Ride for Saturday, 28 June

Down to the farmer's market to do my weekly shopping.

Distance logged: 25.802km
Time: 85:03
Average speed: 18.1km/hr
Max speed: 46.3 km/hr
Temperature: 14C, cloudy, intermittent light showers
Cumulative distance: 3672.446km
Cumulative cost per km: $0.13
Monthly distance: 705.124km
Monthly cost per km: $0.25

Critical mass ride for Friday, 27 June

It looked like it was going to rain but then at about 10 minutes to 6 the sun suddenly came out and it was a warm sunny day. There was a big turnout again this month, with an initial count of 260 and a count at the end of the ride of 290 riders. It was a nice relaxed ride, and although I heard of one person getting assaulted by a motorist I know the guy in question and I rather suspect he wound up the motorist to get them to come after him. Other than that the ride was peaceful, albeit with a relatively heavy police presence since there was an after-party at Chebucto Road to protest the widening (and expropriation of peoples' front yards). The bike police attended and did a sterling job of corking at traffic lights. I overheard a piece of comedy gold from one cyclist who was corking at an intersection after a driver waited asked him what it was all about: "it's a monthly ride for cyclists in Halifax to come together as a community to have a safe ride together. Also it's just a fucking sweet time." The ride ended at the church on Chebucto with most of the riders going on to the after-party which went on for several hours, although I had to leave to see a friend.

The local paper had an article on it which had some laughably inane statements, calling it a "mini Tour de France" (if the Tour de France had an average speed of 8km/hr), and that traffic was backed up for "nearly a kilometre" - which was odd, as I was at the back of the ride several times and I didn't see much traffic behind. The comments underneath from some of the readers were also somewhat shortsighted in places...

I took quite a few pictures, some of note were:

HCC co-chair looking particularly debonair
Someone brought their dog and flowers (!) for a ride
Neskie came with his new bike design, a frameless bike
Jamieson with the most chopped bars I've ever seen (and possibly looking where he shouldn't have been)
Dave and Mike Plow enjoying the ride
Nova Scotia flag on the helmet
Father and son enjoying the ride
Youngest rider with a very snappily dressed mother
Dave towing a couple of passengers (I think he had a total of 8 different passengers on there through the ride)
Xtracycle!
Bike police corking for us
HCC's new Director of Education and Advocacy gathering material
Dave pulling a passenger wearing his bike
Police presence on Chebucto
Expect Delays
Bike lift

Distance logged: 21.862km
Time: 101:48
Average speed: 12.9km/hr
Max speed: 42.5 km/hr
Temperature: 19C, sunny
Cumulative distance: 3646.644km
Cumulative cost per km: $0.13
Monthly distance: 679.322km
Monthly cost per km: $0.26

Ride into work for Friday, 27 June

Distance logged: 13.686km
Time: 39:29
Average speed: 20.8km/hr
Max speed: 56.5 km/hr
Temperature: 16C
Cumulative distance: 3624.782km
Cumulative cost per km: $0.13
Monthly distance: 657.460km
Monthly cost per km: $0.26

Ride home for Thursday, 26 June

Went into MEC at lunch to pick up a pair of bike shorts since I managed to wear out a pair, and while I was there saw the FR shirts were on sale so I picked up the last two in my size - more specifically, the last two in my size that weren't ghastly blue.

Went to the HCC AGM after work, it was somewhat sparsely attended (probably due to the warm weather - it was much more fun outside!) but there were enough members for a quorum so we got our business done. There's some new blood on the board which is good to see, and a few shuffles in position. I stayed on as membership director through general acclamation (since no-one stood against me). There was also a presentation from HRM on infrastructure, and the presenter was very honest about the shortcomings of the bike plan (and seemed particularly bitter about the slashing of funding for biking in Halifax, and told us to contact our local councilor to urge more funding).

Distance logged: 12.754km
Time: 36:35
Average speed: 20.9km/hr
Max speed: 62.5 km/hr
Temperature: 20C
Cumulative distance: 3611.096km
Cumulative cost per km: $0.13
Monthly distance: 643.774km
Monthly cost per km: $0.27

Ride home for Thursday, 26 June

Went into MEC at lunch to pick up a pair of bike shorts since I managed to wear out a pair, and while I was there saw the FR shirts were on sale so I picked up the last two in my size - more specifically, the last two in my size that weren't ghastly blue.

Went to the HCC AGM after work, it was somewhat sparsely attended (probably due to the warm weather - it was much more fun outside!) but there were enough members for a quorum so we got our business done. There's some new blood on the board which is good to see, and a few shuffles in position. I stayed on as membership director through general acclamation (since no-one stood against me). There was also a presentation from HRM on infrastructure, and the presenter was very honest about the shortcomings of the bike plan (and seemed particularly bitter about the slashing of funding for biking in Halifax, and told us to contact our local councilor to urge more funding).

Distance logged: 12.754km
Time: 36:35
Average speed: 20.9km/hr
Max speed: 62.5 km/hr
Temperature: 20C
Cumulative distance: 3611.096km
Cumulative cost per km: $0.13
Monthly distance: 643.774km
Monthly cost per km: $0.27

Ride into work for Thursday, 26 June

Distance logged: 10.831km
Time: 28:23
Average speed: 22.9km/hr
Max speed: 66.4 km/hr
Temperature: 17C, sunny
Cumulative distance: 3598.342km
Cumulative cost per km: $0.1
Monthly distance: 631.020km
Monthly cost per km: $0.11

Ride into work for Thursday, 26 June

Distance logged: 10.831km
Time: 28:23
Average speed: 22.9km/hr
Max speed: 66.4 km/hr
Temperature: 17C, sunny
Cumulative distance: 3598.342km
Cumulative cost per km: $0.1
Monthly distance: 631.020km
Monthly cost per km: $0.11

Ride home for Wednesday, 25 June

The ride up the col du Fairview hinted at me that I might perhaps have been partaking of a few too many of the free muffins, scones, tea biscuits, pastries, cookies and cans of Sprite while I'm off on training... *cough*

Distance logged: 14.670km
Time: 43:11
Average speed: 20.4km/hr
Max speed: 48.8 km/hr
Temperature: 24C, sunny
Cumulative distance: 3587.511km
Cumulative cost per km: $0.1
Monthly distance: 620.189km
Monthly cost per km: $0.11

Ride into work for Wednesday, 25 June

First really warm and sunny morning of the year, enhanced by the fact that the chain no longer slipped when I was pedalling...

Distance logged: 11.446km
Time: 26:31
Average speed: 25.9km/hr
Max speed: 60.5 km/hr
Temperature: 16C, sunny
Cumulative distance: 3572.841km
Cumulative cost per km: $0.1
Monthly distance: 605.519km
Monthly cost per km: $0.11

Halifax Cycling Coalition AGM

The HCC's AGM is this Thursday. I will be attending and will be putting myself forward for another term as membership director.

Here is the official announcement:

The Halifax Cycling Coalition's Annual General Meeting is quickly approaching. Come on out Thursday June 26th to join a variety of committees, run for a position of the HCC's Board of Directors or listen and ask questions to several of the HRM's Transportation staff.

The evening kicks off with a presentation from Roxanne MacInnis, HRM's Transportation Demand Management Planner, followed by a question and answer period. Afterwards, HCC Directors will give reports on the progress of the coalition and we will make motions to create new committees. We will also hold elections; with the terms of our elected officers up, this will be a chance for you to get more involved in the coalition. Check back here soon for descriptions of these positions.

So mark next Thursday June 26th in your calendars! Here are the details:

What: The Halifax Cycling Coalition's Annual General Meeting
When: Thursday June 26th from 7:00 - 9:00
Where: Potter Auditorium, 1st Floor K. Rowe Management Building, Dalhousie
University, 6100 University Avenue, Halifax

Spread the word!

Jared Kolb
Co-Chair, Halifax Cycling Coalition
www.cyclehalifax.ca

Ride home for Tuesday, 24 June

Went into IdealBikes at lunchtime and picked up a new cassette. I was hoping to get two cassettes, one mountain bike Shimano cassette and one steel Sram road cassette, and combine the two together. Unfortunately they were all out of Sram cassettes so I just had to get the Shimano.

Went over to MEC afterwards and picked up a new bike computer and a new cable lock, as mine is starting to disintegrate after a few years of fairly heavy wear.

Distance logged: 12.617km
Time: 36:14
Average speed: 20.9km/hr
Max speed: 46.9 km/hr
Temperature:
Cumulative distance: 3561.395km
Cumulative cost per km: $0.1
Monthly distance: 594.073km
Monthly cost per km: $0.11

Ride into work for Tuesday, 24 June

Tricky ride in, as my cassette and chain fairly comprehensively gave up the ghost, leaving me with only the bottom three gears usable. I ended up playing games cross-chaining in order to get me into work, which was (to say the least) rather fiddly.

Distance logged: 12.668km
Time: 33:38
Average speed: 22.6km/hr
Max speed: 59.0 km/hr
Temperature: 16C, foggy
Cumulative distance: 3548.778km
Cumulative cost per km: $0.09
Monthly distance: 581.456km
Monthly cost per km: $0.02

Ride home for Monday, 23 June

I was surprised on my way home to see how badly gridlocked downtown Halifax has become in the past year. I was the fastest moving object on the road - or more precisely, the only moving object on the road for large sections, particularly along Spring Garden Road which was at an absolute standstill for pretty much the entire length...

Distance logged: 14.289km
Time: 41:37
Average speed: 20.6km/hr
Max speed: 52.4 km/hr
Temperature: 24C, sunny
Cumulative distance: 3536.110km
Cumulative cost per km: $0.09
Monthly distance: 568.788km
Monthly cost per km: $0.02

Ride into work for Monday, 23 June

In training this week down at Cogswell Tower where I used to work. Set off rather early so I had some time to spin around for a bit, still had time to sit around and drink a coffee once I got there.

Distance logged: 12.771km
Time: 32:31
Average speed: 23.6km/hr
Max speed: 57.7 km/hr
Temperature: 17C, foggy
Cumulative distance: 3521.821km
Cumulative cost per km: $0.09
Monthly distance: 554.499km
Monthly cost per km: $0.02

Ride for Saturday, 21 June

Down to the farmer's market for my weekly shopping. As I was riding down Sackville at a rate of knots I hit a bump and my bike computer went flying, close examination of the street didn't reveal where it landed so I'm guessing it went down a sewer grate. I pulled the numbers off my GPS instead, which seems to have inflated both distance and time a little from my usual values...

Distance logged: 26.337km
Time: 93:52
Average speed: 16.8km/hr
Max speed: 50.2 km/hr
Temperature:
Cumulative distance: 3509.050km
Cumulative cost per km: $0.09
Monthly distance: 541.728km
Monthly cost per km: $0.02

Ride home for Friday, 20 June

The temperature was nominally 23C but setting off it felt more like 13C with a chill sea breeze. By the time I hit Col du Fairview it had warmed up significantly to perhaps over 23C...

Distance logged: 13.294km
Time: 34:56
Average speed: 22.8km/hr
Max speed: 47.6 km/hr
Temperature: 23C, sunny
Cumulative distance: 3482.713km
Cumulative cost per km: $0.09
Monthly distance: 515.391km
Monthly cost per km: $0.02

Ride into work for Friday, 20 June

Distance logged: 11.060km
Time: 27:11
Average speed: 24.4km/hr
Max speed: 56.8 km/hr
Temperature: 10C, foggy
Cumulative distance: 3469.419km
Cumulative cost per km: $0.09
Monthly distance: 502.097km
Monthly cost per km: $0.02

Ride home for Thursday, 19 June

Distance logged: 13.482km
Time: 37:26
Average speed: 21.6km/hr
Max speed: 48.4 km/hr
Temperature: 20C, sunny
Cumulative distance: 3458.359km
Cumulative cost per km: $0.09
Monthly distance: 491.037km
Monthly cost per km: $0.02

Ride into work for Thursday, 19 June

No ride yesterday as I was working from home grinding through an APAR upgrade session for a new version of Oracle.

Down to Bedford for a physio visit, then in to work, interrupted only by a call from the helpdesk from someone needing a password reset.

Distance logged: 29.389km
Time: 67:28
Average speed: 26.1km/hr
Max speed: 60.1 km/hr
Temperature: 10C-15C
Cumulative distance: 3444.877km
Cumulative cost per km: $0.09
Monthly distance: 477.555km
Monthly cost per km: $0.02

Ride home for Tuesday, 17 June

Picked up a bike trailer after work so I can now haul around some heavier loads. It was interesting hauling it back on the road bike (since my hybrid is still being worked on), though I didn't have any complaints from motorists about taking the lane since the trailer was wide enough to take up a fairly large chunk of it...

Distance logged: 13.375km
Time: 47:03
Average speed: 16.9km/hr
Max speed: 51.0 km/hr
Temperature: 15C, intermittent spots of rain
Cumulative distance: 3415.488km
Cumulative cost per km: $0.09
Monthly distance: 448.166km
Monthly cost per km: $0.02

Ride into work for Tuesday, 17 June

Distance logged: 11.254km
Time: 31:25
Average speed: 21.5km/hr
Max speed: 58.1 km/hr
Temperature: 13C
Cumulative distance: 3402.113km
Cumulative cost per km: $0.09
Monthly distance: 434.791km
Monthly cost per km: $0.02

Ride home for Monday, 16 June

Went down to IdealBikes to see if any bikes needed photos taken, but was told that it was only worth taking photos of the high end bikes as the others are going out the door faster than I can get them up on the web site! I'd already taken pictures of all the high end bikes there so I hung out for a while and spotted a Park freewheel remover that was compatible with a nutted axle, which I needed for a project I'm working on so I picked it up. Went to a directors' meeting of the HCC and after that dropped over to a friend's place for a while before heading home.

Distance logged: 19.555km
Time: 53:32
Average speed: 21.9km/hr
Max speed: 47.0 km/hr
Temperature: 16C-15C
Cumulative distance: 3390.859km
Cumulative cost per km: $0.09
Monthly distance: 423.537km
Monthly cost per km: $0.02

Ride into work for Monday, 16 June

Distance logged: 11.299km
Time: 29:20
Average speed: 23.1km/hr
Max speed: 58.6 km/hr
Temperature: 11C
Cumulative distance: 3371.304km
Cumulative cost per km: $0.09
Monthly distance: 403.982km
Monthly cost per km: $0

Ride for Saturday, 14 June

Down to the farmer's market for my weekly shopping, then over to Sobey's for some odds and ends.

Distance logged: 27.533km
Time: 92:47
Average speed: 17.8km/hr
Max speed: 47.6 km/hr
Temperature: 13C-17C
Cumulative distance: 3360.005km
Cumulative cost per km: $0.09
Monthly distance: 392.683km
Monthly cost per km: $0

Ride home for Friday, 13 June

A similarly uneventful ride home...

Distance logged: 11.833km
Time: 32:59
Average speed: 21.5km/hr
Max speed: 50.8 km/hr
Temperature: 15C, sunny
Cumulative distance: 3332.472km
Cumulative cost per km: $0.09
Monthly distance: 365.150km
Monthly cost per km: $0

Ride into work for Friday, 13 June

Surprisingly quiet day on the roads, presumably because of the allegedly inauspicious date. Seemed fine to me.

Distance logged: 11.532km
Time: 29:19
Average speed: 23.6km/hr
Max speed: 62.0 km/hr
Temperature: 13C, sunny
Cumulative distance: 3320.639km
Cumulative cost per km: $0.09
Monthly distance: 353.317km
Monthly cost per km: $0

Ride home for Thursday, 12 June

Distance logged: 13.450km
Time: 40:31
Average speed: 19.9km/hr
Max speed: 48.1 km/hr
Temperature: 18C
Cumulative distance: 3309.107km
Cumulative cost per km: $0.09
Monthly distance: 341.785km
Monthly cost per km: $0

Ride into work for Thursday, 12 June

Distance logged: 28.137km
Time: 63:12
Average speed: 26.7km/hr
Max speed: 56.4 km/hr
Temperature: 15C
Cumulative distance: 3295.657km
Cumulative cost per km: $0.09
Monthly distance: 328.335km
Monthly cost per km: $0

Ride home for Wednesday, 11 June

Distance logged: 11.736km
Time: 34:43
Average speed: 20.3km/hr
Max speed: 48.2 km/hr
Temperature: 17C
Cumulative distance: 3267.520km
Cumulative cost per km: $0.09
Monthly distance: 300.198km
Monthly cost per km: $0

Ride into work for Wednesday, 11 June

Distance logged: 10.917km
Time: 30:42
Average speed: 21.3km/hr
Max speed: 50.1 km/hr
Temperature: 11C
Cumulative distance: 3255.784km
Cumulative cost per km: $0.09
Monthly distance: 288.462km
Monthly cost per km: $0

Ride home for Tuesday, 10 June

Not as nice a day as yesterday, but at least the rain held off...

Distance logged: 13.373km
Time: 41:59
Average speed: 19.1km/hr
Max speed: 44.7 km/hr
Temperature: 13C
Cumulative distance: 3244.867km
Cumulative cost per km: $0.09
Monthly distance: 277.545km
Monthly cost per km: $0

Ride into work for Tuesday, 10 June

Down to Bedford for a physio appointment, I'm having an extra one this week for a minor injury from winter that's flared up.

Had to push it on the way into work after I got a call, managed to get to downtown Halifax from Bedford in under 45 minutes, which isn't too bad.

Distance logged: 27.590km
Time: 72:17
Average speed: 22.9km/hr
Max speed: 56.8 km/hr
Temperature: 9C
Cumulative distance: 3231.494km
Cumulative cost per km: $0.09
Monthly distance: 264.172km
Monthly cost per km: $0

Ride home for Monday, 09 June

Nice ride home, good to get a blast of summer but I was absolutely dripping by the time I climbed to the top of Fairview...

Distance logged: 11.833km
Time: 35:08
Average speed: 20.2km/hr
Max speed: 50.4 km/hr
Temperature: 24C, sunny
Cumulative distance: 3203.904km
Cumulative cost per km: $0.09
Monthly distance: 236.582km
Monthly cost per km: $0

Ride into work for Monday, 09 June

Nice sunny day, so I thought I'd take advantage and ride around a bit more...

Distance logged: 14.956km
Time: 41:32
Average speed: 21.6km/hr
Max speed: 57.2 km/hr
Temperature: 16C, sunny
Cumulative distance: 3192.071km
Cumulative cost per km: $0.09
Monthly distance: 224.749km
Monthly cost per km: $0

Ride home for Friday, 06 June

Rode the Bike Week Friday after-work ride. There weren't so many showed up for that as for Critical Mass last week, but there were still 20-30 or so. The ride was done in single file, following the rules of the road, and seemed to annoy drivers more than anything else - it was dangerous for them to pass, but they couldn't pass anyway because the line was so long...

After that was an alleycat down at Ideal. I managed, for the first time in my less than illustrious career in racing, something other than DFL and DNF! I managed to finish in front of both Krow and Carter! However, I learned at the race that drinking a Red Bull (courtesy of the girls who brought in a container full) followed by a Propellor Pale Ale (courtesy of Steve, one of the couriers) was not a great idea.

Distance logged: 47.333km
Time: 148:16
Average speed: 19.2km/hr
Max speed: 47.2 km/hr
Temperature: 17C-9C
Cumulative distance: 3177.115km
Cumulative cost per km: $0.09
Monthly distance: 209.793km
Monthly cost per km: $0

Ride into work for Friday, 06 June

Distance logged: 11.218km
Time: 30:53
Average speed: 21.8km/hr
Max speed: 60.5 km/hr
Temperature: 9C
Cumulative distance: 3129.782km
Cumulative cost per km: $0.09
Monthly distance: 162.460km
Monthly cost per km: $0

Ride home for Thursday, 05 June

Rode out to a Bike Week event, the Bike Social. This was held at Anchor Archive, a library for e-zines and other material, as well as a workshop. I ended up getting rather chilly and sat around the fire, joining in the fun poking at the burning logs and throwing in any burnable material to hand. Met Hanita there, after she talked about "this guy called Steve who runs a blog about Biking in Halifax"...

Ended up riding home around 10-11pm, with a strong smell of woodsmoke.

Distance logged: 12.897km
Time: 41:25
Average speed: 18.7km/hr
Max speed: 43.1 km/hr
Temperature: 16C-8C
Cumulative distance: 3118.564km
Cumulative cost per km: $0.09
Monthly distance: 151.242km
Monthly cost per km: $0

Ride into work for Thursday, 05 June

Distance logged: 11.162km
Time: 32:25
Average speed: 20.7km/hr
Max speed: 58.1 km/hr
Temperature: 12C
Cumulative distance: 3105.667km
Cumulative cost per km: $0.09
Monthly distance: 138.345km
Monthly cost per km: $0

Ride for Wednesday, 04 June

Down to Bedford for my weekly physio. Had yet another muppet encounter on the way home, there was work going on on the Bedford Highway and the cycle lane was closed (since it was being dug up for, I believe, a new sewer line) and the road coned down to one lane in each direction. The driver behind me seemed to think I should be on the bike lane even though it was dug up and laid on her horn to express her feelings. The workmen digging up the bike lane stood up and watched her go past, shaking their heads, so I don't think it was just me...

Got interviewed by CBC Main Street today as part of bike week and had the chance to burble on for a few minutes about how to start commuting if you're not fit enough (drive in part of the way and cycle the rest, or ride as far as you can then grab a bus with a bike rack on it), the differences between cycling in Halifax and London (more people - Wikipedia says 373 thousand vs 7.4 million), and what cycling is like in Nova Scotia (renowned worldwide for bike touring and quiet enjoyable roads, once you're away from Halifax). Hopefully it'll inspire a few more people to start biking around Halifax...

Ironically enough, on bike to work day I worked from home.

Distance logged: 20.952km
Time: 50:05
Average speed: 24.7km/hr
Max speed: 62.9 km/hr
Temperature: 14C-17C, cloudy
Cumulative distance: 3094.505km
Cumulative cost per km: $0.09
Monthly distance: 127.183km
Monthly cost per km: $0

Ride home for Tuesday, 03 June

No muppets this evening, but I did see a gentleman on what looked like a full suspension mountain bike doing an impressive trackstand as he was waiting for the lights to cross Joe Howe on Bayers as I came out of Bulk Barn...

Distance logged: 11.701km
Time: 33:03
Average speed: 21km/hr
Max speed: 48.4 km/hr
Temperature: 17C, cloudy
Cumulative distance: 3073.553km
Cumulative cost per km: $0.1
Monthly distance: 106.231km
Monthly cost per km: $0

Ride into work for Tuesday, 03 June

Today's muppet (I seem to be going through a rash of them) was on Vernon. After repeatedly getting stuck behind me because she was driving some weedy little car with no acceleration from stop signs she tried to overtake me as I was approaching the intersection with Coburg and signalling left. I rode around her and looked back at her as she mouthed something at me through the windscreen, so I waved my hand to the left and said, "I have a pineapple in my left hand and it goes up and down" on the grounds that she wouldn't be able to hear me anyway so I might as well have some fun with her. After toying with her uttering surrealistic nonsensities for a while the traffic in front cleared and I was able to cross and continue on my way.

Distance logged: 11.241km
Time: 29:36
Average speed: 22.8km/hr
Max speed: 55.6 km/hr
Temperature: 12C, sunny
Cumulative distance: 3061.852km
Cumulative cost per km: $0.1
Monthly distance: 94.530km
Monthly cost per km: $0

Ride home for Monday, 02 June

Down to Park Lane Cinema for another bike week event. The HCC board was there selling T-shirts and memberships, and lots of bikey people turned up - I think over 50 in the end. The Atlantic Film Co-op had brought together several short bike related movies for us to watch:

*Copenhagen Cycles, a rather bizarre movie that seemed to be clips of bikes and boats in Copenhagen displayed through a kaleidoscope.
*Contested Streets, a movie about the history of the streets in New York, with interesting comparisons with Copenhagen, London and Paris.
* The Ramblers: Halifax synchronised bike team, a 1 minute short of a bike team doing synchronised biking through the north end of Halifax.
* White vans, basically about bike theft with some of the biggest laughs coming from random peoples' descriptions of what they'd like to do to bike thieves - the RN in particular had some ingenious ideas...
* Bat for Lashes - "what's a girl to do", a music video with some particularly ingenious effect - the stunt at around 0:40 in that video was particularly effective on the wide screen!

Distance logged: 10.402km
Time: 35:04
Average speed: 17.5km/hr
Max speed: 42 km/hr
Temperature: 13C
Cumulative distance: 3050.611km
Cumulative cost per km: $0.1
Monthly distance: 83.289km
Monthly cost per km: $0

Ride into work for Monday, 02 June

Had another encounter with a muppet this morning, on the Halifax Shopping Centre access Road approaching Bayers. He pulled up next to me straddling the lanes and wound down his window and we had the following conversation:

Muppet: "The rules of the road apply to you too"
Me: "Huh?"
Muppet: "You're supposed to stop at stop signs"
[I'd just rolled through the stop sign at the bottom of the dip as there was no traffic coming]
Me: "There was no traffic coming, I slowed down and checked"
Muppet: "You're supposed to come to a complete stop, the rules of the road apply to you"
Me: "So, you come to a complete stop at every stop sign?"
Muppet: "No, and I've got a ticket for it, so you should stop at the stop sign or you'll get a ticket"
Me: "No, there was no other traffic there or approaching, I checked, and why should I listen to you when you don't follow the rules of the road anyway? Are you a police officer?"
Muppet: "You're supposed to stop at stop signs, it's the law"
Me: "And yet you just admitted you don't stop at stop signs... I'm not seeing your point here, what are you trying to tell me?"
Muppet: "You're supposed to stop at stop signs, it's the rules of the road!"

Unfortunately at this point the lights changed and I had to leave this scintillating conversation...

Distance logged: 10.959km
Time: 28:27
Average speed: 23.1km/hr
Max speed: 58.3 km/hr
Temperature: 9C
Cumulative distance: 3040.209km
Cumulative cost per km: $0.1
Monthly distance: 72.887km
Monthly cost per km: $0

Ride for Saturday, 31 May

Down to the farmer's market and the butcher's to do my weekly shopping.

Distance logged: 25.074km
Time: 83:51
Average speed: 17.9km/hr
Max speed: 53 km/hr
Temperature: 15C
Cumulative distance: 3029.250km
Cumulative cost per km: $0.1
Monthly distance: 61.928km
Monthly cost per km: $0

Critical mass ride for Friday, 30 May

Nice sunny day for Critical Mass and there was a good turnout - I don't know if anyone counted but it was definitely in the hundreds, possibly approaching a thousand. The ride started with a swing up Queen Street, where I stopped to take photos as quickly as I could as the riders (and rollerblader!) streamed their way past me for almost three minutes!

From Spring Garden we went on to Brunswick to Sackville then back round all the way up Spring Garden on to Summer Street where a traffic jam formed from all the cyclists on the road, and there was much jovial muttering of "this would be so much easier without all these cyclists on the road!". Eventually we got to Vernon, then on to Quinpool to Oxford; I decided to see how long the ride was at this point and rode up to the front, as near as I could tell it was stretched out or about 2km.

After working our way round and ending up at Young Street we went down Agricola past the Cultural Centre and round the Commons for a loop before back to the Italian Cultural Centre for the Bicycle Jamboree (with free valet bike parking!)

Full gallery of pictures here, some of my favourites:

HCC T-Shirt was well represented!
This trailer had a bubble blowing machine on the back.
Lots of smiling people on the ride.
Quite a few children came with their parents.
This guy was kneeling in the back of the trailer the whole ride - I hope his knees were ok!
Drum machine trike.
Bob White, biking supremo.
Nice pair of matching choppers - one pink, one blue.
Spot the happy face


Distance logged: 25.589km
Time: 105:51
Average speed: 14.5km/hr
Max speed: 48.5 km/hr
Temperature: 17C, sunny
Cumulative distance: 3004.176km
Cumulative cost per km: $0.1
Monthly distance: 36.854km
Monthly cost per km: $0

Ride into work for Friday, 30 May

Distance logged: 11.265km
Time: 27:58
Average speed: 24.2km/hr
Max speed: 62.5 km/hr
Temperature: 9C, clear
Cumulative distance: 2978.587km
Cumulative cost per km: $0.1
Monthly distance: 11.265km
Monthly cost per km: $0