Biking in Halifax, Nova Scotia

Ride for Saturday, 28 June

2008-06-29T23:05:00.000-03:00

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

2008-06-29T23:03:00.000-03:00

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

2008-06-29T22:35:00.000-03:00

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

2008-06-29T20:05:00.001-03:00

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

2008-06-26T22:03:00.011-03:00

Ride into work for Thursday, 26 June

2008-06-26T22:02:00.001-03:00

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

2008-06-26T22:02:00.000-03:00

Ride home for Wednesday, 25 June

2008-06-25T22:14:00.001-03:00

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

2008-06-25T22:12:00.001-03:00

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

2008-06-24T21:35:00.002-03:00

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

2008-06-24T21:33:00.002-03:00

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

2008-06-24T21:30:00.002-03:00

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

2008-06-23T21:46:00.002-03:00

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

2008-06-23T21:41:00.002-03:00

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

2008-06-22T19:33:00.002-03:00

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

2008-06-22T19:28:00.001-03:00

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

2008-06-22T19:26:00.002-03:00

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

2008-06-22T19:24:00.000-03:00

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

2008-06-22T19:20:00.002-03:00

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

2008-06-17T21:07:00.004-03:00

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

2008-06-17T21:07:00.001-03:00

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

2008-06-17T21:02:00.002-03:00

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

2008-06-17T21:00:00.000-03:00

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

2008-06-17T20:58:00.001-03:00

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

2008-06-17T20:56:00.001-03:00

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