Commute Day ONE: Scouting Report

Today marked the official beginning of this year’s route to 100 commuting days. Despite the picture above, it was a very good ride in albeit a little cooler than I usually prefer. Top layer included: Merino wool base layer, cycling jersey and nylon cycling jacket. Bottom layer included: Cycle shorts, Merino wool XC Ski socks, and MEC Mercury tights. Extremities covered by XC ski gloves, tight skull-cap and GORE shoe covers. As I always say, there is no bad weather just bad clothing.

As with every year, I like to put out a Post Easter Lachine Bike Path scouting report. So here goes:

  1. Lakeshore to 55th Ave in Lachine: All clear although a little sand / gravel at places.
  2. 55th to Fur Trade Museum: All clear, some wet / icy patches that are easily passable.
  3. Fur Trade to Info Centre bridges: Large snow accumulation, must be walked across for anything narrower than 32mm tires.
  4. First Ave to Dollard Bridge: The initial path is a mess but clears up nicely after the public toilet, mini soccer fields. Dollard bridge is wet / icy but passible.
  5. Bridge to Bridge Sections: Some snow accumulation in the shaded first section and the rest is clear but as has  large amount of twigs covering the path. Should be fine for 25mm and wider tires.
  6. St-Gabriel Lock to Atwater market: Very clear and mostly dry.
  7. Atwater Market to Wellington: Some snow accumulation on the south side paths and in the underpasses. easily passable.
  8. Wellington to Peel: The North side path is still closed due to construction of the new condos. I made my way to Notre Dame and then up Peel at my earliest convenience. The City and Federal Parks commission needs to sort out this section ASAP as there are many new condos going up and cycling in this area in simply not safe.

So there you go, there is a rain forecast for the next two days and a warm weekend that should wash away and clear up whatever is left over. I therefore declare the commuting season open!