EDITORIAL
Andrew's 'Vest' Of 2023
On Being Grateful
Reading the news right now is hard. Harder than I remember in my lifetime. Absorbing the idea that there's divisiveness over the legitimacy of killing thousands of little children in Gaza. Seeing how we've collectively started to move on from supporting people in Ukraine, when it hasn't even been a hundred years since 'appeasement' was disproven as a geopolitical tool. Close-to-home, food bank usage in British Columbia (BC) is up exponentially year over year. Long-term food security questions loom as acres of our best farmland continue to be converted to other uses.
A recent SFU study found that almost 40% of BC teenagers are experiencing depression and generalized anxiety. It surprised me that their concerns are my concerns: "Youth most commonly identified housing affordability as the top concern facing Canada and climate change as the top global concern."
With all that's going on in the world, and at home, I find myself balancing the twin needs of recognizing my relative good fortune and running to the hills, recharging in the forest. A forest that has been incredible through fall and winter thus far. Mountain bicycling, and just being in the woods, solo or with friends and family, continues to be a great joy and stress reliever.
My year-end 'best of' pieces have always tended to be very gear-heavy. I did review some excellent stuff this year and I've seeded this piece with gear-focused photos and captions, vest-related and otherwise. For me though, looking back at 2023 through a mountain bike lens, this has been a year that's all about riding, or at least much less about equipment.
I find it hard to explain, but usually, I don't recognize myself in photos. This shot by my friend Meg is a rare exception. Mountain biking is fun. Photo - Meg & Steve
As 2023 draws to a close, I'm feeling grateful. Okay, I just let out a massive yawn, so I'm also a bit tired, but I'm even grateful for that. I've been riding my bikes a fair bit, my friends and family are healthy, my kid is happy, and I'm feeling busy, and useful, but not overwhelmed. I've even started reading again, for pleasure that is, not just to be informed.
I've been riding a lot, eating a tiny bit better, drinking a few milliliters less beer, walking and hiking as much as I can, and I'm feeling pretty good about where I am with my riding. I've even accidentally leaned out a bit. At the same time, I'm moving much faster on a bike, uphill and down, than I have in at least a few years. It's a nice sensation to put in the time and see a result, however small the improvement.
My two best clothing discoveries this year were this Showers Pass EcoLyte weatherproof vest for riding and the MEC Mochilero pants I wear all the time for everything. I mean, I have a couple of pairs now. Photo - Steve & Meg
This EVOC Trail Pro 16 Protector Pack has also been experience-changing. I admit that I've probably been packing too much stuff, but it's comfortable even with extra layers, and snacks, for Claire and me. Photo - Penny
Family & Friends Rides
I've been riding with my daughter a lot. As her skills, strength, fitness, and confidence on her bike increase, it has opened up a wide range of riding opportunities for her to get out with other folks I know. As her papa, I think the best riding advice I gave her, a few years ago now, was to learn to love going uphill. Mountain biking involves a lot of it. And she's become quite a little beast cranking up North Shore climbs on a bike that's the equivalent rider-to-bike weight ratio of me riding a 70lb rig.
Claire and I have a lot of fun riding together, even just we two, but it's important to mix things up and I'm grateful for the opportunities she's had to share riding with peers, and her little cousin, and the lessons it's taught her about keeping things fun by meeting folks at their level. I like to think it helps her appreciate the patient adults in our lives who love to come out and ride with her.
The classic North Shore trail 7th Secret with Claire's rad friend Derek.
Sliding down Bobsled trail with cousin Anderson.
More 7th Secret, this time with Crash Test Kevin.
A Recommendation
Take someone mountain biking who hasn't been, or even who hasn't been in a long while. A friend, a co-worker, neighbour, nephew, niece, aunt, uncle, whatever. Someone will loan them a bike, or loan you one and they can ride yours. Rent one, or maybe the local shop you support has a demo they can hook you up with.
Don't go out on a timeline. Don't go out with any expectations, at all. Pedal, chat, take breaks, eat lots of snacks, and re-experience the thrill and the terror of mountain biking for the first time through someone else's eyes. It's almost as infectious as mountain biking itself and if they get hooked then you'll forever be their patient zero. It's not nothing.
Some of my best moments on the bike in 2023 have been getting to watch my kid get to have that experience for herself.
Claire's Gramma turned this Columbia fleece into a Columbia fleece vest. It's the Clairebarian's go-to when it's crisp but not raining. (Thank you, Gramma).
Claire outgrew her old rain jacket in the sleeves and shoulders but the body still fit. It has to be raining hard for her to choose a jacket over this piece.
High output breathability is what we're all chasing in our weatherproof gear? If you're going full steam then cut those arms off at the seams. (Thanks again, Gramma!)
Cumberland-Redux
If you've never been to Cumberland B.C., it's an amazing place to ride mountain bikes. It's almost an anti-North Shore in how accessible the vast majority of the trail network is and even the spiciest stuff tends to be very open about its difficulty level. Not like here where you can watch a video of someone riding a trail like Bookwus, think 'Wow, that looks pretty easy' and then take your bike for a walk.
I realized after I started putting my list together that I actually had Cumberland on my list for '22 as well. I just have that much fun?! For a total homebody, it's not a small thing that I made it there twice in '23. Once at Easter on a trip organized by my friend Jac (thanks Jac) and then in the summer for my family's annual Cumberlandworx trip (thanks family).
Much as I feel the North Shore is best enjoyed in the fall or early spring - especially this fall, wow has it been fantastic - Cumberland has distinctly different conditions throughout the year. My family goes in the summer out of convenience but the spring brings my favourite riding conditions.
Giro Cascade vest, Easter '23 in Cumberland. The day the weather turned. Beautiful. Photo - Steve & Meg
My favourite trail, to date, is called Numbskulls. The Clairebarian would tell you that there's none-more-fun than Thirsty Beaver.
Most of the trails we ride drop off the main, very friendly, climbing trail Sobo No Michi ('Grandmother's Path'). There are adventures to be had in the main, publicly signed, network.
The folks at UROC an awesome family-friendly network. We've been enjoying the massive network of blue-rated trails there since Claire was pedaling a rigid 20" rig.
But there are certainly spicier moments to be found for folks trying to mix family rides with getting out for solo rips. Photo - The Clairebarian.
Tuesday Rides
Tuesday is my day. Well, at least it's my day for the hours between drop-off and pick-up at school. I don't turn wrenches. I don't write. I do answer NSMB.com comments, but only before and after my ride, and only the good ones. I say 'my' but I usually share it with my friends Jac & Penny along with a rotating cast.
What makes Tuesday special, aside from trails being generally empty but for reams of dog walkers with adorable fur friends, is all about attitude. Generally, for a change of pace, we hike up the mountain and ride down. Sometimes we come down the trails we hike up, but not always. We usually ride my favorite assortment of old-style techy Shore trails. It's nice to get a chance to chat, and sometimes debate, with folks moving at the same pace.
It does lead to the misconception that I almost only ride rigid single speeds, as I end up using a fair few photos from those rides in my work (thank you Jac, Penny, Steve, and Meg).
We've had some amazing weather this fall. Especially on Tuesdays!
The pace is a bit more 'old school' with sessioning as required. Photo - Steve & Meg
We ride Pipeline to Lower Crippler as much as everything else combined. Thank you Ken & Co. and also Andy. Photo - Steve & Meg
This seems like a good place to tuck in a progress photo of my Waltworks V2 repair by WZRD Em. Coming soon to a Tuesday-ride near me. Photo - WZRD.bikes
InVested
More than a few folks accuse me, both online and in-person, of being some kind of crazed evangelist of single-speeding and rigid-forked mountain biking. Apparently, I'm also anti-capitalist for suggesting you consider forgoing a new bike and instead spend money buying parts and paying to service the bike you already own.
I don't know about all that, but one thing I'm absolutely push-push-pushing is vests. Heck, I've started indoctrinating my friends and family. Even my kid is in her fleece vest as soon as it gets a bit crispy and has logged significantly more rides this fall in her weatherproof vest than a rain jacket.
Unfortunately, a lot of vests suck. That's fine. Get the jacket, hoody, fleece, or whatever works for you, and hack the sleeves off. I'm on a three-vest program and two of them were previously jackets.
- CoreRat vest - Previously my friend Sarah's jacket. It's green. It has three pockets which are currently holding a Skeletool, a pen, three peppermints, a notepad that's half-filled with RockShox teardown notes from last season, and a toque. It's my daily driver.
- A Giro Cascade vest that I need to write about but I'm still torn on whether I like it or not. I wear it regularly for commuting, on its own, or under a shell, and rarely wear it mountain biking. I've had some great mountain bike rides in it, but I've also had moments where I'd brought the Showers Pass.
- Showers Pass EcoLyte. This mustard yellow ('Harvest') piece is unapologetically cycling cut. It only truly fits and looks right on my bike, and then it's awesome. It's proven durable, it still looks good after a wash, and it has an easily removable helmet-sized hood I use all the time.
I want to swing back to my EcoLyte Vest review for just one more moment though as it gave rise to the reader comment that made me smile the broadest this year. I'm not saying it was the most interesting or most insightful - there were a lot of great comments in 2023 - but I enjoyed it immensely:
From the comments on my Showers Pass EcoLyte Elite Vest review.
Vests for life. Weatherproof, insulated, or Sarah's old CoreRat vest that's now my daily driver for everything but mountain biking (thank you always, Sarah!) Photo - Crash Test Kevin
My mom bought me this CoreRat vest (thank you, Mom) when I was a teenager. I downloaded this photo in 2008 but it's actually from a group ride years before. Maybe 2004?
The gearhead super-bike-nerd in me is a bit desperate to also pen a 'Best Of Stuff: 2023' but I'm going to take a pass this year. I doubt my list would be too surprising to anyone who reads my work.
Depending on when this piece went live - that's show businesses - I wish you a Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, or a nod, firm handshake, and a pat on the back as I usher you into January. I have a small pile of rad stuff to write about already in 2024 and I'm looking forward to many well-reasoned discussions with readers, old and new, in the next year.
All the best,
Andrew
Height - Steve Buscemi-ish
Wait - Patiently
Ape Index - T-Rex
Age - The same as DOS
Favourite Trail(s) every week - Pipeline (thank you Ken!) to Lower Crippler (thank you Andy!)
Favourite Song(s) this week - I'm Your Man. Nick Cave (covering Leonard Cohen)
Favourite Colour - Cosmic Lilac
Bar Width - It depends
Reach & Stack & ETT - It depends
Crank Length - 175mm except when it's 170mm
Wheel Size - Hot For Mullets
Comments
Karl Fitzpatrick
9 months, 2 weeks ago
Your slightly less Newest Is Best bent is something I really do look forward to seeing pop up on the NSMB home page.
The fact that Cam et al have fostered your evangelical tone about the truly important things in riding (the builders, grom rides/product, great geo, parts that actually matter etc) is the reason I and so many others find NSMB the place to be.
Also, your comment on commenters is spot on. I agree, disagree and learn from a bunch of them.
Merry new year Andrew.
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Andrew Major
9 months, 1 week ago
Cheers, Karl!
I think Cam & Pete do a pretty fantastic job of keeping this place a ‘big tent’ even in the face of stuff like Cooper’s groadieness and whatever you want to call the rigid single-speeding fringeiness I’m engaged in.
I know it’s not always easy. Especially when it comes to the passionately opinionated schism over BroPeds. So it’s good folks recognize that they’re sharing their court instead of just kicking all the tennis players out to make way for pickleball.
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Adam Brown
9 months, 2 weeks ago
Great stuff. Thanks for all your amazing writing Andrew.
If I could give one piece of advice as an educator and parent, get your kids off the internet. It's poison at such young ages. They need friends, adventure, challenges and bikes!
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Andrew Major
9 months, 2 weeks ago
And books! I say to folks not to take my word for it, just ask any and every teacher out there. It's so important for kids to read to themselves and to read with them. Minimum thirty minutes a day. Whatever grabs their attention.
"It's poison at such young ages. They need friends, adventure, challenges and bikes!"
Yes, and also I think for a lot of folks, going a lot of places on the web, this is true for people of any age. One thing I love about the comments on NSMB.com is generally, despite the commenters being largely anonymous, they're respectful even when folks strongly disagree. I know it's just bikes so we're not balancing good & evil around here, but it's still refreshing to me.
Oh, and Cheers, Adam. Happy New Year to you and yours.
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Adam Brown
9 months, 2 weeks ago
I most definitely forgot books from my list! Thank you. I would add old books too. Books that get the mind out of the quotidien.
Here's to a healthy and productive 2024. My first year of Mac Riding with my little one :) Lots to look forward to.
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Andrew Major
9 months, 2 weeks ago
Have fun with the Mac Ride! My only regret when it comes to riding with my kid is that we didn’t get on the KRS seat years sooner.
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Adam Brown
9 months, 1 week ago
Is the KRS seat your recommendation? I haven't bought one yet.
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Andrew Major
9 months, 1 week ago
Hi Adam,
If I was buying a frame-mounted kids' seat it would be the Kids Ride Shotgun 2.0 over anything else I've seen on the market. It's much cleaner than the original and doesn't have the negatives of the Pro model (while costing significantly less than the Pro).
That said, folks with BroPeds or who are absolute royalty about even the most minuscule amount of frame rub should stick with the Pro model.
Shinook
9 months, 2 weeks ago
The internet can be poison for adults, too, it really depends on where you are looking. Comment sections on a different major MTB website being prime example.
That said, as a teenager, I made lifelong friends I still talk to 25+ years later on IRC. Some of my best, most consistent friends have come from playing MMOs at night, again people who have been very supportive through difficult times and are some of my closest friends over the years. They've stuck with me when I took a hiatus to ride bikes, when many of my cycling friends vanish the moment you don't ride bikes for a bit. The information available on building things, maintaining bikes, etc on the internet can be really valuable, I've met 13 year olds who can do an astonishing amount of work on bikes and my son has had his creativity sparked watching people on YT building things to the point I can't keep cardboard boxes around longer than a day before they become some other contraption. As a teenager and adult, I found many friends and challenges outside of bikes and on the internet, things that culminated in a career and passion. It's not all mindless and trivial.
It doesn't have to be poisonous, but like most things, parents need to manage and monitor what their kids are doing. Be active in making sure they aren't getting involved in things they should avoid and help them understand the toxicity that exists in general life, not just the internet. I feel like there is this oft repeated mentality among outdoorsy folks that wants to paint this picture where kids should be avoiding internet, video games, etc and completely ignore the positive benefits they can have in the right context and with moderation. Not everyone wants to be an athlete, not everyone wants to ride bikes, and not everyone is going to go down that path. These things launched a lifelong passion and career for me at a young age that would've left me aimless otherwise. My education as a child all the way through college would have been a lot more productive if some institutions and teachers stopped trying to shove a square peg in a round hole.
I can also say I've seen a lot of toxicity from the mountain bike community on group rides, at bike shops, and various gatherings, so this isn't isolated to virtual interactions.
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Andrew Major
9 months, 2 weeks ago
“My education as a child all the way through college would have been a lot more productive if some institutions and teachers stopped trying to shove a square peg in a round hole.”
I think that’s true for a lot of folks.
My daughter is learning to type this year, she wrote her first article about mountain biking, and did her first PowerPoint presentation at school, and helps me edit photos. So I guess what I mean is there’s a focus on productive screen time while we have that influence.
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lennskii
8 months, 3 weeks ago
This comment has been removed.
Ripbro
9 months, 2 weeks ago
I also want to thank you Andrew for all your articles over the past year. I look forward to reading them and the many comments that usually follow. Great to see you have chiseled out a day to ride each week, mine is Thursday. It’s great to always have something to look forward to every week.
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Andrew Major
9 months, 2 weeks ago
Cheers! And thank you (and everyone else) for reading and engaging. I ride as much as I can - morning, noon, and night - but there's certainly something to be said about an 'always ride' no matter when it is.
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Today - being Tuesday as it turns out - I rode Pipeline and Lower Crippler with my old friends Jac & Andy (who builds on Lower Crippler - thank you, Andy), and my new friends Steve, Meg, and Angela. Conditions were amazing and I even actually rode quite well.
I also met Hafez from 'Haf-Clip' for the first time. Just briefly in passing. Very nice fellow! Fashionable too. He was wearing Lilac riding pants - tres chic, Hafez. I was wearing a new pair of Leopard-print pants that my wife bought me for Christmas (thank you, Nina) so certainly Fromme was stylin' today.
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Have a great ride on Thursday & Happy New Year.
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tmb1956
9 months, 2 weeks ago
Well said. Thank you. I’ve learned a lot from your articles this year.
My three year old, and now four kids in my friend group are wearing Abus youdrop full face helmets.
Now, off to find an old jacket that could benefit from a sleevectomy.
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Andrew Major
9 months, 2 weeks ago
Credit to Claire on the ABUS FF front. I’d still be recommending Super 3R lids for kids if it weren’t for her experience. And really, her ability to articulate it.
I’m seeing more and more all the time (ignoring the permeation through our friends and family). Stoked to hear they’re working for your grom and friend group!
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I love my vest but I can suck ot up fairly well (too hot or too cold). I think optimizing temperature makes such a bigger difference for kids.
Let me know what you end up hacking up jacket wise, and how it works for your grom? Always curious. Sleevectomy!
And cheers & Happy New Year!
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fartymarty
9 months, 2 weeks ago
Andrew - Vest wishes to you and family.
(Sorry, I couldn't resist).
Can't wait for 2024s content. You're one of the many reasons NSMB is the best mtb site on the web.
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Andrew Major
9 months, 2 weeks ago
“Vest wishes to you and family.”
Hahaha. Thank you!
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Lu Kz
9 months, 2 weeks ago
"Please won't you see my Vest"
- Andrew Major
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Andrew Major
9 months, 2 weeks ago
Hahahaha. Totally feeling seen!
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Velocipedestrian
9 months, 1 week ago
Made for old gorilla chest!
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Vik Banerjee
9 months, 2 weeks ago
Thanks for all the best vest related content online Andrew. I hope a company offers you a pro model vest. You deserve it.
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Andrew Major
9 months, 2 weeks ago
Haha. I don’t know. So many industry folks I talk to don’t get why I’d want a weatherproof vest. Plus, I’d want too many sizes in the curve. Some boring colour & also Lilac.
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Vik Banerjee
9 months, 2 weeks ago
It only takes one company owner/product manager to "get it". ;-)
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Andrew Major
9 months, 2 weeks ago
It sounds funny, but Specialized seems willing to step out of line with short-sleeved rain jackets and that crazy full-body poncho that Cooper’s managed to avoid getting photographed in. A vest doesn’t seem like a huge leap?!
Maybe Showers Pass will do a production EcoLyte?
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Sanesh Iyer
9 months, 2 weeks ago
Awesome Andrew.
You took the words out of my mouth with your recommendation. My best rides of 2023 were all taking people out on firsts. First rides on the shore. First rides post crash. A few first night rides. Low expectations, a little crying, lots of play.
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Andrew Major
9 months, 2 weeks ago
I know I’m such a dad, but there’s nothing like riding with kids and watching them progress from whatever fitness/level to whatever fitness/level.
First night rides though… yesss… any age!
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Skooks
9 months, 2 weeks ago
Couldn't agree more about how awesome it is watching kids progress Andrew. And then seeing them get better/stronger/faster than you will ever be!
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Andrew Major
9 months, 1 week ago
Honestly, if my kid can have as much fun riding as I’ve had over the last many years, I’ll consider it a massive win.
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bushtrucker
9 months, 2 weeks ago
Loved the articles and gear reviews this year Andrew. Maybe more than any other year. This is a great point to finish on!
> Take someone mountain biking who hasn't been, or even who hasn't been in a long while.
I recently picked up heavily discounted '23 Norco Torrent S2. Personally I've been curious about the geo of these slacked out hardtails but the main reason I grabbed the bike was so I could loan it out to mates who aren't able to commit to owning their own MTB. Last week I headed out for a ride someone I've know for more than 20 years, which is about a decade longer than I've been riding, and it was easily one of the trail highlights of my year. Hoping for more of that in '24!
Cheers
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Andrew Major
9 months, 1 week ago
That’s rad! In a past life I had a loaner bike and took folks out semi-regularly. It’s usually a win all-around.
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There were some great deals on those Torrents.
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Velocipedestrian
9 months, 1 week ago
>Personally I've been curious about the geo of these slacked out hardtails but the main reason I grabbed the bike was so I could loan it out to mates who aren't able to commit to owning their own MTB.
This is good public service 'Trucker, chapeau!
I'm sure you'll get a lot out of it too, but it's not always easy to lend a bike.
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rockford
9 months, 1 week ago
I'm firmly with you on all fronts in this one. Good tips on how to have a good year!
I only got to Cumberland for the first time in '23, and it was the first place I've ever gone to that has lived up to the hype and then some. I've heard for over a decade how rad it is and sure enough, super rad. Go figure... Planning round 2 for '24.
And I've been a Vestevangelist for ~15 years now. Had a Roach vest forever that was a staple in shoulder-season weather. Never found a better one for the longest time, but ~2 years ago, 7mesh came out with the Chilco vest and with that, I've converted two other disciples to the warm torso, cool arms faith.
And very much pro riding more with others. My wife and son started riding a little and a lot respectively which has been amazing, and I've been trying to hook up on random group rides with semi-strangers to push my comfort zone - both in social anxiety and also in riding. It's all been great for my riding, and my psyche.
Some great content to round out the year ; looking forward to a hopeful '24. Happy Trails.
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Andrew Major
9 months, 1 week ago
Cheers, Rockford,
Have you taken the fam to Cumberland? This summer will be the fourth year we’ve gone. Even at six on her rigid 20” there was tons of fun terrain for Claire* and it gets better every year.
Love’s ice cream, the Roy’s Town Pub, Cumberland Brewing, Moon Records, Biblio Taco - Claire has all her favourite places. I can’t wait.
*I do think our collective dislike of tow ropes and meeting her patiently at her level for fitness and ability helped with this massively. If I can pontificate for a moment.
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Cr4w
9 months, 2 weeks ago
I also love vests but you're right: a good one is so hard to fit it's easier to disassemble an old jacket than to find a great vest off the rack (which tend to be too ultralight/roadie/packable or too warm/fleecy/puffy). And if you're tall then they're all probably too short as well. I'm on the hunt nonetheless.
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Vik Banerjee
9 months, 2 weeks ago
If you are looking for a wind vest vs. a full waterproof breathable garment I really like the Sugoi Versa II Jacket with the sleeves off. The only downside is that it's not super light/packable, but sounds like that not what you are after. Fit is not roadie and comes down quite low on my hips [L at 5'11"]. It has a hood which I like YMMV. I wear it without the sleeves 90%+ of the time. The sleeves are nice if you can only have one shell on a trip. Pockets are useful. Breathes well for MTBing and running.
My GF got one and loves it. It's a hit with several friends as well.
https://www.sugoi.com/en_ca/versa-2-jacket-u702010m
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mrbrett
9 months, 2 weeks ago
Andrew, Big-Vest got to you. I don't know when you sold out to sleeveless (maybe in the previous century?!) but it's pretty obvious. All-vests-all-the-time. I see what's going on here.
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Andrew Major
9 months, 2 weeks ago
Hahaha. Can’t a man just love vests without it coming down to some nefarious cash for content scheme?!
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GB
9 months, 2 weeks ago
Wow that saw blade is still there !
I remember finding out Victor and his son Brian built that trail . 30 years ago ? Longer ? Moutainbiking can be just as much about meeting people. Enjoying ? The challenge of the climb with great conversations while gasping for oxygen.
Oh man I take newbies riding to experience the North Shore thinking I'm on some mellow trail with a few " features " only a few get hooked . Those that do never look back. They become part of the tribe . Embracing challenge.
Saw blade introduced me to mind blowing challenge on bikes. Riding with Victor and Brian oh and Karalaeen humbled me . I walked plenty of the features they rode with confidence and style . Everyone was accepted no one was judged .
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Andrew Major
9 months, 2 weeks ago
Vic & Brian built Upper & Lower Vic’s (still both amazing) and Bean & Nescafé but I don’t know how involved they were with building/maintaining Sawblade.
Sawblade has had exactly the right amount of love and riders over the years. It’s running really nicely. We like to ride Bean or Upper Vic’s first and then head up there.
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GB
9 months, 2 weeks ago
Yes my bad upper and lower Vics trail. I wonder who built Sawblade ? I'm certain Victor helped maintain Vics , Bean and Necafe . He was a regular face on Burke constantly giving back to the sport .
Upper Vics and Bean are janky treasures well worth the climb .
Speaking of janky . I built most of the decrepit janky ladders over the swampy parts of Flyweel 2000. Probably swallowed up by houses now .
Thanks for stirring up old memories.
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Andrew Major
9 months, 1 week ago
I have some good Flywheel stories! Hahaha. I know more than one person who fell off the big log.
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I hadn’t thought about it in years but CTK and I took Claire up to ride Overtime and Frank’s and on the drive up I was explaining we used to ride up from Victoria and ride Flywheel down to the bottom.
It was an interesting conversation about space. There’s all this pressure to drive a car with no TAILPIPE emissions, but where’s the societal pressure to live small and accept density and the benefits it brings - better transit / more efficient land usage.
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BarryW
9 months, 1 week ago
I also agree that in-vest-ing in comfort is a wise financial decision.
Thanks for all the great, anti-consumerism writing. And having just found the blog I'm digging the 'unfiltered' version.
Here's to a great 2024 of pedaling bikes in the woods with cool people.
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Andrew Major
9 months, 1 week ago
I don’t know about ‘unfiltered’ but it’s certainly a personal lens of generally a bit more positivist than my general outlook.
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Cheers for reading an engaging Barry. Looking forward to ‘24 as well.
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FlipSide
9 months, 1 week ago
Happy New Year to you too Andrew! Thank you for all the great articles you wrote for us this year. My best days generally start when there's a new article from you on NSMB! ;)
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Andrew Major
9 months, 1 week ago
Wow. Thank you!
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