Cycling In The Floods - 20Jun13

I had done about 1000 KM of cycling in 2010 from March to September alone. Cycling as an endevour and as a pastime had taken a back seat after 2011 owing to the higher frequency of out of town long distance trips. 2013 however, saw an increase in the fervour as I was joined by my wife. This day (the 20th of Jun) was special though: Calgary had been hit by floods, huge floods. We were not totally aware of the scale that this was going to be of though. In the afternoon one of my friends had messaged me that water levels had risen in the river system in Calgary - the Bow and Elbow rivers, and to keep an eye out on the trails.

Bow River Pathway - 2.5 KM West of Calgary at 9:40 PM

We had ventured out westward on the Bow river Pathway at 9:15 PM. We did notice that the river was much too voluminous and way too fast for its regular course. Nevertheless we maintained our journey. About 2.5 KM into the jaunt what did we see - the river had overrun the banks and had dangerously leapt into the pathway. About 150 metres of the pathway was deep in water to begin with.

Scouting the jungle - a detour, an escape from the flooded pathway

Navigating the thickets - the pathway still flooded

Finally saw the pathway empty - making a dash for it

It was too risky to continue ahead on the pathway so we trekked a bit up into the jungle to the left and once we had gained safe elevation continued through the jungle. The thick growth and the mosquitoes made it a little tough to cross the portion. As there was a lot of wet mud, we had to drag the bike in addition to riding it. We were constantly keeping an eye on the pathway below, as much as visibility in the jungle allowed to,  and came back on the pathway where it was safely above the river.

Downtown Calgary during the floods at 9:55 PM

Once on the pathway, we took the new path that goes up the hill instead of continuing straight into Edworthy Park. This trail gives a good view of Downtown Calgary. It was raining continuously and levels in the river rising. Many passersby advised not to use the trail to go to Downtown. Little did they know that we stayed in Downtown and had no choice but to go back to our apartment.

Water marker: a rise of 12 ft+ from normal below this bridge 

While coming down we took the bridge to cross to the other side. This bridge joins, like many others - the North bank of the river with the South Bank, and is below the ramp to the Crowchild Trail. We were startled to see the scene under the pathway bridge. The water had risen by 12 feet above the normal flowing mark. The flow and the roar of it was as though it would wash the bridge off. It was also getting harder to see on account of it raining profusely. 

Completely submerged pathway

Downtown Calgary from the Pathway at 10:20 PM

There were very few cyclists on the road at this time, but those that were, did not carry lights. This made it all the more difficult to ride. We saw quite a few more wonders that the river had done. Some of the pathways and links underneath had been completely submerged. Even the Soldiers' Memorial on Memorial Drive @ 9 St NW had been brought under the effect of the flood.

Water runs up Soldiers' Memorial 10:33 PM. More than 12 ft of water

Lighting on the Soldiers' Memorial

We met with friends while crossing the 9th St bridge. And to beat the cold we hunted for coffee, gathered at my apartment and chatted a few hours past midnight. The next day we heard of Downtown Core getting shut off. Many people were evacuated from their homes - 2 families that we knew were among them, who stayed with us for a week. It was a great experience serving and spending time with the folks at home.