morning as my phone was at the bottom of my panniers when I set off home.

Went to physio this morning in Bedford, rode down to the hospital, then rode home from there at the end of the day.

Distance logged: 41.028km
Time: 121:26
Average speed: 20.3km/hr
Max speed: 44.7 km/hr
Temperature: 6C-11C
Cumulative distance: 3332.979km
Cumulative cost per km: $0.25
Monthly distance: 61.911km
Monthly cost per km: $0

Sunday, October 07, 2007

Ride for Saturday, 06 October

1 month has passed since the accident, and my wife pointed out I was restricted from carrying or lifting, not necessarily biking. I decided to ride to physio and back with panniers to see how that worked out - not too bad.

In a slightly karmic twist of fate, I just started a new gig at the local hospital, so it looks like I'm going to be commuting by bike again for a while.

Distance logged: 20.883km
Time: 63:59
Average speed: 19.6km/hr
Max speed: 44.4 km/hr
Temperature: 15C, sunny
Cumulative distance: 3291.951km
Cumulative cost per km: $0.25
Monthly distance: 20.883km
Monthly cost per km: $0

Wednesday, October 03, 2007

More on the Alleycat(s) in Halifax this week

Fresh off the email press:

sorry 'bout the late warning everyone, here it is

The Alleycat is at Ginger's on Thursday October 4h at 7.30pm and you
will need to bring your bike upstairs to the courtyard after the race
for more stuff to do.

On Sunday October 7th, there's a time trial from Burnside to Gus' Pub,
meeting at Gus' at 2.00pm and the street track is meeting at 7.30pm at
Victoria Park (Spring Garden and South Park)

Hope to see you all tomorrow,

Monday, October 01, 2007

Alleycat race in Halifax on Thursday 4th October

7:30pm start at Ginger's Tavern on Barrington, with an afterparty at Ginger's sponsored by IdealBikes.

There's also a mystery event due to be held on Sunday. This may involve large cylinders of metal, and magnets. You have been warned.