The imposing image of the Royal Dutch Navy's new Supply Vessel, Karel Doorman, looms over the pedestrians in the Old Port this week.
Apparently here to support a trade mission for the Dutch Government, it is hard to imagine her presence does not have any connection to our own efforts to build replacement vessels for the Provider/Protector vessels.
Alongside, a supply vessel of another kind, the Cavalier Maxim provides liquid replenishment to revelers on a pleasant Friday evening in Montreal.
Took another ride up the 'Parc Lineare' at Trois Rivieres this morning as my ship was docked here for only one night.
I have to say it is impressive the efforts expended to make this recreational path accessible and attractive to all users with cyclists and pedestrians each having their own lane.
It is no doubt an indication of the popularity of this path that there is even advertising showing up.
Apparently, this is part of the 'Route Verte #4' though I didn't see any signs indicating this on the section I rode. Doesn't matter; kudos to TR for a great path.
Decided to try a different ride out of Sorel instead of the Sauvagine.
There is a bit of a bike path that meanders through a park just east of the ferry dock but, then, ends suddenly.
So, I doubled back and headed along the closest road that comes out at Chemin du Chenal du Moine, which has a nice shoulder for riding on a fairly quiet road as it ends at a cul-de-sac. It has been entitled 'Voie Cyclable Terre et Eau'.
About 13 km from Sorel, the road crosses a small bridge traversing a small channel.
The road continues for a bit on 'Embarassed' island but it was time to turn around and head back to the ship.
A very pleasant morning ride though I have to wonder how quiet the road actually is when a local campground has to build a pedestrian bridge to cross a two lane road.
Had just enough time before we sailed from Dieppe Park in Windsor to ride down a nice wide bike path to the Ambassador bridge and back as a full moon was setting.
I have to say that downtown Windsor is one of the more depressing examples of urban wasteland but the city has done a wonderful job of beautifying the riverfront with gardens and sculptures.
A shoreline can mask a lot of ills. Downtown Detroit looks positively idyllic in the early morning light.
The sun was just peaking over the horizon as I got back to the ship.
With the ice from this past winter a fading memory, the river has become dotted with fishing boats out to catch the first bass of the season and give headaches to the large ships trying to transit through the waterway.
The Seaway is still in the process of installing a hands-free mooring system in all its locks in the Welland Canal. Our ship has normally been tying up beyond these structures in the lock as they are a pain in the ass for a ship our size if they are not in operation.
Yesterday, we transited up the ditch and actually got to use the system in Lock 3. The system uses a series of 3 double-barreled suction devices although only one set is required to secure our vessel.
When it works, it's pretty amazing that a vacuum can hold a ship in position with all the forces of the water filling the lock.
Blockhouse Island, which isn't actually an island, in Brockville is one of the better places along the St. Lawrence River to boat watch. Most people do so from the comfort of their vehicles.
The CWB Marquis is a new Equinox-class vessel to the Seaway this year built in China. Really love the full-length bridge windows!
Mid-April and it is hard to figure out what the city has left to do to make this section of bike path connecting the Clark and St. Laurent paths operational except to remove the big, fucking blocks!!!
One day to go and all the snow isn't gone from the streets but Montreal's bike paths will finally have their day on Fool's Day.
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| March 31st and counting |
Maybe, someday, the foolish notion of actually keeping the bike paths open year round might finally take hold.
Last week we were working in the ice of Lake Erie with a USCG counterpart. The palette was basically white and grey except for the odd moment when the clouds would part.
Traveled down to Havana last week for a holiday with hopes of renting a bike and cycling around the city, but those hopes were quickly dashed after seeing the amount of traffic, the dearth of bicycles on the road and breathing the carbon laced air.
I had read some blogs talking about how many bikes there were in Cuba because of the embargo and the economy and the gift of a million bikes from the Chinese and the sparse traffic due to gas shortages, but these must have been from a few years ago because the economy seems to be improving judging by the amount of vehicles on the road.
Not to say that there were no bikes on the road.
Mind you, even this fellow has somehow jury-rigged his bike with a motor though I'd be wary having all that gas and an iffy engine between my legs!
Havana is an extraordinary city but it gives little place in its infrastructure for bicycles or even pedestrians. Hopefully, they will buy into the cycling revolution that is happening in other countries before their streets and atmosphere are completely clogged.
