[obc] FW: Report from the happy adventurer
For those of you who know André, he has now completed his cross-Canada cycle tour and is debating whether to cycle back to Ottawa. What a guy! Barbara Wilson, OBC member BMWILSON Cataloguing Section 404 La Promenade Library of Parliament Ottawa, Ont. (613) 995-3077 [EMAIL PROTECTED] -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Sent: August 11, 2002 12:57 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; [EMAIL PROTECTED]; [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Report from the happy adventurer Hi all, Phase 1 of adventure was officaly over on Aug/3/02. That's when I arrived in St John's NF. Some brief Stats: Victoria to St John's 7,230 kilometers. Hours in the saddle 438 Days in the saddle 62 I dumped 1/2 of my bottle of Mile -0- Pacific water, that I pedalled across the country, in the St'John's Harbour and the other half on top of signal hill. Yes I pedalled up there with all off my (80 llbs of gear) load. So now my load is approx 6 ozs (of sea water) lighter and I guestimate approx 15 llbs less body weight. It's amazing, my pot belly is almost disapeared. Phase 2: I then proceeded to find a large enough parking lot to make a U-Turn with my rig and started to head back West. Today, Sunday Morning, I arrived in Halifax. Really the Maritimes are a dream to cycle through. I plan on spending a few days here to visit the city as this is the first time that I've been in Halifax. I'm also having an argument with myself on wether I should get transported back to Ottawa or cycle back... The cycling is so enjoyable that I may just decide to do that. If I do I'll be making my way to Yarmouth NS, Ferry to Portland Maine, over the Appalachians and back to Ottawa via Cornwall. This has been such a pleasant experience. I've met so many strangers whom I cycled with, and they became friends. I've had many experiences, most good, but of course a few bad ones, those I tend to put aside and forget real quickly. I'm staying in a Residence in Dalhousie University during my stay in Halifax. Keeping this short for now, however, as those of you who know me well enough, you know that I'll have plenty of stories, anecdotes and tons of pictures to show, when I get back, sometimes around the end of August. Miss you all and looking forward to seeing you all when return. Andre - For list help, please send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Club Office: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (613) 230-1064 Website: [EMAIL PROTECTED]http://www.cyberus.ca/~obcweb Newsletter: [EMAIL PROTECTED] - ==^ This email was sent to: archive@jab.org EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?aVxiDo.a2i8p1 Or send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] T O P I C A -- Register now to manage your mail! http://www.topica.com/partner/tag02/register ==^
FW: [obc] Champlain Bridge - Oh dear!
I used the bridge last week in the morning and encountered 3 other cyclists using the Northbound lane to go South. Normally when I encounter a person on a bike riding toward me, I inform them in no uncertain terms where they belong. But in this case, since there were 2 of them together and the bridge was newly opened, I thought there might be some stupid rule allowing 2 directions in one lane. But such was not the case. I can't figure out why people are doing this, as there are wide lanes on both sides for cyclists. Funny you witnessed the same thing Eric. It's beyond my comprehension. I don't think the white line is the reason for this but I agree with Eric that perhaps confusion for motorists might be avoided by removing the white line. Or, what about painting a bicycle symbol in the lane and an arrow indicating one way. Or overhead light indicators as used in the motorists lanes. As for the crud collecting along the side, that will happen with or without bike lanes. Still and all, a huge improvement, IMHO. Sally (OBC member) -Original Message- From: Wright, Eric [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Sent: Monday, August 12, 2002 11:57 AM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: RE: [obc] Champlain Bridge - Oh dear! Insanity prevails. I drove the bridge last night. I ask why demark the bicycle/trash lane at all? I witnessed it promote poor behaviour from both a bike rider and a car: -Bike traveling southbound on the northbound side. -Car using it as a right-turn lane as you exit the bridge northbound. To a standard citizen, a white line on the right suggests a paved shoulder (upon which traffic should not be travelling). Save the paint, why not just a WIDE right lane? - For list help, please send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Club Office: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (613) 230-1064 Website: [EMAIL PROTECTED]http://www.cyberus.ca/~obcweb Newsletter: [EMAIL PROTECTED] - - For list help, please send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Club Office: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (613) 230-1064 Website: [EMAIL PROTECTED]http://www.cyberus.ca/~obcweb Newsletter: [EMAIL PROTECTED] - ==^ This email was sent to: archive@jab.org EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?aVxiDo.a2i8p1 Or send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] T O P I C A -- Register now to manage your mail! http://www.topica.com/partner/tag02/register ==^
RE: [obc] Champlain Bridge - Oh dear!
The problem is historical - before renovations were complete, cyclists in both directions were obliged to use the northbound sidewalk - I'm sure there are many that are still unware that a southbound bike lane even exists ! If you are coming west along the north shore bikeway, you must pass under the bridge in order to reach the southbound bike lane - this access is not intuitively obvious to anyone who is used to exiting onto the lower Aylmer Road to gain access to the formarly bidirectional bike lane. -Original Message- From: Datars Sally [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Sent: Monday, August 12, 2002 12:14 PM To: 'OBC' Subject: FW: [obc] Champlain Bridge - Oh dear! I used the bridge last week in the morning and encountered 3 other cyclists using the Northbound lane to go South. Normally when I encounter a person on a bike riding toward me, I inform them in no uncertain terms where they belong. But in this case, since there were 2 of them together and the bridge was newly opened, I thought there might be some stupid rule allowing 2 directions in one lane. But such was not the case. I can't figure out why people are doing this, as there are wide lanes on both sides for cyclists. Funny you witnessed the same thing Eric. It's beyond my comprehension. I don't think the white line is the reason for this but I agree with Eric that perhaps confusion for motorists might be avoided by removing the white line. Or, what about painting a bicycle symbol in the lane and an arrow indicating one way. Or overhead light indicators as used in the motorists lanes. As for the crud collecting along the side, that will happen with or without bike lanes. Still and all, a huge improvement, IMHO. Sally (OBC member) -Original Message- From: Wright, Eric [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Sent: Monday, August 12, 2002 11:57 AM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: RE: [obc] Champlain Bridge - Oh dear! Insanity prevails. I drove the bridge last night. I ask why demark the bicycle/trash lane at all? I witnessed it promote poor behaviour from both a bike rider and a car: -Bike traveling southbound on the northbound side. -Car using it as a right-turn lane as you exit the bridge northbound. To a standard citizen, a white line on the right suggests a paved shoulder (upon which traffic should not be travelling). Save the paint, why not just a WIDE right lane? - For list help, please send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Club Office: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (613) 230-1064 Website: [EMAIL PROTECTED]http://www.cyberus.ca/~obcweb Newsletter: [EMAIL PROTECTED] - - For list help, please send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Club Office: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (613) 230-1064 Website: [EMAIL PROTECTED]http://www.cyberus.ca/~obcweb Newsletter: [EMAIL PROTECTED] - - For list help, please send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Club Office: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (613) 230-1064 Website: [EMAIL PROTECTED]http://www.cyberus.ca/~obcweb Newsletter: [EMAIL PROTECTED] - ==^ This email was sent to: archive@jab.org EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?aVxiDo.a2i8p1 Or send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] T O P I C A -- Register now to manage your mail! http://www.topica.com/partner/tag02/register ==^
RE: [obc] Champlain Bridge - Oh dear!
Sounds like they at least need to add a bit more paint and paint arrows indicating that the lanes are one way only. Although, I do agree that one wide lane is better than painting a bike lane. To the uninitiated, it all looks good on paper. How about we try and get the NCC road engineer folks to ride the damn thing! :-) David Bilenkey -Original Message- From: Les Humphreys (K) [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Sent: August 12, 2002 12:26 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; OBC Subject: RE: [obc] Champlain Bridge - Oh dear! The problem is historical - before renovations were complete, cyclists in both directions were obliged to use the northbound sidewalk - I'm sure there are many that are still unware that a southbound bike lane even exists ! If you are coming west along the north shore bikeway, you must pass under the bridge in order to reach the southbound bike lane - this access is not intuitively obvious to anyone who is used to exiting onto the lower Aylmer Road to gain access to the formarly bidirectional bike lane. -Original Message- From: Datars Sally [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Sent: Monday, August 12, 2002 12:14 PM To: 'OBC' Subject: FW: [obc] Champlain Bridge - Oh dear! I used the bridge last week in the morning and encountered 3 other cyclists using the Northbound lane to go South. Normally when I encounter a person on a bike riding toward me, I inform them in no uncertain terms where they belong. But in this case, since there were 2 of them together and the bridge was newly opened, I thought there might be some stupid rule allowing 2 directions in one lane. But such was not the case. I can't figure out why people are doing this, as there are wide lanes on both sides for cyclists. Funny you witnessed the same thing Eric. It's beyond my comprehension. I don't think the white line is the reason for this but I agree with Eric that perhaps confusion for motorists might be avoided by removing the white line. Or, what about painting a bicycle symbol in the lane and an arrow indicating one way. Or overhead light indicators as used in the motorists lanes. As for the crud collecting along the side, that will happen with or without bike lanes. Still and all, a huge improvement, IMHO. Sally (OBC member) -Original Message- From: Wright, Eric [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Sent: Monday, August 12, 2002 11:57 AM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: RE: [obc] Champlain Bridge - Oh dear! Insanity prevails. I drove the bridge last night. I ask why demark the bicycle/trash lane at all? I witnessed it promote poor behaviour from both a bike rider and a car: -Bike traveling southbound on the northbound side. -Car using it as a right-turn lane as you exit the bridge northbound. To a standard citizen, a white line on the right suggests a paved shoulder (upon which traffic should not be travelling). Save the paint, why not just a WIDE right lane? - For list help, please send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Club Office: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (613) 230-1064 Website: [EMAIL PROTECTED]http://www.cyberus.ca/~obcweb Newsletter: [EMAIL PROTECTED] - ==^ This email was sent to: archive@jab.org EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?aVxiDo.a2i8p1 Or send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] T O P I C A -- Register now to manage your mail! http://www.topica.com/partner/tag02/register ==^
Re: [obc] Champlain Bridge - Oh dear!
Hi All, It's not the road engineer that needs to ride the bike lane, it's the (non-engineer) planner who thinks that the bike lane is a good thing(tm), and _requires_ that any design has a bike lane in it. The same thing happened at with the City when the centre town traffic calming measures were put into place - I remember watching a fellow summer student draft up the Cartier Street mess - the engineers had no choice but to put the measures into the final design, much to their objections. (But I digress...) I rode the Champlain bridge yesterday afternoon from Hull to Ottawa - I didn't feel like holding the 50+ km/h that the traffic was rolling at, so I opted for the bike lane. Two comments * I should have rode in the correct lane (with the traffic). Even when baked, I move quicker then most bike lane occupants (who swerve unpredictably when they hear another cyclist) * The Ottawa end is a real mess. The SAVs (suburban assault vehicles) don't see a cyclist in the bike lane (or even in the traffic lane) when they want to go right (west). And yes, the bike lane does end quickly (!). A repaint of the lines would fix this. I'll keep riding in traffic - I'd rather have someone cursing about the fact that they can't get to the red light fast enough... In the end, I'm glad that the mess is over - anywhere on the road is safer then bumping down the sidewalk... Cheers Peter T. David Bilenkey wrote: Sounds like they at least need to add a bit more paint and paint arrows indicating that the lanes are one way only. Although, I do agree that one wide lane is better than painting a bike lane. To the uninitiated, it all looks good on paper. How about we try and get the NCC road engineer folks to ride the damn thing! :-) David Bilenkey -- -- Peter Tregunno, P.Eng. Edge Networks Designer - Alcatel email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] voice: 613 784 5228 Ride your bike like ya stole it. -- - For list help, please send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Club Office: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (613) 230-1064 Website: [EMAIL PROTECTED]http://www.cyberus.ca/~obcweb Newsletter: [EMAIL PROTECTED] - ==^ This email was sent to: archive@jab.org EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?aVxiDo.a2i8p1 Or send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] T O P I C A -- Register now to manage your mail! http://www.topica.com/partner/tag02/register ==^
RE: [obc] Champlain Bridge - Oh dear!
Instead of sighing out loud on this forum, why not try calling or e-mailing someone at the NCC? The bridge is new, the three lane idea is new problems will be worked out I'm sure but unless they are made aware of the problems they can't be worked out. I doubt anybody from the NCC Engineering Construction branch reads this forum and I no longer work there. Kevin Nelson - For list help, please send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Club Office: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (613) 230-1064 Website: [EMAIL PROTECTED]http://www.cyberus.ca/~obcweb Newsletter: [EMAIL PROTECTED] - ==^ This email was sent to: archive@jab.org EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?aVxiDo.a2i8p1 Or send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] T O P I C A -- Register now to manage your mail! http://www.topica.com/partner/tag02/register ==^
Re: [obc] Champlain Bridge
[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I think the bike lanes on the Champlain Bridge are great, even the painted lines. The other day we were cycling south on the bridge (on the correct side) and we saw a man cycling pulling a baby in a trailer. And what would have happened to this man and baby if he were travelling southbound and followed the big white arrow arrow which directs cyclists to make a right turn directly across the lane of merging traffic? It makes me shudder to think of it. Experienced cyclists know better and will ignore this right turn signal and get on the bike lane *after* the merge lane. One can only hope that novice cyclists (epescially ones with baby trailers) will ignore this brain dead right turn arrow and do the safe thing... Jeffrey - For list help, please send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Club Office: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (613) 230-1064 Website: [EMAIL PROTECTED]http://www.cyberus.ca/~obcweb Newsletter: [EMAIL PROTECTED] - ==^ This email was sent to: archive@jab.org EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?aVxiDo.a2i8p1 Or send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] T O P I C A -- Register now to manage your mail! http://www.topica.com/partner/tag02/register ==^
