Riding on our utility cuts reminds my GF of rodeo kids riding sheep.
If you've ridden on streets like Dundas West between Spadina and Ossington, you'll have experienced "mutton bustin", the act of riding sheep for pleasure, mostly done by farm kids.
Utility companies are allowed to cut up the roads to install new utilities, and at anytime somewhere in the city a road is being ripped up. When they are finished they patch it up with some temporary asphalt. About a year later the City comes in to do a proper patch (in theory). But in the meanwhile cyclists get to experience mutton bustin, some of the most exciting, neck wrenching roads in our city.
Once you get tired of mutton bustin you can go back to riding the "devil strip" (the concrete strip between the streetcar tracks).
Comments
Rick Risemberg (not verified)
Bad Roads?
Sat, 11/14/2009 - 20:41If that photo of Bloor Street represents "mutton bustin'," you'd best stay away from LA! We pray for a road that smooth!
Check our our own 4th Street:
www.bicyclefixation.com/4thst.html
Bear in mind that not only does this pass through one of the ritziest neighborhoods in LA, but that it is also a designated "bicycle friendly street"!
Ben
On the other hand,
Thu, 11/19/2009 - 16:27You get to live in LA, which is probably pretty cool.
The Pedaller (not verified)
Say No To Crack
Sun, 11/15/2009 - 01:03Call 311
dash (not verified)
I switched to an aluminum
Mon, 11/16/2009 - 13:43I switched to an aluminum road bike a couple years ago and now constantly find myself with my eyes on the road trying to avoid anything that could catch my tires and throw me, which seems to be a lot of cracks and extra deep divots. I'm spending too much time looking at the road, and not enough time looking at the cars and pedestrians around me.
I sometimes wish I had kept my cruiser. Shock absorbing body...shock absorbing balloon tires...sock absorbing saddle... shock absorbing city bars... mmm I'll be in my bunk.
Tone (not verified)
These make me kinda crazy
Tue, 11/17/2009 - 10:58I hate these cuts.
I understand that there are lots of utilities burried under the streets -- and that repairs and improvements benefit lots of people.
But, as I ride them, I keep hearing that parental voice that says you should "leave things as good as you found them."
By all means, dig up and do the work needed. But, put the street back the way you found it.
This NEVER seems to happen, and contributed to the rapid decline of city streets, which then necessitates a full (expensive) repaving.
Argh!
Mad Jack McMad (not verified)
There is one utility company
Wed, 11/18/2009 - 11:11There is one utility company in particular coughEnbridgecough that does an especially bad job at this. Whichever contractors they use couldn't pave a flat surface to save their lives, and probably skimp on filler material as well, causing the patch to gradually shift and sink. Most of their patches will be potholes come Spring.
dash (not verified)
Have you hit that strip on
Wed, 11/18/2009 - 13:29Have you hit that strip on harbord yet? The paving job was mucho-garbage right from the start. I hate to see how it's going to look in the spring. I already have to merge into the traffic lane to avoid it. It's just too uneven to ride safely and still watch for door prizes and the like.
The Pedaller (not verified)
3-1-1 is F-U-N
Wed, 11/18/2009 - 12:58One call I made to 311 was regarding a deteriorated asphalt patch downtown.
The operator quickly deduced that it was a repair done by Rogers and in 3 days it was fixed.
It seems too good to be true, but this system really works!
hamish (not verified)
more systemic liability...
Fri, 11/20/2009 - 10:56The City does have responsibility for ensuring that there's safe passage on roads, and while they ignore the hazards of the streetcar tracks, they do sometimes respond pretty well to complaints,
But certainly not always - like Bloor is rough between say Yonge St. and Ave. Road....
And to give credit to where credit is do, Councillor Walker has been chasing this issue of how the utilities have carte blanche to chop roads, but it's a failing of the federal government - yes! - who ordered the City to let the companies dig away (as I understand it).
But it is very true that some of us are spending a LOT of time/concentration on how bad the road surface is and are spending less time/concentration on traffic conditions eg. doors, peds. etc.
hamish (not verified)
more systemic liability...
Fri, 11/20/2009 - 10:56The City does have responsibility for ensuring that there's safe passage on roads, and while they ignore the hazards of the streetcar tracks, they do sometimes respond pretty well to complaints,
But certainly not always - like Bloor is rough between say Yonge St. and Ave. Road....
And to give credit to where credit is do, Councillor Walker has been chasing this issue of how the utilities have carte blanche to chop roads, but it's a failing of the federal government - yes! - who ordered the City to let the companies dig away (as I understand it).
But it is very true that some of us are spending a LOT of time/concentration on how bad the road surface is and are spending less time/concentration on traffic conditions eg. doors, peds. etc.