mudrunner profile

Metalheads unite!

Also...Norco has something shore-specific in metal coming out this year.

Great review. I have the pants and I concur...nicely simple. The pockets are the only thing I would change....they need to be a wee bit larger and move them down a bit (so that stuff isn't sitting right where your leg and hip move). Better yet, get rid of the pockets all together and drop the price a bit.

Also....I add Gore-Tex socks to my kit for an all around weather seal. Even if I am a bit warm, at least the cold water doesn't get in.

I've had that Evoc bag since last June and I'm actually really happy with it. I am not a fan of SWAT shirts as they just feel too hot and constrictive on summer rides. I despise backpacks even more. So the bum bag wins. 

I don't have an issue with the front compartment because I put all the small/loose items in one of the 3 internal pockets (it keeps things from jangling around). I keep a minimalist tool kit in a mesh bag, so nothing falls out. I opted for the bladder, so it takes up a bit more room that does not leave me  a lot of extra space if I want a spare tube and a jacket (I have to pick one or the other). For long treks, I stitched on two webbing straps that I can now loop a jacket through.

The breathable back design works really well, and the two side tensioning straps are great for adjusting on-the-fly (loose on the climb/cinched for the descent...or as the water gets used up). My only complaint is the magnetic clip for the bladder hose. It's a slide clip that goes on the belt. The magnet is quite strong and I've pulled off the clip many times....and eventually lost it. A closed loop clip would have been a better idea.

I've used this bag for 7 hour rides, as well as 1 hour rides....full and almost empty. It forces me to really think about what I am packing for a long ride, so I don;t haul the kitchen sink with me....and therefore, I enjoy the ride much more.

Sounds like we are of the same lineage....bear traps to cages (metal and then short plastics) to SPDs (which I used for years) to flats with Vans and eventually proper shoes. I tried the combo pedals, but went back to freeing the feet.

I've been a 5.10 fan for a few years...and yes the insoles are flimsy, but most shoes have crappy insoles. I'd rather have a proper fitting pair of shoes and and upgrade the insole than to switch to a lesser shoe with a better insole. I bought a pair of "Sole" for my trail runners (same issue...crappy insoles are rampant) and it was a massive improvement, so I use them in all my shoes now. No need to buy new insoles for each pair of shoes. I have 2 sets of Soles that I move around between trail runners and cycling shoes. Happy feet, happy trails.

As they say...."If the shoe fits, wear it".

I get it now....I've been riding Bookwus since I had Judy forks, and I try to get on it a handful of times each year. I rarely see anyone with interest in riding it, but in the last week, I had two groups asking me about it (one group was a couple of young teens...awesome!)....looks like the signage and/or this article has people seeking it out.

"...These riders sometimes fail to realize that these lines were once much different and their affection for trail decay shouldn’t override either the original or current builder’s desire to maintain it to a certain level. ..." .

And let's not forget that the original lines were ridden on very different bikes...geometry, technology, and material.

To that point, Kirkford is an excellent example of how a trail can change over time...It was only the original Kirkford for about 2 years before it eroded away into  water funnels and gulleys, and the subsequent the work was put in to make it the S-curves it has now. 

In the climbing world, the route is established (and named) by the first ascentionist. Any changes to the route are deferred to that person.

As someone who works in the lighting industry, IP67 is nice, but it is not essential for a bike light. IP65 is more appropriate for riding on the North Shore or anywhere else in the world

IP65 gives "protection against low-pressure jets of directed water from any angle". Components are tested using a something that resembles a multi-head shower nozzle. Rain and tire splashes would be really, really low pressure jets. In fact, your lights will probably see tougher conditions on the drive over to the ride if it's on the roof of your car.

IP66 gives "protection against direct high pressure jets" ...so that you can clean your bike with a pressure washer and your lights will still work. Your bike's bearings may have an issue, though.

Since Balckburn is IP67, of course that's what they'll tout as a standard since it will weed away some legit competition....but IP67 is only testing for temporary immersion...NOT water jet or water spray. So it is not the most appropriate for riding in rainy conditions. Unless you plan on falling off the Ladies Only teeter totter and leaving your bike in the swamp for over 30 minutes.

FYI...almost every municipality street light standard, and most car headlights are IP65.

I have pro and con opinions on eBikes, but competition was not something I had even considered. Kinda makes me laugh....nothing more, nothing less.

Viewership will ultimately decide interest, sponsorship money, and therefore viability. Anyone remember point to point X Country races?

Well said, Cory.

I'll always remember her as one of the couriers during the "golden age"....when many of us would ride around on  pre-suspension rigs (often the same bikes we would race on), without helmets, without licenses,  riding on the sidewalks giving business people a scare, or riding through intersections giving bus drivers reason to honk, and jumping into crowded elevators dripping in sweat or rain water, and having a few chill moments between "Rush" deliveries on the lawn in front of the Bentall towers. Ingrid always seemed to be smiling or laughing. 

Carpe Diem.

I really miss Fat Tire Flyer and the ilk of non-conformists, non-PC, truly irreverent, typo-riddled, bargain basement, low-budget rags...often printed in black and white and handed over between riding buddies.

Progress is good too. While I tend to know what to expect when I open PB, or RedBull, it's consistently reliable, but seldom surprises. It's a bad analogy, but sometimes you just want to try that homemade meatball sandwich instead of the Cactus Club meal.

...what cyclotoine said....at least they gave him something a bit more "modern" in the brake department. I was expecting cantilevers....or maybe a chainstay mounted U-brake.

Also...shoulda thrown in some bear-claw pedals with plastic toe-clips!

Wet slushy mess at the 5th switchback on Monday. Crinkum was more wet slushy mess.

Posted by: tashi

Posted by: mudrunner

Posted by: pete@nsmb.com

Posted by: tashi

....This is not just noobs, either - some of these riders look like they know what they're doing, but they're mentally checking out when they get on the e-bike, and it's not helping the issue.

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.

Some odd editing here, I did not say these things.

Sorry tashi....those words are attributed to Pete@nsmb.com. I just deleted everything else and it shows as your comment...I'll correct that.

Posted by: pete@nsmb.com

....This is not just noobs, either - some of these riders look like they know what they're doing, but they're mentally checking out when they get on the e-bike, and it's not helping the issue.

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.

I'm not really a fan of crediting every trail. A general location would be fine, but listing the actual trail takes some of the sense of discovery away and can add to the "tick-list" type. Maybe it's from seeing over-growth and high density from Instagram posts.

Since we already have a rock climbing analogy, it's the same sentiment of leaving some areas with general ratings instead of specifics (John "The Vermin" Sherman - Stone Crusade).

Was up at the end of the day (Wed Mar 10) and there was still snow at the 5th, but the Crinkum and all trails below were devoid of any snow.

Mountain Highway was mostly clear last night (except for the usual switchbacks...but they are ride-able). First 200 m of Expresso was a bit slick in spots, but otherwise everything below there is in great shape.

My 2 cents....look at all the bikes in the category/price range you decide on....they are very competitive and  it boils down to which bike fits best or which one offers the combo of attributes you prefer.  Remember...you can eventually replace components, but not so easy to switch the frame. Try 'em all if you can....even if it's just around a couple of blocks.  What looks good on paper doesn't translate into preferred fit/feel.

I was out of riding for a few years and when I wanted to get back in, everything had changed (in the biking world that could be 3 years). Here's what I did...

I bought a (modestly) used Rocky Mountain Switch for $900. The parts all worked well but it was 10 years old and heavy. I did not care. It had suspension and it was a starting point. It was a actually a decent ride. I rode it for a full season. I also rented some high end rides a couple of times from some of the local shops. Based on what I found, I had a much better sense of what I liked, what I didn't like, what trails I liked to ride, and what I really needed. Then I looked at what was coming out the next year and set a budget. I did some comparisons, read reviews, and even did some test riding. This gave me clarity....so when I was ready to plunk down my money, I knew I was not wasting it.

Rode Fromme last night.  Some snow on Mountain Highway as you climb past the parking lot, but nothing to keep you from climbing beyond Bobsled. We got to the 3rd switchback  and decided to keep going to the 5th. There was some snow, but two clear tracks that took you pretty much right to the 5th. Crinkum had some snow and some slick parts in the rocky corners....but mostly a nice single track down the middle and still ride-able without having to outrigger a leg. Kirkford still had some snow as well....thought it would have been clear....but nothing that'll get you off your bike. Bobsled and Natural High were totally clear.

Posted by: DanL

The new woodwork at the bottom of lower-lower-lower crippler is looking fantastic

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