Took me 30-45 mins to travel 1 mile the other time I went... On a Sunday. Zero accident or construction. Just because of merging. We have that issue here too, but that was just ridiculous.

Some days I am above but most of the time I'm low enough. That kinda worries me if I move to a higher elevation. Maybe I'm in the right spot.

Yes

Alberta and maybe Saskatchewan for employment. That’s it. Even then it’s meh. A good outing with the fam with gorgeous weather doesn’t negate the consequences of years of poor federal & provincial decision making behind the scenes. For example, get AI to do a deep dive into the “Cowichan Ruling”. Preferably Grok as some AI puts a spin on it different from reality. It’ll curl your hair as this would be unthinkable in the US. Private property values affected by this ruling have nosedived. Fear my property could be effected in the future. Anyway, another beautiful day weather-wise. Mid-September ridges are my favourite next to an Arctic blast.

One time I was stopped at a red light, fully within my lane and driving completely normally, and a cyclist kicked my car while blowing by me on the right (to run the red, of course). For this reason, I strongly suspect you did something to deserve it. Cyclists should be put in prison for life. Death penalty for the ones that ride down the middle of the road blocking traffic.