cerealkilla_ profile

Epi pens usually have expiry printed on them. Their lifespan can be reduced through exposure to extreme temps, particularly heat. That being said, there is little risk of harm from using an outdated epi, just risk of reduced effectiveness.  With benadryl, liquid caps work a bit faster, but degrade faster. Hard tabs can remain close to full potency well after expiry. 

One trick for avoiding wasps (you likely know)...second rider gets stung. Another reason to be first in the singletrack. Thankfully, this year doesn't seem too bad for wasps, and this heavy rain will likely put a damper on their vigor. Have a great race!

Fender!!! I did the BCBR about ten years ago during a REALLY wet year. It was pretty much a mud-fest for the first four days. I think I was pretty much the only person with a decent front fender. It  made life more tolerable day-to-day, and shortened my clean-up time at the end of each stage. I ditched it when things turned sunny in Gibsons.

You mention having an epi-pen in the rear bag. Can you comment a bit more about riding with one of these in tow? Have you had to use it on the trail ever? Had any break? How often do you replace?    I am assuming this is for wasp stings. I often carry benadryl tabs (solid, not liquid tabs). I have found they can be important to OTHER people and not just me in case I come along a person in trouble.

I thought that too at first glance. However, once you put your hand on the bars and ride a bit, it becomes clear that snagging is not an issue. The nubs are actually a rounded surface pointed slightly inboard at the end, and they basically sit flush against your pinky rather than sticking out. Only way to snag is if you take your hand off the bar, at which point you're probably screwed anyway - or by striking farther inboard - again, if that happens you're likely in trouble already. Think of it as pinky-armor rather than a bar extension. This is why control set -up is key, as you establish a more specific position for the hand, rather than having extra grip-length to wander upon. I've now put them to the test numerous times and can say the only snag issues I encountered were catching loopy brake-cable on my other bikes as I hang them on the rack.

Always dreamed of having a Brodie Catalyst. I finally found one.

https://nsmb.com/photos/view/510/

Darn you both for robbing us of cheap entertainment by taking this the civil adult route. Great conversation to follow. Thank you both.

Counterpunches! Definitely among the best new products I've seen lately. Found it really important to get the control set up just just right, but once dialed in, there is the added benefit of no wandering on the grip. My hand goes where it belongs and then it stays there. 

No pockets on the jersey? Did you carry a pack in the BCBR or just keep everything strapped to the bike?

Thanks for this article Andrew

Phil can climb pretty well already ....this bike just makes it ridiculous.

Unfortunately, thieves also walk among us, and this can make identifying stolen goods very difficult. I bought some parts from a guy I (thought I) knew who worked in a local shop, some high-end wheels and a nice bar-stem combo. A few weeks later, another rider stopped me and told me the parts were stolen. The parts were distinct, and it was clear from the details they provided that the parts had been ripped off.  I gave the parts right back, and then went and had a "conversation" behind the shop with the guy that sold me the goods. His boss was also informed.

This is a really great breakdown. Thanks. I'll be referring to this directly as I clean my brakes.

I also had problems with Stans tape (and the very similar WTB tape and Giant tape).

However, I found a trick for ensuring a good seal. 

After installing the tape, I inflate the tire with a tube in it and leave it overnight (hard, 35 psi or more). This uses the tube-pressure to press the tape to the rim-bed until the adhesive has cured a bit. Then, pop out ONE BEAD ONLY, remove the tube, and add sealant and inflate.

This also makes the final inflation easier because one bead remains fully mounted.

Aforementioned heat gun or blow dry for removal and I have never had to touch solvent.

Awesome. Way to go bros. Could have been a nice thing, easy parking, go for a ride, grab a snack.

But you had to be sooo awesoooooooome about it.

This is EXACTLY why we cannot have nice things.

Posted by: andy-eunson

He waited ahead for me but apologized profusely for being a dick. That was that. 

We need more of this. THIS is called "manning up" or whatever term people prefer.

Too many people trying to make justifications for how their personal individual choices are okay. The directive to recreate in one's own community is to decrease travel across regions, decrease trips to service establishments (restaurants etc), decrease people sharing vehicle rides together, and reduce complexity of contact tracing when that must occur.

Ultimately, everyone following the directions is best to manage the pandemic. Every time someone decides their own choice is exceptional because they're assessing their own risk, they are ignoring the societal-wide challenge of bringing the pandemic under control.

Unfortunately, the conscientious majority will continue to be held hostage by those that put their own needs and wants ahead of societal good. Those that buck the rules (as in all parts of life) are parasites on those that actually support broader public health initiatives. 

This selfish lot, which hypocritically often tends to be the ones most vocal about how unjust the health Orders are - despite their failure to comply....this lot coasts along because our Government has largely sought to take a non-coercive approach. Not only does a more strictly regulated approach tax resources too much, it also impacts compliant people (and poor people) too much. From a value perspective and rights perspective, there is also reluctance to be overly heavy handed in the application of Orders. Thus, there has been little follow-up on collecting fines, and people that have (say) had ferries turned around due to their personal beligerence, are generally handled with kiddie-gloves and fines rather than the type of punishments the rest of the passengers desire.  People whine and moan about our tyrannical Govt, yet the majority of Dr. Henry's orders have been recommendations and requests. It's not just flaws in our Govt and health systems that have led us to this point.....it is selfishness, and the evolving modern belief that freedoms and rights revolve around consumption, recreation, and socializing........this is a very distant mutation from what the progenitors of our Charter had in mind.

They are indeed riding Surrons as Dave points out.

What's worse, is that they have been trying to claim status as trials bikes, even though they lack soft tires at low psi. This has pissed off the trials club greatly. Trials bikes are permitted by Squamish bylaws in (most) areas where MTBs also ride, such as Valleycliff and Cheema Lands. However, user club agreements and district  bylaws (where applicable) are against dirtbikes in such areas. 
This is a good example of a few selfish riders endangering trail access (and trail integrity) for all

Dave, you potentially have the best opportunity to be an influential and positive spokesperson for responsible eMTB riding. Any ideas how you (or others) might educate these folks (and the others that may likely follow them)?

The next wave is here. There's a couple of DBs on full electric dirtbikes (class 3 ebike throttle twisters) ripping up the trails in Squamish. Looks like 3 inch tires - so perfect for accessing riding trails and ripping the dirt off them. Not electric trials bikes, and not pedelecs. 

Been spotted in the Alice Lake Park, district trails and bike paths, private lands where dirt-bikes are prohibited, and on trails recognized by most rational residents as MTB-Trials only based on user-group agreements.

As more of these things are sold without any sort of guidance on their use from the sellers and marketers, it's just going to get messier - and the trails and trail access will suffer the most.

Yup, they could all do more. Agreed.

I do see ongoing communication around trail etiquette from rider clubs, and from riders themselves.

However, whenever the topic of etiquette specific to ebikes comes up, it is seldom if ever ebike riders leading the conversation, and zero input from the influencers (we know who they are). Instead it is just argue this and argue that when anyone suggests there are problematic issues to deal with.

The shralp and shred aesthetic is going nowhere - nor do the vast majority of riders ever reach a level to actually shralp and shred. But all riders use trails and interact with others. That's where the biggest problems are likely to occur.

Posted by: Hepcat

It seems the E-bike manufacturers would advertise for more responsible riding practices to avoid bad PR?

In THIS I find the most fault.....and with the influencers and reps. Not a single peep from them on how to responsibly integrate the new technology with existing patterns of trail use. Nope. No contributions to help with etiquette, reduce risk, or make nice. Nope. Just yahoo! with a big dumb smile and thumbs sticking up, and lots of videos posted of ripping upward on the descents. 

Even when some of them have been very clearly challenged to provide a voice of responsibility (as so many do in Mountain biking), no response is given.  And THAT is probably the biggest threat to ebike use there is - the reluctance to demonstrate responsible leadership in one's own sport.  They would rather take the chance on dragging down all riding, than step up to the plate and say, "Yeah, etiquette is important. Risk mitigation is important. Here's our ideas of how to achieve that."

Sad.

Posted by: knnn

Some interesting perspectives, thanks for the input.

There are three main reasons I'm considering an eMTB; specifically my age (now 61), two ACL's in poor condition and too many competing interests to allow me to become mountain fit.   I used to ride Fromme a fair bit and know how much effort is involved, particularly if wanting to hit up 7th and then do another trail.  Although I'm not yet fully decided,  I suspect that an eMTB will provide me with the easiest route back into the sport and the ability to keep biking for longer.  I'm also considering getting back into trail maintenance, however, that is a very slippery slope which I am not sure I want to get sucked back into quite yet.

Considering I would do most of my riding on Fromme and Seymour, I have been wondering as to the likelihood that these trails could be closed to eMTB's in the future? 

I'm also not really clear as to the arguments or perceptions why eMTB's need to be banned from trails, as long as they are assisted rather than throttle based?

Is it due to the perception that they do more  damage to the trails because of the heavier weight and increased numbers of laps? 

Do eMTB riders tend to exhibit a relatively higher degree of poor trail etiquette ?

Your questions - my humble contribution.

1. I would guess unlikely to see future restrictions, given the increase of ALL types of riding. Really this probably depends on good conduct of ebike riders. It only takes a few of any group to make the rest look bad. Ebikes are still a smaller group without a well organized lobby or representative group advocating for them, or speaking out about proper riding etiquette. That potentially makes them vulnerable. However, the 2018 provincial position paper on ebikes on public land currently protects them quite well. Now, Ministry said clearly the policy would be reviewed, but I doubt that has happened yet, due to other distractions. However, decision-makers and the public won't waste time if there was a sudden increase of problems with ebikes....they would just bring in restrictions. Still, if any restrictions were to come into play, they would likely only affect certain areas such as certain busy multi-use areas, park areas, or so forth. In my humble opinion, unlikely. 
2. Reasons vary. Some are off-the-wall (i.e. waaaahhh they're cheating) - others are based on issues that in fact are not well understood, such as (potential) trail impacts, speed of uphill traffic, questions of insurance based on those with liability for the trails (see Kootenay Columbia Trails Society). You could probably spend a week reading the arguments back and forth, and still not cover it all. The main thing is they introduce additional energy and propulsion and weight, and they let novice riders get into situations and areas they may otherwise not reach. These are not stand along problems that means ebike = bad, but the consequences of these factors is not yet understood fully, so arguments continue.
3. For some, yes. Many people will point to the old IMBA study that showed no difference between emtb and mtb UNDER a very limited set of conditions. Not proof. Just one small study. However, there are other questions, such as whether or not people reach of the ebike more often when the weather sucks because they can sport fenders and rain gear and still ride. THere are also issues about people modifying ebikes to have higher output, throttles instead of pedal assist, and the emergence of other technologies that may push them close to moto and farther from bikes. For the current moment, however, it's not just the technology, it is how it is used.  Others argue that the (approx) extra 20 pounds of ebike is no different than an extra 20 pounds of person (ignoring the fact, that when a person chooses a bike, their weight does not change). Anyways, blah blah blah, it goes on and on.
4. That's hard to say. Very vague. There is minority in EVERY user group that is a total and utter dipsh*t. EVERY group. Except maybe Waldorf teachers - they seem like a good lot. Anyway, the only difference with that minority of ebikers in the dipsh*t category, is that they are a dipsh*t with an ebike instead of a dipsh*t with a MTB. Either one can do harm. Arguably, the one with the ebike can go a little faster up a hill, can climb trails everyone else is descending, and packs an extra 20lbs of bike....but really the flaw is in the person, not the bike.

Posted by: mammal

100% agreed with what cerealkilla_ wrote... 

But I'll add: Aside from ebikes attracting the "jerks" perhaps more than a regular bike would, they are also attracting complete beginners. And although they may not intend to act in a "jerk manner" the natural progressive nature of traditional mountain biking (beginning on lower/shorter trails, not having the fitness to blow past others) tended to keep those people somewhat in check until they have gained more knowledge of the nuances and etiquette of the sport. The popularity of Ebikes has "short-circuited" that natural process in many cases.

Ha! This reminds me of something I saw last week....some kid on an ebike, stranded at the end of a (rather easy) trail. He was receiving assistance from 3 other people, and was good natured about his predicament, if not a bit sheepish.

His problem you may ask?

His pants were tangled in his drive mechanism, rendering him immobile. He could neither dismount nor extract his leg from his pants without 3 other people assisting him. I asked them if they needed help, and resisted the urge to take a picture. 

Is it really such a great idea that any rider can get themselves into pretty much any situation? 

Super tech climb to reach that gnarly trail? No problem!  Total beginner with minimal fitness and zero handling skills? No need to stick to the easy accessible trails until you build your skill - just motor right up to the top and let er rip!

Pants stuck in drivetrain. That is all.