meloroast profile

I like the look of the kneepads and that they extend a bit higher than most. But it almost seems like they are also shorter not extending over the shins quite as much as typical knee pads...

This is a great list thanks Pete! Even something like this list...a quick and dirty summary of some key resources for newbies would probably go a long way. I just added that book to my queue.

I totally agree. Part of the reason why I chimed in here was just because I enjoy the site a lot but am at a loss when it comes to some content. That's the growing space though. Just because a reader doesn't find content at their level doesn't mean a site should necessarily shift gears. :) 

At some point I'd like to think I will be able to get more out of the super nerdy content!

Yes absolutely I've been advocating for MBs to do a course unfortunately with Covid all the in person ones have been cancelled in the past year. I'll definitely be looking around though.

Just reserved it from the library! Thanks for the suggestion.

I totally agree. I can do some basic car maintenance now that I wish I had known about years ago. When you're at my level, it just all seems overwhelming. But I also have to choose to engage. That is on me.

Thanks Cam. I by no means think nsmb should deviate from its intention or current content. I enjoy reading the gear-head/techy comment sections and am often intrigued at the level of detail people get into. I too am a geek...just on different subjects! Part of it is my own reluctance and laziness...and no one else is responsible for that.  

There is a lot of content out there for the novice rider/wrencher...almost too much. And I think most of my questions would be best demonstrated in person vs an article. Part of it is just about me getting more comfortable with a foreign topic. 

I'll think about it though.

This is a great article and something I've been thinking about for...the past 5 years. My problems are the following:

- I love my bike but know nothing about wrenching (literally nothing) and so the idea of taking things apart YouTube style then having to bring it into the shop cause I f-ed something up is detracting me from getting my hands dirty. 

- I am, tbh, not all that interested in wrenching/tinkering...even though I know I should be and might be more if I just started. 

- Whenever I ask for input on BASIC things I should know I get a kazillion different responses so I throw my hands up and continue with the basic "rinse and lube" (followed of course by the occasional full washing which usually results in contaminated brakes...) and annual maintenance at the shop. 

- I have very limited tools. I also live in a condo a stones throw from Fromme that decided 10 bike lockers and a huge dog wash room were needed but a simple hose/space setup out back for mtbs was not. Space is at a premium. 

All this to say I really enjoy the nsmb site and I learn a lot. But I struggle with lack of content for the true novice/reluctant wrencher.  Most articles read like greek to me. So while I'd love to do my homework I can't even read it and there is currently no google translate for the wrenching. 

Help!

Another Dick Proenekke convert! My job here is done. Glad you enjoyed it!

It's awesome to see process videos loaded with vulnerability... and humans just supporting each other. Thanks!

I pay in cash (NSMBA annual membership) and sweat (trail building days). I think both are essential and should be mandatory BUT obviously not enforceable which is also a model I support. 

I put in a lot of trail building hours last year for the first time in my 6 years of riding and I loved it, made great friends, and learned a TON about the trails that have actually helped my riding. Highly recommend it if you can.

Totally depends on mood, energy level, time to ride, and whether I'm riding solo or w group/friend for me. I live at Mtn Hwy/Lynn Valley Rd so Fromme is closest but Seymour is up there and I also love heading to Squamish for the day. I've ridden SFU, Sumas, Burke etc but North Shore/Squamish are my favs. 

Locally, if I'm kinda tired from work sometimes I prefer the mtn hwy climb as a mindless grind. Sometimes I want to ride something familiar vs a trail with a lot more features I'm working on and have ridden less. My approach this year is to try new trails so I have more of a range to pick from. 

Vibe is also a factor...east Seymour (Old Buck) feels different from Hyannis entry etc. I definitely tap into intuition more than anything, especially if solo riding. 

But to answer your question...no! Live your life, ride your bike.

I'm over 40 so when AZ was available I registered at about 7 pharmacies in North Van. Nothing. Most of my friends ended up calling small pharmacies within the day of the announcement and got in. 

I work in the Aldergrove 2 days/week and my boss there told me later that week, he got an appointment at a local Shoppers so I stopped by on my way home...asked if they were taking walk-ins, they said yes! I waited 10min, got my shot, 15min wait then was on my way! Total of 30min! Couldn't believe it!

Well the good news is these encounters are rare and hopefully will remain so. I've been trail running and mtb-ing on the north shore for 7 years now and can count on one hand the negative experiences I've had, even in the past year given the huge increase in volume. Ya, there are the occasional grumpy or rude faces, but generally whenever I encounter another user group, everyone goes through the Canadian stand-off routine (please go ahead! no you! no you!) and we continue on our merry way. If anything, I've had more annoying experiences with other riders when I'm riding (people riding my ass and not asking to pass - riders taking a break, see me coming, then jump in to be ahead of me even though I've got momentum and speed on my side etc). 

Only thing I can do is be as courteous and nice as I can and remember that humans will be humans and the only thing I can control are my own actions. It can be frustrating but I don't wanna give others the power to ruin my trail time. 

I'll also be on that call this week and I hope the parking restrictions don't come back, mainly because it just pushes people further down the block resulting in a never-ending NIMBY scenario.

Posted by: Sethimus

Posted by: RAHrider

Posted by: syncro

Posted by: cerealkilla_

I agree with this. I think responsible people here drag themselves over coals trying to avoid looking like they are flaunting rules while doing something with no real risk of transmission if they aren't riding with others. This while others are doing crossfit, going to the gym, dining out - all in groups that include people outside their bubble. Unfortunately, Bonnie needs to set aggressive standards because despite telling us not to, I still see groups of riders who definitely aren't all from the same bubble riding together.

why is it possible to even doing these things?

gyms and restaurants are closed here since october? you can order take out, that’s it. yet, our numbers are also climbing again. because our fucking politicians can‘t get around closing EVERYTHING down for some weeks. work and open schools are too important for them, yet this are the places most infections occur now.

It's very possible! Gyms and restos have been open since October (yoga studios on/off). I don't know about private gyms but the North Van community centre gyms have remained open since last year. Last time I was there was in the fall and you had to wear a mask until you got to your 'station' (treadmill/bike/rack etc) but then could take it off. As you can imagine, most people just weren't masking at all once they walked in. This is why I haven't gone back, especially now. A friend who attends a CrossFit gym in Squamish has also continued to go, they minimise heavy cardio stuff and make folks do that outside. Not something I wouldn't feel safe doing that but definitely lots of people do.

Also patios are open and have been the whole time (well since summer 2020 anyway).

Posted by: Stuminator

How much money does Bezos need? He could pay his workers a living wage and still have enough money for himself.

Greed isn't rational.

Thanks for all the work! I've been anxiously awaiting trail days...

(good puppers!)

Posted by: DaveM

Posted by: mudrunner

It's a fact. I had one guy blast past our group of 4 twice on Mtn Hghwy (he did Bobsled before heading up to Expresso). Both times without warning and full steam ahead....no acknowledgement at all. The second time I asked him for some warning. He stopped, slowed down and rode with us for a bit...turns out I know him. He apologised and said he just got the bike and was having a a blast....this is a fellow with many years of Shore experience. I was quite quite surprised.

Most everyone I know and have spoken to on the trails have been riding for a long time.

I'm more pissed when I'm slogging up a climb and someone flies past me and I see they aren't on an e-bike :)

Haha if I had a dollar for every time I was passed climbing and thought "wtf he's fast...oh well he must be on an e-... jeezus h!"

Posted by: FatBear

Posted by: meloroast

I saw you were considering carbon...wouldn't bother.

I was initially drawn to carbon because, coming from sailing, if it ain't carbon it's worthless

Definitely not the case for mtb.

Leppard was basically clear a few days ago. Last bits of snow/slush but all clear past bathtub. Was wondering about 7th but thinking it's still pretty sketchy.