Not yet out onto country roads, but on Friday/Saturday, a couple of short rides along two of our three rivers, the big 'un, the Ottawa, running more or less W-to-E, as the border with Qué; and the smaller Rideau, running S to N to drain into the Ottawa just E of Parliament Hill.
Friday was a raw day, cloudy and cool, around 3°, with a stiff northeasterly suggesting rain. Yesterday was a mix of sun and cloud, but much more cheerful, though still cool, even in late afternoon. The wind had shifted to the NW overnight--hence no precip
--but even in late afternoon, it was a brisk 6°, and the northwesterly, gusting to 50-60 km/h, made for a bit of a workout.
I took the Raven for one ride, and my derailleur Eclipse for the second, to check the adjustment on my new long-cage RD. (This is the 42nd such device I've fitted, seeking well-adjusted performance. I do this each spring--season of eternal hope--and then replace it each fall/winter. Now, it's part of the annual seasonal cycle chez nous.)
These were my first rides of 2020 in Canada. Last month, I managed three in Queensland, but have yet to do my notes and photos on that--it now seems long ago and far away. Have included one photo from those rides, however--see if you can guess which it is.
The rivers are full, but not yet spilling the banks. This year's snowpack further N and W up the Ottawa Valley was substantial, but has melted slowly and early. Forecasts signal that the "once-in-a-century" floods which have marked two of the past three springs will not recur.
Motor traffic is light on the roads--think of a busy day in the low-carbon age--but my experience from two short rides suggests that dangerous/inconsiderate/WTF-ish behaviour by motorists has not diminished. Have to ponder that paradox
More to come in the weeks ahead, I hope. The options are limited by the fact that the Québec government has closed the bridges to all non-essential traffic, and the Gatineau Park is also closed.
Safe riding, all.
