While talking with my friend one night after an autumn bike ride through the River Valley he said \u201cEdmonton would be the worst place in the world if there was no River Valley, literally.\u201d\u00a0 I have to agree.\u00a0 Riding through the River Valley in the summer or early fall on any weekend or even on a weeknight it would seem odd for Edmonton to have earned the nickname \u201cDeadmonton.\u201d\u00a0 The River Valley is busy, teeming with activities of all sorts.\u00a0 Edmonton has one of the largest linear urban parks in North America.\u00a0 In terms of a space for sport and recreation, nearly right at your doorstep, Edmonton is one the best places in the world.<\/p>\n
But what about the River Valley makes Edmonton one of the best places in the world?\u00a0 For cyclists, the River Valley offers up a fun mix of terrain to explore and experience.\u00a0 The River Valley exists as both a natural place and park place.\u00a0 A natural place implies a more wild space with a wealth of biodiversity relatively untouched by humans.\u00a0 Terwillegar or Whitemud Park in the southwest of Edmonton can be considered wild places in comparison to more manicured parks such as Gold Bar or Rundle Park in the northeast.\u00a0 A park place, such as Gold Bar, has fertilized turf and paved paths where as Whitemud only have small gravel trails and a vibrant understory to the forest.\u00a0 The River Valley is an incredibly unique space where Edmontonians are interacting with the space, with each other and with the wildlife that lives there.\u00a0 This is one way in how sense of place develops, through social experiences in a particular space and time.<\/p>\n
Within these park places and natural places, cyclists are creating a deep sense of place.\u00a0 Local cycling clubs organize and map out races weekly.\u00a0 The interesting features of the River Valley, that are appropriate to the sport, are incorporated into each course.\u00a0 People gather and interact.\u00a0 They talk about the course, where it goes and what the surface is like.\u00a0 The River Valley is important for many reasons but what stands out is Edmonton\u2019s ability to use this massive natural feature that contributes to people\u2019s sense of place.\u00a0 As a space to use for sport and recreation it is perfect.<\/p>\n
There are unique elements of the River Valley and social interactions within it, which contribute to and build user\u2019s sense of place.\u00a0 With autumn coming you may just see cyclists in the Goldbar and Capilano parks, at play, racing on Tuesday nights.\u00a0 Even the smallest features of the park are used for the racecourse. They will follow a twisting course through the park with sharp corners around trees and steep climbs.\u00a0 At the end of the race, blinky lights will be affixed to handle bars and seat posts and groups of friends will ride home in the dusky evening taking to the trails that make Edmonton the best place to live in the world.<\/p>\n
Here are some beautiful images and scenes from a couple years ago of the last Tuesday nighter of that year.<\/p>\n