skooks profile

Great list Vik! One thing to add that keeps me going is riding with people younger/better than me. Trying to keep up (and sometimes even stay ahead) is a great motivator and has definitely made me a faster/better rider. I introduced a lot of my crew to mountain biking, and it's very satisfying to see them excel at it. 

Great article Cam, and one I can relate to at almost 59. I especially like the bit about riding smarter as you age.

On the other end of the age spectrum, bike shops offer one of the very few opportunities for a young person to develop technical skills*. For the right kid, this can be a learning opportunity for skills that will last a lifetime. If they are lucky, there will be an old guy/gal in the shop who doesn't mind passing on their hard-earned knowledge. I spent years working in a bike shop as a teenager, and some of the best times with my kid were spent in the garage after dinner working on our bikes. He now works full-time as a shop mechanic and is much better than me. I would definitely enjoy working a few days a week in a shop once I retire (which won't be that far off).

*The BC gov has just made amendments to the Employment Standards Act introduced Monday would raise the legal minimum working age from 12 to 16 for most jobs.

Awesome words Cory. I never had the pleasure of meeting Ingrid, but I feel like I would have really liked her.

My Freerider Pros were also my best-performing flat shoes of all time. Light, grippy,  and comfy. Sadly they lasted less than a year before the soles ripped and started to tear off. MEC came through with the warranty, and I bought another pair of 510's. I just haven't found any other shoe that works as well for me.

Ah, right.  I re-read your article, and I couldn't agree more. It's just a bike, don't be scared to work on it. If you don't have the skills/knowledge, find some one who can help, take a course, or consult the interwebs. You will definitely learn something, and you might even fix your bike!

I am the type of person who can build or repair just about anything, just lucky that way I guess. Bikes are pretty simple machines, and I don't recall not being able to fix anything on them. I could build one from scratch if I wanted to. Of course I understand that not everyone can/wants to fix their own stuff, but I would think that a mechanical engineer would be able to figure out how to deal with anything bike related.

Sorry, I don't get it. It's a bicycle, not rocket science. The only really complicated components are shock/fork dampers, and even those  aren't too difficult to work on if you have the right tools. If you can't/don't want to repair your broken parts, I will happily take them off your hands!

When I was running RF carbon cranks, I was always wondering when they were going to fail. Now that I am running Shimano cranks I never think about them at all.

I'm glad the RF cranks are working well for you. I have tried them, and honestly couldn't perceive any functional difference between them and my alloy Shimano cranks. I actually never think about them at all, since I know they will never fail. The RF cranks? It was always I'm the back of my mind that they could fall at any time. Not for me thanks.

Carbon cranks? No thanks! I have seen far too many of them fail, mostly RF brand. I will take  Shimano alloy cranks and pay the small weight penalty any day of the week thank you very much. Has anyone managed to blow up a set of XT or xtr Hollow tech cranks? I sure haven't.

The only time I have carried bear spray was in the Chilcotins. After getting up close and personal with a cougar on Frome recently, I may start carrying spray on all of my rides.

Nice! What trail is that?

My ns4 was bent in a rear ender, as was the hitch receiver. ICBC replaced both with new ones and didn't ask for the old ones back. I repaired the old rack and sold it for a good price to someone who was happy to get it.

Posted by: switch

I hope they start nailing those fuckers riding the east side of Seymour.  Guys are assholes.  "Oh, I didn't see a sign saying no bikes."

And then everyone whines about e-bikes...

Well that's one opinion. I dont think people will stop riding loamers, despite signs or fines.

I think it's $125.

Read closely:

https://www.instagram.com/p/By4RD1RHbfB/?igshid=17onca9227akp

The mom turned and growled and  the cub ran up a stump on the opposite side of the trail. Luckily the dog was behind us.

Ha, too funny.

Just ran into a large cougar and cub on lower floppy. Be backed off in a hurry and didn't see them again. Be careful out there!

Posted by: E-wok

Posted by: Brocklanders

I have.. pretty much put in no effort for quick climbing. Dunno where this better workout data comes from. Fox News?

I highly suspect in the near future, like Fox News, you haters will change your tune , delete your past comments , learn how to ride an Emtb properly, and become the Newbie you currently despise.

The future is here, don’t hesitate to buy one and go have some fun.

I highly doubt I will do any of the things you suggest (other than having fun) any time soon. I already have a real bike that I enjoy riding, and I have no desire for a motor.