Calgary at the Gates of Dawn

So I haven't blogged lately cause I work too much (sorry my dear). Therefore I shall blog now. This morning I had some business in the northeast of Calgary then Airdrie, so I figgered I'd go bike Nose Hill, right smack dab in the middle of Calgary. 14.19 km, not too bad.

GPS data can be found here, in case you get lost in Nose Hill.

Yeah, so driving south from Cochrane to Springbank, there was the MOST spectacular sunrise ever. So me goes out and takes a photo while driving (always a safe thing to do) in hopes of capturing dawn in it's beauty. And what do I get? A blurry, smeary inside of my driver window. At least I tried.

The "trailhead", if you will, is located off of Shaganappi and Edgemont Blvd. Not as scenic as K-country, but on the way to work, so it's got my vote. This photo doesn't make it look too urban...

...but if you turn to your right, you get this. At least those condos have a nice view.

Almost as if you are in a serene meadow in the middle of nowhere. But the serenity was betrayed by the skyscrapers that are being built downtown. I could photo shop those out of there, but that would be lying about Nose Hill Park.

The trails are either loose gravel or paved! Last time I was there (about 2 years ago), there was no pavement. Not a very challenging ride, but I didn't care. I was out to have fun (as always).

The view out east was fantastic. Well, this is sort of north east. I could tell it was going to be hot day today because there were waves of heat blowing on me while I was biking. Yep, gonna be a stinker. That means hot in ellornean.

There is some single track in the park, but it is pretty well worn down from being in such an urban location. No biggie though, there are places you wouldn't even know you're in a city. It's really a beautiful park. I think it is the largest "in-city" park in North America. Take that Central Park...

It's kinda cool looking down at downtown. I always think of the poor executives in their leather chairs looking out at Nose Hill wishing they could be frolicking in the grass like I am doing. Haha, suckas. That being said, my goal in life is to never be an executive or have to wear a suit (aka. fabric coffin) to work. How did I get talking about this?

Turn your back to the road (14th street) and you get some nice rolling hills. Believe it or not, I actually bailed on my bike on a flat section at the top. I was just biking along when my back tire obviously slipped on something and I found myself on my duff. Weird....

A view out to my beloved mountains. I will be out in K-Country this weekend with fellow blogger and barefoot runner Neil Z, assuming the rain is not a pourin and the bears aren't too hungry. I am sure there will be a blog from the both of us regarding the trail run. Now you get to see BOTH sides of the story.

BTW, props to whoever can decipher this blog post title. I'd have giveaways, but I have nothing to give away other than being a riding buddy or running partner.

Also, I did a scramble of Mt. Baldy 2 weekends ago, and I promise a blog about that one. Hang tight!

:-)

Again in the AM

Lucky me I got to go out again for another prework mountain bike ride. My destination was Telephone Loop in West Bragg Creek. Normally, this is XC skiing country, but being summer makes it a fantastic (and muddy) bike ride. Enjoy!

Here is my GPS data from the loop.

So like any of my adventures, they usually occur in the morning. This one had a monkey in the back seat.

The trailhead is only about 5 mins west of Bragg Creek, past the fancy schmancy houses and into K-Country. I also am making use of my new Thule Bike rack which arrived (thereby completing my Thule winnings). Thanks Thule! This rack is SOLID!

It sure was beautiful. There were times when riding east into the sunrise that I couldn't even see cause of the sun in my eyes. When I could see again, I saw a Pandora-esque type landscape, minus the man eating beasts and things-that-glow-when-you-touch-them plants.

The first part of the trail is groomed for XC skiing, but then the Telephone Loop actually goes rustic and a little wilder. I did the loop CCW, and the first part going north was a blast! Rolling hills and lots of mud (+ 1 timid rider).

This little dude thought it would be funny to run out in front of me and scare me! It would have been a delicious mistake. The picture is so dark cause I actually had to use flash! Bummer, I would have liked a better photo. I started riding again and this guy ran with me in front of me until he bolted off into the woods. I miss him already...

Such fantastic riding! I wish I could bring everyone I know with me! It would be so much fun!

The trail bounced between single track and wide trail. I think there was even an old road.

Riding south along the loop got very boggy, muddy and wet. I forgot my riding shoes so I used my Airwalks, which are now soaked, muddy and filthy. I'm sure they stink too... Oh well, I needed new shoes anyway.

I love being up with the sun. Mornings are more beautiful than evenings, I say. Perhaps it's a desire to be in the light again, or maybe the sun looks better when it shines from the east.

Just before the final downhill back to the car, there was a nice meadow / swamp that gave me the view of the east side of Moose Mountain. This picture just does not do justice...

More shots of the meadow, and a steamy morning pond! Betcha don't get that in the evenings!

There was one stream crossing, so my shoes got soaked. Probably for the best. But I made it back to the car, cleaned up, put on my work clothes and headed off to work. Of course, I had to take my hero shot first.

Driving on the way to work, I saw a neat photo op. So I took advantage of it and took this photo. Turned out alright.

I may not be the best (actually I'm not at all) mountain biker out there, but what's important to me is not being the best but just getting out there and enjoying the fresh air, delicious grouse and muddy trails. Get out and have fun!

All before 8am

Well there are challenges with being a new father, such as finding time to keep up with outdoor adventures. While one side of me wants to be outside running around like mad all the time, the other side wants a family side and to enjoy times at home. The second side is the winner for obvious reasons, but I still do not want to deny the other. So to remedy this, I went out for an early morning ride. The loop is called Jumpingpound Creek Loop, and it is 30 minutes from my door. Up at 5am and out by 530, I was ready to go mountain biking, then work from 8 to 4 like everyone else!

First off, I GPS's my ride, so others can go and enjoy it!

GPS

En route, with Moose Mountain as the backdrop to my drive. 6am and the sun is fully out. Gotta love Alberta.

I just installed the roof rack on my car a few days ago, and it came with a bike rack. So much nicer than that rack that hung off the back. Just make sure I don't try to park in the garage...

The path was easy to find, right off the picnic area.

Obviously, I had to take a photo of my bike as it would not take a photo of me.


The path followed a ridge along a creek. Such a beautiful morning. No bugs!!!

I always am amused by finding bridges along paths. I don't know why, but it just seems nice.

The trail opened up into a meadow with spectacular views. There was a campground just to the left of this photo... full of tents. Shhhhh, everyone is sleeping.


The nice thing about Kananaskis country is how well marked the trails are. Respect nature and stick to the trails.


This was on the north side of the loop as I headed back east with the sun in my face. I swear, this is what mountain bikers must see when they go to heaven.

The trail loops across Sibbald Creek Road, so at all times you are within a few hundred meters of the road. I was surprised at how much traffic there was at 7am on this road...

A nice gopher came and took this photo of me, my bike and my beloved bridge. I gave the guy a piece of my PBJ sandwich.

This is amazing single track. I would like to say that I am an awesome mountain biker who stayed on his bike the whole time and never got off, but I remain timid on the bike and had to hop off several times. It's about getting out there, not how good you are, I say.

The trail was always under the watchful eye of Moose Mountain. Such pretty scenery.

Again, another mountain bikers ascent into heaven.

Look ma! 7:08 am and out on my bike! Weird to think that an hour from then I was sitting at my desk at work... sigh...


And of course, what ride would be complete without a dip in the creek? I would have taken photos, but surely no one wants to see pasty white Canadian boy. I saved that for the grizzlies.

All in all, an awesome ride! First time out there, and all before 8am. Now I can go home and spend the evening with family and not fret about not being outside! Life is good, and Cochrane is an awesome place to live. So close to so much! I love it!