Trans Canada Row

[[old] Yukon John]

For just starting out I think you're putting in a lot of k's already Bill! I'm going to have to try that Sleeman's. A co-worker of mine was raving about it. If you ever get a chance we have a couple of interesting ones here, Midnight Sun Espresso Stout and Aroma Borealis Herbal Cream Ale. Specialty beers to be sure! I've tried the Espresso Stout, a good heavy beer with a caffeine kick! I haven't tried the Herbal ale, I'm not sure if that would be considered health food ? I don't think I'm quite ready to put it in the camelback for a long row.

[[old] Bill Slater]

I am going to try and get in "water shape" before spring....If I can do that I hope to race a little next year. I havent touched an oar in about 18 yrs, but it's worth a try I guess. Besides, it's one of the only sports a heavyweight, like myself, can do without putting too much stress on the body!! Enough of that, I do like Sleeman's ale. Not a big fan of the light beer they make, but then again I've never turned down any beer!<br /><br />Hopefully will be going to Canada soon so I can stock up!<br />

[[old] ulu]

A question for all of you farmers out there. If you zoom in on our October 24 row on the satellite view, you see 2 field patterns. One circular, one rectangular. I presume this is for irrigation. Why would you use one over the other, and if one is better, why don't you use it for all of them?<br /><img src='http://209.200.67.14/Cross%20Canada%20Row/satell2.jpg' border='0' alt='user posted image' /><br />

[[old] RickMan]

<!--QuoteBegin-ulu+Oct 24 2005, 07:34 PM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(ulu @ Oct 24 2005, 07:34 PM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->A question for all of you farmers out there. If you zoom in on our October 24 row on the satellite view, you see 2 field patterns. One circular, one rectangular. I presume this is for irrigation. Why would you use one over the other, and if one is better, why don't you use it for all of them?<br /> <br /> </td></tr></table><br />Excellent question Jim, I was looking down in an area in the states, for about 200 miles about 90 percent of fields were this circular pattern. My guess was, if you have lots of land at your disposal, planting and harvesting the crop would be extremely easy if worked in a widening spiral swath. No stopping to make 90 degree turns means you could probably drink about 5 times more beers and still get the crop tended to But, I'm not really a farmer so don't have a clue. Could it be to prevent erosion maybe? Here's a pic of one of the areas I found... It only took me about 2 hours to figure out how to get it into this post, so I hope you think it is pretty... <br /><br /><img src='http://www.geocities.com/zipdoodaa2003/ ... ircles.jpg' border='0' alt='user posted image' />

[[old] ulu]

Very pretty, Rickman.<br /><br />12k for me today.

[[old] Mark Keating]

<!--QuoteBegin-ulu+Oct 24 2005, 06:34 PM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(ulu @ Oct 24 2005, 06:34 PM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->A question for all of you farmers out there. If you zoom in on our October 24 row on the satellite view, you see 2 field patterns. One circular, one rectangular. I presume this is for irrigation. Why would you use one over the other, and if one is better, why don't you use it for all of them? <br /> </td></tr></table><br />I spoke with the rest of the farmers in our group and the concensus is that while the circular patterns are indeed fields serviced by irrigation "pivots" (since the sprinkler pivots in a circle), it is likely that most of the green rectangles are simply fields of some crop growing actively without the aid of irrigation. The reason I say this is because most of the rectangular fields are far removed from a source of surface water and they are not perfectly symmetrical.<br /><br />A common practice in semi-arid climes like S. Alberta, where irrigation isn't an option all the time, is for farmers to "strip-till" their fields where one strip of ground is planted to a crop one year (green in the picture) while a similar sized strip is left bare (called fallow and is brown in the picture) next to it that same year. The following year, the fallow strip would be planted to crop and the previously cropped strip would be fallowed. The purpose of this is to reduce the likelihood of soil erosion due mainly to wind - the strip with actively growing crop provides a wind barrier. Ideally, every acre would be planted every year since this greatly reduces the likelihood of erosion of any kind, especially with minimum and zero-tillage practices. However, the limiting factor for farmers is moisture - annual rainfall isn't adequate to support continuous annual crop production so the soil is given a rest every second year or so to replenish its moisture reserves.<br /><br />I'm not sure which system is better, since we don't use irrigation on our farm, but I think that the type of crop grown and the shape of the field would determine the system to be used. Some crops (potatoes, beans, carrots are examples) require "between-row" cultivation throughout the growing season to control weeds. This is a very precise operation since you want to cultivate as many weeds as possible while damaging zero crop and would be infinitely easier if one were able to travel in a straight line rather than on an arc (kind of like rowing on water I guess). The irrigation system would also travel straight up and down the rows as well, rather than in a crop-trampling arc. Also, as you can tell in the picture, the pivots don't reach into the corners of the fields at all.<br /><br />Good question Jim - I hope I got the answer right!

[[old] Mark Keating]

<!--QuoteBegin-RickMan+Oct 24 2005, 07:41 PM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(RickMan @ Oct 24 2005, 07:41 PM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->My guess was, if you have lots of land at your disposal, planting and harvesting the crop would be extremely easy if worked in a widening spiral swath.  No stopping to make 90 degree turns means you could probably drink about 5 times more beers and still get the crop tended to    But, I'm not really a farmer so don't have a clue.  Could it be to prevent erosion maybe?  Here's a pic of one of the areas I found...  It only took me about 2 hours to figure out how to get it into this post, so I hope you think it is pretty...  <br /> </td></tr></table><br />That is a cool pic Rick. You're right about the 90 degree turns - it is far more efficient to travel in an arc for some crops on some fields, in other cases it is better to travel in a straight line.<br /><br />I wonder what part of the States that is? Every field is pivot-irrigated; this is a huge investment per acre so it must be an area that produces high value crops. Also must be a very dry climate since there is nothing green outside of the pivots. Southern California? Arizona?

[[old] RickMan]

<!--QuoteBegin-Mark Keating+Oct 24 2005, 10:01 PM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(Mark Keating @ Oct 24 2005, 10:01 PM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin--><br />I wonder what part of the States that is?  Every field is pivot-irrigated; this is a huge investment per acre so it must be an area that produces high value crops.  Also must be a very dry climate since there is nothing green outside of the pivots.  Southern California?  Arizona? <br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br />You can type in the coordinates you see on the map pic into GoogleEarth just like so in the Fly To search field...<br /><br />32 57 24.11N 102 16 18.97 w<br /><br />It will take you right to the spot if you want to look more closely, there's lots more circles in the area... it is around the north west corner of Texas... Google Earth is really a gift of technology. I can't believe it is free!<br />

[[old] GutBustin']

Hi Guys,<br />Sorry I haven't added any ks the last week or so- I have been doing other physical exercises.<br /><br />However, a minimal 3.5 k today.<br /><br />I've really enjoyed the photos. This is becoming a great great thread.<br /><br />GB

[[old] Calgary Rob]

Another apology for non-rowing.<br /><br />My excuse ... the unseasonal warm sunny weather in southern Alberta has had me out running. My contribution should be more regular soon, assuming we don't reach St. John's before winter arrives in Calgary <br /><br />The google earth pictures are great, I guess the prairies look better from that height.<br /><br />Anyway, 11km for me today (24th Oct).<br /><br />And in answer to an earlier post, Calgary has around 400km of paths of which 250km are bikeable. A recent survey counted 13,000 people per day passing through the centre of Calgary on the path by bike, foot, rollerblade etc.<br /><br />Keep pulling.

[[old] Little Linda]

Hi Everyone, Jim has finally managed to recruit his wife! I figured that by joining the Eh!Team, my rowing would emerg from the realm of best intentions. I have been following your progress and enjoying your posts, and I will endeavour to do my best in our journey together. So, in the words of Bob and Doug (whom I don't exactly immortalize, but I do like beer)...row on, eh?

[[old] Bill Slater]

12 K Jim??!!<br /><br />Do you do this as intervals or just a straight piece? I've got some building to do!<br /><br />Bill

[[old] NightRower]

12.4K<br /><br />Darren

[[old] jetwbt]

18K today<br /><br />-Brian

[[old] RickMan]

<!--QuoteBegin-Bill Slater+Oct 25 2005, 12:36 AM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(Bill Slater @ Oct 25 2005, 12:36 AM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->12 K Jim??!!<br /><br />Do you do this as intervals or just a straight piece?  I've got some building to do!<br /><br />Bill <br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br /><br />Bill, if you want to feel better about your times, don't look at theirs to compare, just look for mine. They will make you feel a whole lot better. I was bragging last week about a personal best of two 7k stints during 2 consecutive days. I'm still recovering!!<br /><br />Jim, today I did 3k. (I rest my case (and my poor, tired carcass ))<br />