Monday's Ride was eventful although not serious.
Weather was nice again today, I started at +4C and finished at +8C. Once again I went clockwise on the map.
I chose a different route south, and went through some residential areas until I got to the pathway system that runs just south of my normal park where I trail ride.
Here's a couple of shots on my way south. Picture #2 is what my English literature teachers called "foreshadowing...".
At about the 6.5km mark, with me now on the pathways that run south of Nose Hill park, at the X mark on the map, a medium sized black dog decided he wanted to get really close. It was fairly congested in there and this one was running free. About 60 seconds later, I noticed a bit of pain from my calf and I thought about reversing my tracks and going to find the owner. But there were a LOT of people and dogs and I didn't see the point of doing so unless I could identify the specific dog and I wasn't going to even try that without checking my leg. So I pulled over - at a bench (spot Y on map) and checked it out.
Yup - he got me!
I had a first aid kit in my backpack, so I grabbed some polysporin and a bandage and patched myself up and went on my way. Lesson learned - if it happens again I am stopping and am going to press the issue.
Where I stopped to do the first aid, was right by the southern entrance to Nose Hill Park which is served by a pedestrian/cyclist overpass. I often come off the park there, and follow the route I'd just came, to get home.
As far as routes went, I was winging it and decided to head north. Some packed snow , which was now becoming much too soft, and lots of bare and dry paths.
I eventually ended up on the north side of the freeway ring road called Stoney Trail and started eastwards.
Yes, the word Stoney is spelled correctly as it refers to the
Stoney Nakoda indigenous people who live in the area.
I had to pass by a Costco, but I didn't need to stop and get gas...
The pathway from there had some tricky snowdrift covered patches, but within a few hundred metres, it was back to bare and dry.
I kept heading east and road up to the bluffs that are on the north side of Country Hills Golf Course.
I've certainly posted pics of this area before, but perhaps not with snow.
All in all a good ride, not withstanding the canine interactions (as there were 2 more - but no more tasting episodes).
Audio book was a continuation of Peter May's "The Man With No Face".
Tomorrow will be a maintenance day - my drive train is filthy!
Just need to figure out a way of not making too much of a mess.
