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!

I snapped my derailleur coming onto 7th (at the Bookwus junction). I eneded up removing the derailleur as well as the chain (it was pissing rain and I was not into faffing around making a 1 speed...the wrong speed). Aside from a couple of hop on/off cyclocross style manoeuvres  on Leppard, and Griffen, I managed to get all the way down to End of Line without a problem...I even managed to keep up with my buddies. It was actually kinda fun, except when the pedal would spin around and slam into my shin.

If I go to an French restaurant, I expect rich sauces and lots of butter. If I go to a Malaysian restaurant, I expect it will be spicy. If I go to If I go to Burger King, I expect fast service....the food will be bland, but it will satiate my craving. I don't go to Chambar and expect to be in and out in 20 minutes. I don't go to Burger King looking for a culinary experience. 

Personally, the last thing I want is to eat the same food every day. Variety.

What was the topic?

Posted by: gramm

Posted by: LoamtoHome

I'm pretty sure Steve J is correct that DNV already knows what they want to do.... if they have more trails, more staff, more money more work more liability. Just easier to pay a consultant to say that these trails don't meet environmental standards and shut them down and pretend they are environmental stewards of the forest. I know of at least 4 trails on Fromme that got shut from DNV.

Meanwhile dogs roam free and poo bags everywhere cuz dogs are cute.

Steve Jones was very well spoken and had some great thoughts and questions for Council.

Mtn Bikers are such a problem, dogs pooing everywhere, chasing wildlife, running through swamps and creeks no problem though, not to mention the hundreds if not thousands of missing poo bags that must be in the forest these days....

Yep...I see a lot of those poo bags, but I have noticed that they tend to be at the beginnings/ends of trails (dogs tend to take a crap sooner than later in a walk....they are not ones to hold it in). Often, they are withing a few 100m of a garbage receptacle. I cannot figure out why owners leave the bags in place expecting someone else to clean up after them. While riding recently, I found three bags near the Dempsey Connector, so I placed them on a bridge handrail for others to see (maybe they would get the idea)....they stayed there for 4 days before I finally took them out myself. The good news is that there were no new bags added. :-)

Posted by: Brocklanders

There was a big ass pile of gravel near the top of Ladies which almost blocks the road last night. Maybe they are running equipment up and down?

That makes sense. I was up again last night and paid more attention. I didn't see anything at all, but we stopped at Oilcan.

FYI...to answer whisper06's original question, the sign shows that the gate's standard closing time is 6:00 pm.

I rode up there last night. I did not see any signs of construction between the lower and upper gate....so not sure if the work is finished or if it is higher up on Mtn Hwy and they closed the road due to construction vehicles? I couldn't tell if the upper portion had seen some major construction as it was pretty darned dark, and I wasn't paying attention to the road condition (busy chatting).

Closure is from today (Dec 7) to Friday (Dec 11).

Posted by: andy-eunson

Posted by: mudhoney

Severed was originally a hiking trail, and is presently designated multi-use. It's on land owned by CMHC and managed by Rec Sites & Trails BC. It should stay multi-use, it's not a DH race course. Ride it expecting to see foot traffic and be able to stop or slow down when you do.

I’m not sure Severed was initially a hiking trail. I first rode the line in 1987 and was steep then and not really what I would have seen as a good hiking line. Particularly when there is a hiking trail not too far off that. Good Samaritan? I could be wrong but it was my impression that the Cove gang put the line in. But you’re absolutely right. Not a DH race, expect others or a tree down and don’t ride faster than you can see.

Even with a bike, many people hiked it in the early 80's...mostly the notorious left turn.

Posted by: FLATCH

Posted by: seanluge

Welcome to COVID-19. I think hiking has become the most popular family activity right now. If it’s not raining they’ll be out.

Pretty much...but so has family mountain biking (same deal re: rain). If you haven't noticed, it's pretty damned busy between Mtn Hwy parking lot and Bobsled. ..and the summer was so busy, riding up Griffin and KOS  was like being a salmon swimming upstream with all the families riding down. That's fine....they should be out enjoying the trails...on bike or on foot. It's a new world. We just have to adjust.

Like the inference to new hikers, new riders may also not know what is hiking primary or riding primary.

Signage isn't perfect, so let NSMBA, Metro, and DNV know. Whether you're a hiker, trail runner, or rider.

How's the lice, Bdub? Still chronic?

Rode there yesterday. Dales was clear...only a dusting at the open area at the very top of Ned's. Rode Fromme today...snow on Mountain Highway at the 5th switchback. Rode Crinkum, etc...snow free. Looked like the tail end of Leppard was clear.