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The trail to Citadel Pass is one of the most scenic trips from Sunshine Village

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Ron Foreman Photos
Slideshow
Citadel Pass
Length: 9.3 km (5.8 mi) one way
Elevation gain: 195 m (640 ft)
Walking time: 3 hours one way

The trail to Citadel Pass is one of the most scenic trips from Sunshine Village, but due to its length usually less crowded than the trails described above. Starting from the 1.3-kilometre (0.8-mile) junction on the trail to Rock Isle Lake, it runs southeast along the Continental Divide, rolling up and down through the heart of the Sunshine Meadows. Highlights include wildflower meadows, which are justifiably renowned as some of the finest in Banff National Park, and frequent vistas of the rugged peaks of British Columbia to the south and west. Since the trip is long and the last shuttle bus of the day leaves in the late afternoon, many hikers only go as far as Quartz Ridge (5.2 kilometres/3.2 miles from Sunshine Village; allow 90 minutes one way), the highest point on the trail and a good viewpoint for the southern reaches of the meadows.

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Happiness

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Dan Gilbert in his talk about Synthetic Happiness says whether you win the lottery or become a paraplegic, three months later you will be equally happy. We adapt to our circumstances.

We synthesize our happiness. Given a choice between two paintings where you can’t change your mind, most people come to believe that the one they chose was best, and the other not. Given a choice where we can change our minds, we remain uncertain what the best choice is.

Studies show that material possessions don’t deliver much happiness on their own, because we quickly get used to them. Here are some of the things that bring happiness: spending time with family and friends, a partner you love, good meals, getting enough sleep, moderate exercise, and a healthy sex life.

Ever noticed how the Filipino nannies often seem happier than their wealthy employers?

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How to cycle safely in a large city

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(Based on my experiences riding in Toronto, Canada)

Wear a helmet. Falling to pavement from even a foot above the ground can cause a concussion or worse. Gravity is extremely powerful. A helmet protects the most vulnerable part of your body. Lose the vanity and wear a helmet; it could save your life! Ladies carry a hairbrush or comb to smooth out ‘helmet hair’.

Give adequate clearance to parked cars on your right. It’s called getting ‘doored’. A driver opens their car door without checking for cyclists. At best you get cuts and bruises; at worst you are flung under the wheels of an oncoming truck, game over, as happened recently to a man in Toronto. Stay clear of the parked cars even if the traffic on your left must move left to avoid you. At least they can see you. Slow down, ring your bell as you pass parked cars and keep your hands on your brakes.

Stay away from large vehicles, trucks and buses. They can’t see you. Whether moving along the road or stopping at a red light or stop sign, stay well behind larger vehicles; do not come up beside them. If they’re turning right you’ll get mangled, as happened to a Dutch University of Toronto professor in 2007.

Ride on dedicated bicycle routes. Toronto is adding dedicated bicycle lanes every year and produces a new map every year, available for free at most bicycle shops and at City Hall.

Obey the traffic signs. Stop at stop signs and lights. Too many cyclists ride like kids in a small town or in the country. You can’t do that in the city. We all share the roads. If we expect cars, trucks and buses to look out for us we must obey traffic rules.

Wear lights at dusk and in darkness, white on the front, red on the rear, flashing is best. Stick one on your helmet or knapsack.

Cross streetcar tracks at least at a 30 degree angle to avoid having your tire get stuck in the tracks.

Install wider ‘hybrid’ tires for city driving. Racing tires are not practical in urban areas.

Ride defensively and you’ll stay alive and out of the hospital.

See the Toronto Cycling Map Safety Tips

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Giving up our childhood prejudices

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When Johnny Miller said on NBC last weekend that Rocco Mediate was more like a guy who should be cleaning Tiger Wood’s pool than challenging him in the US Open, I laughed. Later, when he said he wasn’t sure a name like Rocco could go on the US Open trophy, I realized it was just old-fashioned prejudice, the kind we practiced in grade school long ago when there weren’t many Roccos in the school.

Johnny and I are about the same age and both of us could be called WASPs. When we were in school 50+ years ago we made fun of those who were not WASPS, a category that Rocco would have been in. But we were kids and it was the 1950’s. It was bad enough then but Johnny, this is 2008. We have grown up and are more enlightened. We are all equal, whether our name is Johnny or Rocco. A ‘Johnny’ could be cleaning a ‘Rocco’s’ pool. A ‘Rocco’ could have his name on the US Open trophy. Almost did.