Hi all! As I trudged through the unplowed parts of my route today a fat e-bike sailed by with a wave going the other way. It made we wonder if I am part of a decreasing number of cyclists building my thigh muscles on my naturally-aspirated mountain bike this winter or if it's just jealousy peeking through 😅 Please share any if your own feelings or stories in the comments.

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Hi, I'm looking for casual road/gravel cycling groups to explore Edmonton and surrounding places. a lot of posts mentioned ERTC but I think these guys are above my league and I'm trying to cycle and explore the city rather than cycle for the sheer purpose of covering a distance. there's lots of scenic places around Edmonton within 50-80km but can can be daunting to do trips like that alone on a bicycle thanks

Hi all,

I have been looking into alternative ways to get around the city, as the bus doesn't run early enough for me to get to work, and I can't afford the cost of a car. A friend of mine then suggested cycling, and I thought it would both be a great way to get around and a good form of exercise to help my weight loss journey. As I looked into it more, I realized this was a bit more complicated then I expected. I had a few questions I was hoping to maybe get your guys advice on to help me to start getting into cycling.

1. how hard is cycling around the city? I haven't ridden a bike since I was a kid (and barely then really) so will I be fine just giving myself plenty of time to get anywhere, or should I get used to it more first?

2. I'm 6'3, about 310lbs, down from 360 so far. Is there anything I should maybe watch for in buying a bike? A specific type that serves well in the city? Or one that is better for use both in summer and winter? I'm not looking to break the bank but am also worried about ruining my experience with a low quality bike.

3. if I bike in winter, what things should I buy? Or anything I should watch out for?

4. is there a good app that accounts for bike routes in route planning? I don't know the city too well and usually rely on Google maps for that, but it seems to want to take alot of routes on large roads which seems pretty intimidating to me.

5. is there any other advice you'd offer to someone just getting into cycling more?

Sorry if these seem basic, but I'm just nervous about getting into something new like this and wasn't able to find answers for this pertaining to Edmonton in specific.

Thanks for any advice you can offer!

I’ve put my bike on stationary trainer , I am looking to purchase a sensor to be able to track real time speed and upload data to Strava , any suggestions ? I am an amateur rider , so no looking for something too fancy

Thanks

Also thank you /u/WheelsnHoodsnThings for posting that!

I had been commuting on my gravelking slicks since work only wanted me in 1 day per week and I could grin and bear it. Now they moved us to 3 days and I was considering hanging in the towel for the winter and just driving before I got the email stating I won! So excited for tomorrow to bike again and not dread the thaw 'n freeze swings.

Transit easily puts Google Maps to shame. This is not my usual route but on my usual route out to the suburbs they’ll give me a few options, including safest or on the most amount of protected paths, and fastest. The only downside is that it thinks the elevation gain going on the High Level Bridge vs. Walterdale Bridge is the same. It’s my go to app when I take transit too but with the addition of good cycling navigation, this app has earned a spot on my phone’s front page.

I had my first commute on studded tires today and I can’t believe how beautifully I travelled over icy segments. Total game changer!

Any thoughts on whether or not to get studded tires for a fat bike for winter commuting? Seems possibly optional, unlike for narrower tires? My commute is (frustratingly) half on cleared bike lanes that are sometimes a little icy, half on roads that are rarely cleared.

https://bikeedmonton.ca/news/studdedtires2024

Pretty cool opportunity for anyone that is curious and keen.

To the person I attempted to pass this morning heading east on the mill creek bridge sidewalk. We fell at pretty low speeds and it was my fault. You said you were ok. I hope that’s still the case. But we never exchanged information. If you or your bike were hurt, please send me a message.

I felt like an inconsiderate idiot all day.

Looking to get a folding bike as I have no space for a standard one, with 20" wheels. Would a folding bike be suitable through winter if I get some studded tires, wondering if anyone here uses one in winter?

I am researching an ebike purchase. I would like to be able to tackle any path/trail that our river valley offers (including single track dirt trails) and then have enough energy for the arduous climb back out of the river valley. I am interested in a "light" ebike (eg. Turbo Levo SL, for example) BUT will I regret purchasing an ebike with only 50 nM torque....or should I be opting for a 70 nM or 90 nM ebike?

Your thoughts?

Does anyone know if the city clears the Rundle-strathcona science park foot bridge? I emailed my counselor but I suspect an answer to my question will be weeks away. Are any of the other foot bridges not cleared throughout the city by this point? I wonder if the ownership of snow removal responsibilities is a point of contention between COE and Alberta parks who runs the land on the other side.

I know the City of Edmonton has maps but I don't find it completely accurate, so I started one to see if it takes off and help people decide if they want to ride and what deviations they want to make with their usual route. https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=1k4u1OyCNkBEMREj5eUlzoNt5dpFHiZA&usp=sharing

Red = not cleared

Yellow = partially cleared or cleared with hazards like windrows

Green = cleared

Black = no data

I'm fairly well versed with the northeast and north central areas but I'm hoping to get some contributors to help with a crowd sourced map with the other quadrants. Just DM me your Google account and I can add you. I'm going to work on adding all the known SUPs, protected bike lanes, and painted bike lanes. Every significant snow fall, I'm going to change all the colours back to black until it's visually verified.

The official City of Edmonton map (https://gis.edmonton.ca/portal/apps/instant/minimalist/index.html?appid=48c0bbdc20ad423f88d120eefa93709d) has largely turned green but I'm going to check on my way home from work.

I've been cycling for over a decade in this city.

Ive ridden of shared use paths that are now being turned into off leash areas, or that I've more so noticed it recently.

For example 111st, Saddleback road, 91st, etc.

Literally things that do not make sense as dog parks and only cause conflict within the population.

Does anyone know how this happened?

Why does the city planners believe it's a good ideas to be mixing off-leash dogs and Multi-use path users?

I am completely baffled by the snow clearing on the 106 St bike lanes. Does anyone know what's up? This is my third year commuting year-round down 106 St and the snow clearing has been truly abysmal. I actually wonder if whoever clears these bike lanes has a personal vendetta against cyclists.

There are huge mounds of snow left in the middle of lanes (usually right where they curve to allow for street parking). Some parts aren't cleared at all. Huge windrows somehow in the middle of the bike lane. Tire marks (maybe from the snow clearing vehicle?) in some parts of the bike lane and then a tiny strip of bare pavement where you can actually safely cycle. The hilly section near Mount Pleasant cemetery was cleared so badly today that I had to get off and push.

I see how nicely 83rd ave gets cleared and I cry a little with jealousy. I don't want my commute to feel like a mountain biking championship!

https://www.cp24.com/politics/queens-park/2024/11/25/doug-ford-government-passes-law-to-limit-bike-lanes/

Let's make sure this doesn't happen here.

Has anyone else noticed that there's no option for Separated Bike Lanes to request maintenance on the 311 app anymore? I have called and written in to request it's returned but anyone who wants to support me would be appreciated! Another 311 app mystery is there is no option for Snow Removal under "Issue" for Shared Use Pathways requests. Again, any support with contacting 311 to get this added would be great!

Will I die riding out there today without winter tires?

ETA: I opted to walk instead & that sucked but I definitely wouldn't have been able to ride. sigh

I'm considering accepting a job offer that will have me working at Seventh Street plaza downtown. They told me there isn't a bike cage in the parkade, but there are bike racks.

Anyone have any good intel on bike parking there? Are the racks safe? Is there better bike parking nearby (I'll pay for it if necessary)?

Does anyone have any thoughts on smaller, studded tires (35mm on a trek FX disc 2, in my case) vs a mountain bike or fat bike for a winter commute? I was fine with my 35mm tires last winter but don't love how much any depth of compacted snow can push your back wheel around as you ride. On the other hand, obviously it takes significantly more effort to ride in the snow even with my smaller tires, I imagine a fat bike would be even more laborious to ride?

I saw some other tire prints out there, I know some of you got out and enjoyed the powder today. I have determined as of today "Turbo" mode is banned until further notice.

Biked in from St. albert today where the paths and sidewalk are garbage and low and behold cross the yellowhead and the 127th st cycle path is clear and mostly ice free. might be there was less snow and the crew got to it in time but it is awesome. kudos to City of Edmonton for winter maintenance of infrastructure.

This is my first year owning a bike. Will storing it in an unheated shed during the winter damage it at all? Sorry if that's a stupid question but I know temps can plummet and I don't want to wreck my bike.

Thanks!!