Category: Cycling

This summer I rode by bicycle to work 2-3 times a week when I went into the office downtown. With the colder and snowier weather and being a bit lazy for some reason I’ve reverted to taking the van and driving to work.

However, the last could of days I’ve found the traffic just totally frustrating. There were no snow storms, no accidents, no road repairs on my route, just lots of slow moving traffic. On the bike I was so used to just passing by all the “parked cars” going to and from work. Now, just sitting in the van and creeping along to get in and out of the downtown core is just too slow. Perhaps I’m just getting more impatient and need to learn to relax more.

I think not! I just need to get over the cold issue get out there. I know how to ride in the cold and have been out in -30C, you just need to dress for it. In fact, I’ve raced in many of the IceBike races here in Winnipeg. Just the other day I met up with Rob Nagy, the Veteran Icebike Organizer, and for sure I’m planning on entering IceBike #9 on February 4th, 2007. I missed #8 due to some business travel issues but manged to get down to the race course and take some pictures. I’m really looking forward to the blow-out events planned for the 10th anniversary. Yes, bring back the t-shirts!

A while back I started commuting by bike to work on a regular basis. My route from my house takes me down some residential streets to a paved path to some more residential streets and then onto a major route into the downtown core. So, first thing in the morning I’m not too challenged for the first few kilometers and by the time I’m fully awake, I’m ready for the traffic. Actually, I enjoy riding in the traffic and I’ve yet to have a serious incident. Oh, I’ve been yelled at a couple of times (not my fault), and been cut off a couple of times, not unexpectedly because if you’re paying attention to your situation you can usually see it coming, and I’ve never been “doored”, the thing I’m most concerned about.

But, today on the way home I discovered that there are other kinds of hazards out there beyond, traffic, pot holes and pedestrians with dogs on long near invisible leashes. There are bees! Thankfully, this encounter was on the bike path and not on the road in rush hour traffic. Suddenly, I hear and feel a thwack on a bug hitting my helmet and then going between the helmet visor and just above my sunglasses, instantly followed by quite a painful sting!

Wow, talk about a surprise. I’m frantically wiping whatever it is out from under the helmet while coming to a panic stop. I really didn’t want to get stung a second time. It left a really nice red welt and hours later it’s still stinging quite a bit. It’s been a very long time since I’ve been stung like this, however it’s starting to settle down and I’m sure that by tomorrow it will be gone, I hope.

A friend, Daniel Nemetchek, landed a fifth place finish in the first stage of the Monumental Memorial race in Beatrice Nebraska on Saturday May 27th. Way to go Daniel! It must have been quite the finish with the winner taking it by 1 second, and then 12 riders crossing in the next second.

This photo is from the second stage and the good looking guy in the red shorts is Daniel, so un-officially, this would look like a fourth place in the second stage.

No wonder nobody can keep up with him when we ride at Maah Daah Hey.

NebraskaCyclingNews – News

Today was my first experience with cycling to work and it went very well.

Last night it took a little planning to get the required gear, including the laptop, into a backpack and to decide what kind of clothes can be rolled up and still look OK at the office. The good thing was I didn’t forget anything and I think I looked presentable.

The ride was about 20 minutes and there were no major problems. I’m used to riding in the traffic so that wasn’t an issue, but it was a little heavier than usual at rush hour. One slowdown was getting behind a slower biker and being trapped between the curb lane traffic and the guy ahead. As traffic pulled away from a light I was able to slip into the lane and get around the guy and back up to speed.

Here at IBM there is a bike cage compound under a surveillance camera and people lock the bike inside the cage so I hope it will still be there when I head out for home tonight. There is a small change and shower room on the 3rd floor and I had it to myself. If there were more the two guys at the same time, it would be very close quarters. The ride end-to-end took longer that the car, probably close to 1 hour home to desk by the time I locked up the bike, showered and changed etc.

So all in all it’s been a good experience and I think I’ll make it a regular option for traveling into the office. I hope it doesn’t rain on the way home, it’s looking a little dark out there right now and the forecast is 60% for showers.