In Search of Curves
Posted: Mon Jun 18, 2012 1:00 am
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.
The first road turned out to be a bust: great curves plus loose-packed gravel equals :thumbdown:
At least the XJ was enjoying the time out as well.
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:
The Highway 601 straight:
And more XJ posing:
Another dirt road at the Highway 12/601 junction, plus and interesting, brand new strip of blacktop heading north.
The new blacktop showed some promise:
Unfortunately, the minor S-bend just turned into more of this:
And this:
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.
The search for curves will continue another day.
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.
The first road turned out to be a bust: great curves plus loose-packed gravel equals :thumbdown:
At least the XJ was enjoying the time out as well.
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:
The Highway 601 straight:
And more XJ posing:
Another dirt road at the Highway 12/601 junction, plus and interesting, brand new strip of blacktop heading north.
The new blacktop showed some promise:
Unfortunately, the minor S-bend just turned into more of this:
And this:
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.
The search for curves will continue another day.