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In Search of Curves

Posted: Mon Jun 18, 2012 1:00 am
by rmstrttn
I've heard it said that when Alberta Civil Engineers are told to design a road, they're simply given a ruler.

I have to say that it seems to be mostly true. Except for long, sweeping curves on highways and 90° corners in residential closes, curves are in short supply in this province. Thus, I feel my searches will ultimately be futile and I must travel 200+ kilometres west towards the Rocky Mountains to find the real roads.

Until I have the time and energy to make 400+ km day or weekend trips, I will have to satisfy myself with shorter ventures.

Actually, I don't have a problem with that. Spending a couple of hours out on the bike searching for elusive curves is quite therapeutic.

So, this past evening I loaded up the saddlebags with water and my rain gear (erratic weather lately), and headed east. Searching through local roadmaps revealed a few possibilities of curvature.

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The first road turned out to be a bust: great curves plus loose-packed gravel equals :thumbdown:

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At least the XJ was enjoying the time out as well.

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I had one more chance to find some curves before my turn-off on Highway 601. Unfortunately it was another dirt-road bust. So, I had to satisfy myself with a relatively high-speed turn onto 601 before pulling off the road for a short stop. Got a thumbs up from a passing motorist for something or other - either my high viz jacket, or for having the camera out, or for just pulling off the road correctly, or he just liked the XJ - she was posing again:

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The Highway 601 straight:

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And more XJ posing:

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Another dirt road at the Highway 12/601 junction, plus and interesting, brand new strip of blacktop heading north.

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The new blacktop showed some promise:

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Unfortunately, the minor S-bend just turned into more of this:

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And this:

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I turned around and headed west on Highway 12 and found some moderate, sweeping curves until it, too, straightened out. Filled up with fuel in a small town that I used to live in, and headed home.

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The search for curves will continue another day.