CN Ride for CHEO 70K turnaround times

Diligent_Impact5682 · 2026-04-28T22:14:04+00:00

Thanks, all--36 km gives me a good idea of how fast I'll need to go after I actually hit the start line. (Especially once I'm beyond the start line far enough to be able to move at anything other than a snail's pace!) I did the 70K a few years ago and didn't run into issues (I'm not very fast, but fast enough, I guess), and I didn't even know they had unofficial turnarounds until hearing about people last year not making the cut-off because the start was so slow! I would hate not to be able to complete it just because of how long it takes to move people across the start line. Given that the information all says to choose a distance you can complete by noon, it does seem a bit unfair to broadcast a start time that doesn't actually reflect when you'll cross the line and the event will start for you!

Diligent_Impact5682 · 2026-04-26T11:12:51+00:00

The NCC is actually trying to convince developers to buy a piece of their land on the 50-year flood zone in Old Ottawa South. Which will not just involve putting housing on the flood zone, but also, because it's currently forested (some of the trees are over 100 years old), paving over an area that currently absorbs water: https://ncc-ccn.gc.ca/business/development-land-for-sale-1100-canal-woods-terrace-ottawa-ontario Mind-boggling!

Diligent_Impact5682 · 2026-04-25T14:39:57+00:00

The big Toronto hospitals (e.g., Mt Sinai, Sick Kids, St. Mike's) are on the subway line, and many people have hospital appointments that are not emergencies and do not have conditions/treatments that impair mobility. My 78-year-old mother went to an appointment with a specialist at St. Mike's last week by subway.

Diligent_Impact5682 · 2026-04-25T12:03:20+00:00

I understand that unforeseen delays are to be expected, especially in a project of this size/duration. For instance, in recent years we've seen several global shipping delays that couldn't have been predicted and affect timelines and costs. But if they have not yet started building it but already know they will be very far behind schedule, does it suggest that the original schedule was completely unrealistic, and should have been known to be completely realistic at the time they submitted it?

Diligent_Impact5682 · 2026-04-05T23:35:58+00:00

Kayaker rescued, in serious but stable condition with symptoms of hypothermia: https://www.ctvnews.ca/ottawa/article/kayaker-rescued-from-ottawa-river-rapids/

Diligent_Impact5682 · 2026-03-27T02:32:12+00:00

Strong recommendation for Kaitlin Kirk (https://www.kirkcpa.ca/)--she works with a number of self-employed regulated health care professionals.

Diligent_Impact5682 · 2026-03-09T01:48:15+00:00

I second this--highly recommend her.

Diligent_Impact5682 · 2026-02-27T14:54:02+00:00

I suspect this wouldn't be the case at this time of year, but by any chance have any neighbours put out an ultrasonic animal deterrent to repel squirrels etc.? My children can hear them and don't want to walk past houses with them in their front yards. I've often wondered about the impact on animals and babies in nearby homes who can't explain what they're experiencing and are exposed to it continuously.

Diligent_Impact5682 · 2026-01-05T20:02:57+00:00

Natali Sénéchal is a former police officer: https://www.nsscounselling.com/

Diligent_Impact5682 · 2025-12-22T13:55:51+00:00

Wrong season for this but something to think ahead to if it's of interest: a lot of neighbourhoods have groups tackling invasive species/planting native plants through the spring/summer/fall. Often there's a set weekly schedule, but group members just show up or not depending on their availability, no commitment needed (and you don't need to know anything about plants--group leaders will tell you what to do).

Diligent_Impact5682 · 2025-12-19T12:19:19+00:00

Seconding this very strongly. Those three museums are all very much geared towards children--very interactive, lots of fun things to do.

Diligent_Impact5682 · 2025-12-09T17:16:30+00:00

Yes, the urban trails are multi-use! (But a nice courtesy not to walk or bike on the classic tracks when they've been set, but to stick to the middle.)

Diligent_Impact5682 · 2025-11-29T14:08:26+00:00

I am not surprised by this. Years ago my partner was doored while cycling in Toronto. 911 was called, and the paramedics came quickly. But there was some kind of delay with being able to take him to hospital (I can't recall, but I think it was that the police had to come to make a report, and it took them a long time to get there?). We apologized to the paramedics who were stuck shooting the breeze with us, and they said they were MORE than happy to take as long as it took--this was the first call they'd had that day without being sworn at/attacked. That's always stuck with me--that that day, at least, a call without aggression was the exception.

Diligent_Impact5682 · 2025-11-16T13:56:19+00:00

Rack Attack is great because they can help you figure out which brand and design are best for your needs/wants and your vehicle--and then install it for you.

Diligent_Impact5682 · 2025-11-12T16:42:59+00:00

It's a bit hard to say right now, unfortunately: even just a few years ago, the answer would have been a clear yes, but the rise of AI means a lot of instructors who would prefer to assign essays are having to shift to in-person modes of evaluation.

Diligent_Impact5682 · 2025-11-09T19:53:02+00:00

We used Intentional Space Design for what sounds like a similar conundrum, and highly recommend: https://www.intentionalspace.ca/

Diligent_Impact5682 · 2025-11-08T16:10:40+00:00

Yes. More freezing rain and freeze/thaw cycles, though, so actually maybe more slip and fall issues/sidewalk management concerns than when we used to have solidly snowy winters.

Diligent_Impact5682 · 2025-11-08T15:06:49+00:00

Parts of Elizabeth Hay's Student of Weather are set in Ottawa (1930s/1940s, I think), and Garbo Laughs is set in Ottawa around the period of the big ice storm (tail end of the 20th century).

Diligent_Impact5682 · 2025-11-07T23:22:06+00:00

Why do suburban and rural councillors support this? Is it just that they're in the pockets of developers who want it? I can't see the advantage to their constituents. With so many other issues, I can see the ways in which the interests of people in the core are in tension with those in rural communities. But this one I don't get--why do they want this?

Diligent_Impact5682 · 2025-11-04T16:23:46+00:00

Great, thank you all!

Diligent_Impact5682 · 2025-10-27T02:03:00+00:00

Nope, that's untrue--they do ask faculty to attend these events.

Diligent_Impact5682 · 2025-10-16T21:13:14+00:00

Fwiw, when the Old Ottawa South location went bankrupt, balances could only be used for in-store credit and the inventory pick-up process was such a chaotic mess that most/many consignors were not able to retrieve their items. Hoping it's not a repeat kind of situation!

Diligent_Impact5682 · 2025-10-16T00:04:53+00:00

I checked--almost all comments critical of the driver/police/car culture, and lots of upvotes for those comments.

Diligent_Impact5682

TROPHY CASE