Ride home for Monday, 31 March

Rode back via the office for the last time. I'm leaving my job to go work for the hospital so I had to go in and drop off all my gear. Plans were made for a drinking session later in the month after year end closings are all done. It was a fun crowd there, I shall keep in touch with them and I'm sure I'll see several of them around town at some point.

Distance logged: 12.284km
Time: 46:01
Average speed: 16km/hr
Max speed: 45 km/hr
Temperature: 6C, cloudy
Cumulative distance: 1850.192km
Cumulative cost per km: $0.09
Monthly distance: 603.722km
Monthly cost per km: $0.09

Ride into work for Monday, 31 March

Distance logged: 11.166km
Time: 39:04
Average speed: 16.9km/hr
Max speed: 57.2 km/hr
Temperature: -7C, sunny
Cumulative distance: 1837.908km
Cumulative cost per km: $0.1
Monthly distance: 591.438km
Monthly cost per km: $0.09

Critical mass ride for Friday, 28 March

Fun critical mass ride in the snow. We went round Point Pleasant Park, then through the container pier and up onto Barrington, then around downtown Halifax. Steve B was taking copious footage on his camera so hopefully a movie should result...

Distance logged: 17.798km
Time: 92:29
Average speed: 11.5km/hr
Max speed: 36 km/hr
Temperature: 0C, snow
Cumulative distance: 1826.742km
Cumulative cost per km: $0.1
Monthly distance: 580.272km
Monthly cost per km: $0.09

Ride into work for Friday, 28th March

Light snow on the ride in made things a little bit more interesting...

Distance logged: 11.178km
Time: 38:54
Average speed: 17.2km/hr
Max speed: 50.9 km/hr
Temperature: 0C, snowing
Cumulative distance: 1808.944km
Cumulative cost per km: $0.1
Monthly distance: 562.474km
Monthly cost per km: $0.1

Ride home for Thursday, 27th March

Downtown for my exit interview, then over to a friend's house where I drank rather too much coffee and ended up putting an extra 5km or so on on the way home...

Distance logged: 17.771km
Time: 71:12
Average speed: 15km/hr
Max speed: 40.3 km/hr
Temperature: 5C to 0C
Cumulative distance: 1797.766km
Cumulative cost per km: $0.1
Monthly distance: 551.296km
Monthly cost per km: $0.1

Ride into work for Thursday, 27th March

Distance logged: 10.977km
Time: 34:38
Average speed: 19km/hr
Max speed: 49.9 km/hr
Temperature: -2C
Cumulative distance: 1779.995km
Cumulative cost per km: $0.1
Monthly distance: 533.525km
Monthly cost per km: $0.1

Ride home for Wednesday, 26 March

I came out of work to find a flat rear tyre. To compound the misery, I found that the adapter on my pump was mangled so I couldn't even pump up the tyre. A co-worker commiserated with me, commenting that normally he'd have a pump with him but he was out at the weekend. It turned out to be a blessing in disguise, I went down to Ideal, got a tube and pump, and noticed my front derailleur cable was frayed. While Mike was changing out the cable for me I wrestled with the tyre - normally the Schwalbe tyres are really difficult to get on, but this time I had the opposite problem and couldn't get the bead to stay on the rim, it kept flopping off when I inflated it. Mike had a go as well, even going as far as using a proper tool to seat the bead on the rim, before coming to the conclusion that the bead was fairly comprehensively stretched and not worth the risk of riding it. He dug out a Nokian Hakkapeliitta tyre and mounted that for me and it worked perfectly. For all that work and all the parts I was only charged $50... I'll have to buy Mike beers at the next Alleycat party in thanks!

Distance logged: 11.480km
Time: 47:30
Average speed: 14.5km/hr
Max speed: 39.7 km/hr
Temperature: 0C, freezing rain
Cumulative distance: 1769.018km
Cumulative cost per km: $0.1
Monthly distance: 522.548km
Monthly cost per km: $0.11

Ride into work for Wednesday, 28 March

Environment Canada was saying temperatures of -11C when I headed out, though I soon started suspecting otherwise. My suspicions were confirmed as I rode past the Aliant building on the Bedford Highway on my way to physio, where the display was reading -5C. It continued to warm up on the way back, all the way up to 1C, then the snow hit. I managed to get to the office before the worst of it hit but it wasn't much fun getting pelted with partially melted snow...

Distance logged: 31.561km
Time: 106:46
Average speed: 17.7km/hr
Max speed: 51.7 km/hr
Temperature: -11C to 1C, cloudy to snowing
Cumulative distance: 1757.538km
Cumulative cost per km: $0.07
Monthly distance: 511.068km
Monthly cost per km: $0

Ride home for Tuesday, 25 March

Nice warm day... as long as I stayed out of the wind, which seemed to be coming directly from the Arctic.

Distance logged: 13.355km
Time: 49:33
Average speed: 16.2km/hr
Max speed: 40.9 km/hr
Temperature: -4C, sunny
Cumulative distance: 1725.977km
Cumulative cost per km: $0.07
Monthly distance: 479.507km
Monthly cost per km: $0

Ride into work for Tuesday, 25 March

First day back at work after the Easter break. I had to agree with the sprog's comments this morning - "I don't wanna go to school, I wanna stay home and skive off!"; however you can't, as the Rolling Stones so sagaciously observed, always get what you want.

Distance logged: 11.172km
Time: 35:56
Average speed: 18.7km/hr
Max speed: 45 km/hr
Temperature: -5C
Cumulative distance: 1712.622km
Cumulative cost per km: $0.07
Monthly distance: 466.152km
Monthly cost per km: $0

Ride for Saturday, 22 March

Down to the farmer's market for my weekly shopping, it was snowing pretty heavily when I arrived but pretty much stopped by the time I got out. Ran into the other Steve B when I left and we discussed sewer grate mapping (one of the thrilling topics for cyclists in the city to talk about!) before I headed back home.

Distance logged: 25.768km
Time: 98:24
Average speed: 15.7km/hr
Max speed: 49.9 km/hr
Temperature: -6C to -4C, snow tapering off
Cumulative distance: 1701.450km
Cumulative cost per km: $0.07
Monthly distance: 454.980km
Monthly cost per km: $0

Ride for Thursday, 20 March

Worked from home today as the roads were coated with ice from freezing rain today - I wasn't even able to get out of my driveway, so I figured discretion would be the better part of valour in this case. Headed downtown around 5pm for the HCC meeting riding through the rain, which did a pretty good job of rinsing some of the salt off the roads. Unfortunately the rain also kept a lot of people away and it was pretty sparsely attended. This was more than made up for by a very generous donation from MEC, and a presentation on CAN-BIKE from Wayne, one of the HRM instructors.

Distance logged: 22.808km
Time: 73:07
Average speed: 18.7km/hr
Max speed: 45.8 km/hr
Temperature: 3C to 5C, rain turning to drizzle
Cumulative distance: 1675.682km
Cumulative cost per km: $0.07
Monthly distance: 429.212km
Monthly cost per km: $0

Ride home for Wednesday, 19 March

I received a reply from HRM today (already!):

Thank you for your email regarding Mainland North Linear Parkway, for your information we will have an officer out today conducting a park patrol at Mainland North Linear and will continue to patrol this park on a regular basis.

I didn't see any officer patrolling today on my way home, but it's certainly possible they were further up the trail. I still ran into (not literally, fortunately) one dog not on a leash.

Nice sunny ride home other than that. I thought it was a great sign of spring finally arriving until I got home and saw the forecast for freezing rain tonight and tomorrow morning...

Distance logged: 11.773km
Time: 43:46
Average speed: 16.1km/hr
Max speed: 42.6 km/hr
Temperature: 3C, sunny
Cumulative distance: 1652.874km
Cumulative cost per km: $0.07
Monthly distance: 406.404km
Monthly cost per km: $0

Ride into work for Wednesday, 19 March

Down to Bedford for my weekly physio appointment. For one reason and another I didn't end up leaving till after 1pm, so I had to push it to get into work as fast as possible - I think I did it in around 35 minutes, and paid for it all afternoon!

Distance logged: 27.746km
Time: 80:11
Average speed: 20.8km/hr
Max speed: 42.9 km/hr
Temperature: -9C to 1C
Cumulative distance: 1641.101km
Cumulative cost per km: $0.07
Monthly distance: 394.631km
Monthly cost per km: $0

Ride home for Tuesday, 18 March

Still windy. Had another muppet with a dog not on a leash allow his dog to run at me. When I asked him if he cared about whether his dog got hit by me and his skin shredded by my studded tyres, the muppet responded "no, because I'll just beat the crap out of anyone who runs over my dog". Quite how that would stop his dog getting injured in the first place, I really don't know.

I mentioned this to the butcher when I stopped in to pick up some sausages, and he said I should report them to HRM, so... I did. http://www.halifax.ca/contact.html has the contact email address of by-law enforcement so I sent an email to them this evening:


Would it be possible for an officer to do some patrols on the Mainland North Linear Parkway (http://trails.gov.ns.ca/SharedUse/hx079.html)? There are several irresponsible pet owners allowing their dogs to run freely on this trail, and twice in the past two days I have almost hit a dog on my bicycle. In addition my son has had dogs run up to him in his wheelchair, causing a significant scare to him. I have mostly seen these dogs in the mornings on my way into work around 7:30-8am, in the afternoons around 4-6pm and all day at the weekends, mostly on the stretches between Main Street and Langbrae Drive.

Thankyou in advance for your attention in this matter.


I shall be interested to see what, if anything, comes out of this...

Distance logged: 13.386km
Time: 51:13
Average speed: 15.7km/hr
Max speed: 40.6 km/hr
Temperature: -4C, sunny, windy
Cumulative distance: 1613.355km
Cumulative cost per km: $0.07
Monthly distance: 366.885km
Monthly cost per km: $0

Ride into work for Tuesday, 18 March

Still pretty windy out, but not as bad as yesterday.

Distance logged: 11.185km
Time: 37:50
Average speed: 17.7km/hr
Max speed: 50.1 km/hr
Temperature: -10C, cloudy, windy
Cumulative distance: 1599.969km
Cumulative cost per km: $0.08
Monthly distance: 353.499km
Monthly cost per km: $0

Ride home for Monday, 17 March

Tough ride home, the winds were running at 50-60km/hr with gusts of over 80km/hr. I had a few tailwinds, but hit some really nasty headwinds - at one point I was going downhill and had to pedal hard to get anywhere!

Distance logged: 11.773km
Time: 47:51
Average speed: 14.8km/hr
Max speed: 40 km/hr
Temperature: -2C, windy
Cumulative distance: 1588.784km
Cumulative cost per km: $0.08
Monthly distance: 342.314km
Monthly cost per km: $0

Ride into work for Monday, 17 March

Windy ride in, with s torm system squatting over the coast. Ominously, it was mostly tailwinds...

Distance logged: 11.180km
Time: 36:40
Average speed: 18.3km/hr
Max speed: 49.5 km/hr
Temperature: -7C, cloudy, breezy
Cumulative distance: 1577.011km
Cumulative cost per km: $0.08
Monthly distance: 330.541km
Monthly cost per km: $0

Ride for Saturday, 15 March

Down to the farmer's market to do my weekly shopping, did it early as a heavy snowfall was due to hit later. Encountered muppet of the day on the way back. I was riding on Vernon Street (nominally a major bike route) towards Quinpool when a Mercedes stopped at the intersection on Pepperrell. The driver looked at me, then slowly pulled out in front of me. I leaned on my horn and my brakes and the muppet driver continued on until they were in front of me then stopped dead. Fortunately I (just) managed to stop in time and merely grazed my studded tyres against the rear of the vehicle, then discussed with the driver exactly why she was trying to kill me. Her excuse was that she didn't see me despite me having 3 flashing lights going on the front and wearing a high visibility vest. She did, at least, apologise.

Distance logged: 26.367km
Time: 102:18
Average speed: 15.5km/hr
Max speed: 44.4 km/hr
Temperature: -6C to -4C
Cumulative distance: 1565.831km
Cumulative cost per km: $0.08
Monthly distance: 319.361km
Monthly cost per km: $0

Ride home for Friday, 14 March

The traffic was still on the sparse side, and I counted 15 cyclists on the way home. The area around Dalhousie was veritably festooned with derailleurless bikes, most probably (given the hipster student population of the area) fixies. I wonder if there's any way I can weasel stats out of the emergency department as to how many injuries come in from muppets unused to fixies...

Distance logged: 11.748km
Time: 43:16
Average speed: 16.3km/hr
Max speed: 41.9 km/hr
Temperature: 0C, patchy clouds
Cumulative distance: 1539.464km
Cumulative cost per km: $0.08
Monthly distance: 292.994km
Monthly cost per km: $0

Ride into work for Friday, 14 March

Gas up to $1.197, and traffic was sparser than normal this week with more cyclists on the road, even given the cold snap. A pure coincidence, I'm sure.

Distance logged: 11.182km
Time: 37:45
Average speed: 17.8km/hr
Max speed: 55.8 km/hr
Temperature: -10C, sunny
Cumulative distance: 1527.716km
Cumulative cost per km: $0.08
Monthly distance: 281.246km
Monthly cost per km: $0

Halifax Cycling Coalition meeting

The latest meeting of the HCC has been announced (several days ago, I just neglected to post it here):

The Halifax Cycling Coalition is having their next public general meeting Thursday, March 20th at 7pm in the Architecture Building of the Dalhousie Campus (5410 Spring Garden rd.). We are hoping to present a speaker and host a discussion of cycling issues facing the Halifax Regional Municipality. Please come out and join us!

When: Thursday, March 20th at 7pm

Where: 5410 Spring Garden Road

Ride home for Thursday, 13 March

The roads on the way home were even deader than they have been all week; I'm not sure what the story is there but (as usual) I'm not complaining about it. I took the fire trail back as it had been cleared, although the warmer weather meant it was mushy and took an awful lot of effort to pedal through.

Hit the butcher's on the way home where we discussed gas prices and how people were lining up idling their engines to save (maybe) a couple of bucks on a fillup. The stupidity of some drivers was demonstrated on the way out, where they were queuing all the way into the main road on my side of the road, with traffic going to the mall continuing to drive in on the correct side. The drivers waiting in the queue bore a remarkable resemblance to zombies, with slack jaws, expressionless faces, and an apparent lack of intelligence behind the eyes...

Distance logged: 13.370km
Time: 50:46
Average speed: 15.8km/hr
Max speed: 42.3 km/hr
Temperature: -4C, sunny
Cumulative distance: 1516.534km
Cumulative cost per km: $0.08
Monthly distance: 270.064km
Monthly cost per km: $0

Ride into work for Thursday, 13 March

Snow again last night, about 5cm worth. By the time I hit the roads they'd all been cleared, although the back streets weren't too great, and Vernon Street, nominally a major bike route, had been barely touched.

Distance logged: 11.329km
Time: 36:37
Average speed: 18.6km/hr
Max speed: 51.2 km/hr
Temperature: -2C, cloudy
Cumulative distance: 1503.164km
Cumulative cost per km: $0.08
Monthly distance: 256.694km
Monthly cost per km: $0

Ride home for Wednesday, 12 March

Still little traffic on the roads (so it's going to suck next week when it all returns) but the number of cyclists on the road increased. I saw my first muppet cyclist of the year, too - he couldn't decide which side of the road to ride on so he switched sides every 20 seconds or so, and at an intersection where cross traffic had priority he just rode straight through cutting off a car. I don't understand how some people continue to survive...

Distance logged: 11.896km
Time: 41:00
Average speed: 17.4km/hr
Max speed: 40.1 km/hr
Temperature: 3C
Cumulative distance: 1491.835km
Cumulative cost per km: $0.08
Monthly distance: 245.365km
Monthly cost per km: $0

Ride into work for Wednesday, 12 March

Down to Bedford for my weekly physio appointment.

Distance logged: 31.553km
Time: 100:02
Average speed: 18.9km/hr
Max speed: 55.4 km/hr
Temperature: -7C to 0C
Cumulative distance: 1479.939km
Cumulative cost per km: $0.08
Monthly distance: 233.469km
Monthly cost per km: $0

Ride home for Tuesday, 11 March

Very few cars around again, but lots of cyclists downtown - although it might just be that I could see them without all the cars in the way.

Distance logged: 11.746km
Time: 42:22
Average speed: 16.6km/hr
Max speed: 37.4 km/hr
Temperature: 2C, sunny
Cumulative distance: 1448.386km
Cumulative cost per km: $0.08
Monthly distance: 201.916km
Monthly cost per km: $0

Ride into work for Tuesday, 11 March

Another sunny day with very little traffic on the road again, thanks to school being out.

Distance logged: 11.180km
Time: 35:57
Average speed: 18.7km/hr
Max speed: 54.5 km/hr
Temperature: -8C, sunny
Cumulative distance: 1436.640km
Cumulative cost per km: $0.08
Monthly distance: 190.170km
Monthly cost per km: $0

Ride home for Monday, 10 March

The roads were pretty empty on the way home again, surprisingly there were a lot more cyclists on the road.

Distance logged: 11.750km
Time: 42:34
Average speed: 16.6km/hr
Max speed: 37.5 km/hr
Temperature: -3C, cloudy
Cumulative distance: 1425.460km
Cumulative cost per km: $0.08
Monthly distance: 178.990km
Monthly cost per km: $0

Ride into work for Monday, 10 March

Chilly ride in with a dusting of snow to show that winter isn't quite done yet (although we got off lightly compared to Toronto - apparently they got dumped on again at the weekend). Light traffic on the roads due to school being out was most enjoyable.

Distance logged: 11.180km
Time: 35:32
Average speed: 18.9km/hr
Max speed: 53.7 km/hr
Temperature: -10C, sunny
Cumulative distance: 1413.710km
Cumulative cost per km: $0.09
Monthly distance: 167.240km
Monthly cost per km: $0

Ride for Saturday, 08 March

Heavy rain and wind this morning so I decided to skip going to the farmer's market (since I only have one set of waterproof panniers) and went to Sobey's instead, paying a ~$30 premium for the privilege. Hit the butcher's afterwards for ingredients for a stew and headed home to sit out the weather...

Distance logged: 5.774km
Time: 23:30
Average speed: 14.7km/hr
Max speed: 49.9 km/hr
Temperature: 12C, heavy rain, windy
Cumulative distance: 1402.530km
Cumulative cost per km: $0.09
Monthly distance: 156.060km
Monthly cost per km: $0

Ride home for Friday, 07 March

There were a lot of cyclists on the road this afternoon, even though gas only went up by a cent at a few places - those that immediately peg their price at the maximum allowed. Should be interesting to see how quiet the roads are next week with school out on March Break...

Distance logged: 11.767km
Time: 39:40
Average speed: 17.8km/hr
Max speed: 40.6 km/hr
Temperature: 4C
Cumulative distance: 1396.756km
Cumulative cost per km: $0.09
Monthly distance: 150.286km
Monthly cost per km: $0

Ride into work for Friday, 07 March

Distance logged: 11.744km
Time: 37:58
Average speed: 18.6km/hr
Max speed: 55.6 km/hr
Temperature: -4C, sunny
Cumulative distance: 1384.989km
Cumulative cost per km: $0.09
Monthly distance: 138.519km
Monthly cost per km: $0

Ride home for Thursday, 06 March

Rode home via the butcher's and watched people filling up in the hope of making a saving before the price went up by a cent the next day. On a 40 litre tank that would be a saving of 40 cents. I hope the windfall wasn't spent too quickly - or wasted idling the engine waiting for a pump.

Distance logged: 13.339km
Time: 49:07
Average speed: 16.3km/hr
Max speed: 46.1 km/hr
Temperature: 3C, sunny
Cumulative distance: 1373.245km
Cumulative cost per km: $0.09
Monthly distance: 126.775km
Monthly cost per km: $0

Ride into work for Thursday, 06 March

No ride in yesterday; I was scheduled to work from home anyway, and an ice storm overnight left the roads covered with ice - watching cars spin round outside my window made me decide to skip physio for a week.

Distance logged: 11.168km
Time: 40:22
Average speed: 16.6km/hr
Max speed: 49.5 km/hr
Temperature: 0C
Cumulative distance: 1359.906km
Cumulative cost per km: $0.09
Monthly distance: 113.436km
Monthly cost per km: $0

Ride home for Tuesday, 04 March

Went down to the city hall after work to attend a meeting on the Chester Spur. When I got there I found out on walking in through the front doors that the meeting (officially supposed to be part of council business that evening) had already taken place that afternoon in camera. The reason given was that because price discussions were involved the meeting could not be public or CN would know what HRM's budget was - reasonably enough. The office coordinator at city hall was kind enough to email me the results from the meeting when they were released the next day:


"This matter was discussed during the private and confidential In Camera meeting of Council on Tuesday, March 4th where the following motion was moved and later approved by Regional Council:


That Halifax Regional Council:

1. Allow the abandonment process for the Chester and Lakeside Spur Lines to expire on March 6, 2008 without response; and

2. Request that CN agree to provide Halifax Regional Municipality with first right of refusal on the full corridor for a period of three months; and

3. Direct the Mayor and Clerk to sign a confidentiality agreement with CN related to their determination of net salvage value.

4. The Private and Confidential staff report dated February 25, 2008 not be released until all transactions have closed."

So it's not a done deal, but neither has it been dropped. I'm now waiting to see if I can get any sort of notification if anything happens on this...

Distance logged: 13.855km
Time: 49:55
Average speed: 16.7km/hr
Max speed: 47.2 km/hr
Temperature: 7C
Cumulative distance: 1348.738km
Cumulative cost per km: $0.09
Monthly distance: 102.268km
Monthly cost per km: $0

Ride into work for Tuesday, 04 March

Distance logged: 11.318km
Time: 37:53
Average speed: 17.9km/hr
Max speed: 48 km/hr
Temperature: 2C
Cumulative distance: 1334.883km
Cumulative cost per km: $0.09
Monthly distance: 88.413km
Monthly cost per km: $0

Ride home for Monday, 03 March

Distance logged: 11.770km
Time: 44:28
Average speed: 15.9km/hr
Max speed: 40.3 km/hr
Temperature: -1C
Cumulative distance: 1323.565km
Cumulative cost per km: $0.09
Monthly distance: 77.095km
Monthly cost per km: $0

Ride into work for Monday, 03 March

Distance logged: 11.342km
Time: 41:33
Average speed: 16.4km/hr
Max speed: 46.2 km/hr
Temperature: -8C
Cumulative distance: 1311.795km
Cumulative cost per km: $0.09
Monthly distance: 65.325km
Monthly cost per km: $0

Ride for Saturday, 01 March

Down to the farmer's market for my weekly shopping. Nasty headwind on the way there did at least mean I got a tailwind on the way home!

Distance logged: 24.048km
Time: 90:35
Average speed: 15.9km/hr
Max speed: 45.3 km/hr
Temperature: -7C to -3C
Cumulative distance: 1300.453km
Cumulative cost per km: $0.09
Monthly distance: 53.983km
Monthly cost per km: $0

Critical mass ride for Friday, 29 February

Critical mass was preety well attended for this time of year, I think we ended up with 16 people or so. There was a ride up the multi storey car park by the hospital to start, followed by another small multi storey at Dal. That was followed by a ride down Quinpool towards Barrington to head to the Dal building where the post-ride movie was. I split after Quinpool as I was meeting someone after. Good ride around though, bodes well for attendance in summer!

Distance logged: 18.767km
Time: 81:15
Average speed: 13.9km/hr
Max speed: 35.4 km/hr
Temperature: -10C to -12C
Cumulative distance: 1276.405km
Cumulative cost per km: $0.09
Monthly distance: 29.935km
Monthly cost per km: $0

Ride into work for Friday, 29 February

Distance logged: 11.168km
Time: 37:37
Average speed: 17.8km/hr
Max speed: 48.6 km/hr
Temperature: -14C, sunny
Cumulative distance: 1257.638km
Cumulative cost per km: $0.1
Monthly distance: 11.168km
Monthly cost per km: $0