Ddean profile

I see it, although Im not sure that Id choose a gravel ride on the same "connectors" that I use to link up MTB trails instead of an MTB ride, but I can appreciate that its another way to enjoy bikes in the "woods", and thats what most of MTBing is for me.

One thing is for certain, these bikes have evolved a hundred years since I bought my JTS with cantis.

That is extremely helpful! Thank you!

Where are you guys who live on the Shore riding these bikes? 

Heading east seems obvious to me, but it seems that you are finding dirt/gravel miles on the Shore? Really?

I can see up Cypress on BLT and up and over and down Cypress West trail - but why? Fromme, up Mountain Hwy and back down Mountain Hwy, but why? Im sure theres an equivalent Seymour route.....but why?

My background is road and one of the things that I miss (basically the only thing I miss) is the breadth of geography that you cover on a road bike versus a MTB, which if you're pounding miles tends to be looping different trails within the same zone), and I would love to find a way to re-connect with that experience.

Not sure that type of adventure is possible on the Shore, so Im asking. Ill get one of these things if it is!!!

29+ on a hardtail is a real thing!

Softens it up a bit with monster traction in the rear. A 2.8 might be a bit better on the front for precision, but I have not disliked my 3.0 DHFs enough to want to try something different, and I know the 3.0 DHRII on the back is exactly what I want.

I cant imagine going to a different size for a HT, especially on the back. Makes the bike IMO.

Ive got the purple Fox XT Spire.

Some thoughts:

1) Yes it has a lot of travel but I blow through travel on this bike like I have in no other, and Im far from a big hit rider. I expected that Id use only 150ish of the 170, but I use the full 170 all the time. It does not feel harsh at the top of the stroke.

2) Long bike - I went with a medium for my 5'9 versus my usual large. No regrets for the terrain I ride - which tends to be more technical jank than fast flow.

3) Stiffness - I have not perceived any of the rear flex that the review mentions.

4) A single bottle is a very tight fit in the medium.

5) First couple rides had a lot of pedal strikes. Ive figured it out better now and theyre not really a problem. I ride in the high position - never tried the lower - dont see the benefit for my riding.

I adore this bike. Super versatile and Im hitting things that I have not outside of a DH bike. It feels like a trail bike to me pedaling it around.

BOOM!!!

And there it is...its about time dammit.

Put that one foot off the ground and I think that anyone who has ever peddled a bike would do it. Its amazing how consequence is perceived as making something more difficult.

I wouldnt ride that but I dont know anyone who couldnt

To me, if they warrantied the rim you need to give them a pass on that it broke in the first place, especially if there was a component of rider abuse in that.

But yeah, RF and carbon scare me. Ive been through two sets of the NEXT SL carbon cranks and the pedal threads delaminated in both. I love my Turbine cranks tho - maybe best cranks ever? My sons' RF alloy rims lasted him 7 days, but.....Shore kid.

Agree it’s a somewhat ambiguous line, but it seems it’s less so in DWV as the legal default for public land is, unless otherwise stated, all trails are all officially multiuse. There are of course situations where you’re not allowed to be on the land, and in that case it doesn’t matter if you’re walking or pedalling. However almost all public land trails prohibit motorized vehicles.

I'm not as opposed to these things as I have been in the past. I dont mind seeing them riding in most of the spots I ride, but hate seeing them in a few zones.

Many of the off-the-grid zones have no motorized vehicle signs up at the entrances and I know for a 100% fact that the DWV considers ebikes motorized vehicles that are not allowed to be in these places. The most upsetting thing is that I know of at least one local shop who sent (ie provided directions to a secret zone) new ebike buyers to one of these zones as a good place to take your shiny and charged  up ebike as it will erase the climb that keeps most out.

You may see specific no ebiking signs going up as ebikers quote the various classes of vehicles when they say that the rules dont apply to them - buyer beware.

Im sure I will get one at one point.

I didnt even see that!!!! 

Times are changing - it will be different but the folks on the side of the table are trying their best to give the MTB community the best outcome possible.

Everyone knows that riding on Cypress is changing and will see major changes in the future. Some of it is good, most of it is terrible, but it is what it is. We all need to do the best we can to shift things from the terrible pile to the ok pile and keep everything we can in the good pile.

The developers and DWV are, in my opinion, doing their best to do the same when it is possible. Its a fact that there is going to be rampant development on the mountain and MTBing will be broadly and negatively impacted, but I want to deliver some better news today.

Many of you have seen the below overlay showing:

1) That a proposed multiuse trail (above the 1200ft ceiling for development) was going to occupy the same spaces as SOB, SexGirl, parts of PullTab and some other things,

2) That Roach Hit was slated to become a pedestrian path.

IM PLEASED TO REPORT THAT OUR VOICES WERE HEARD! I dont know who paid for the survey to realign the multiuse path, but they now have it avoiding SexGirl and SOB. AND theyre moving the pedestrian path west of Roach Hit. We dont know exactly where other then we have been told that theyll avoid RH. RH might have a sidewalk on it (LOL) but RH lives on (or it seems it may today).

Celebrate the small wins when you can. Communication is working - the teams on the other sides are listening and modifying their plans and collaborating when they can. Lets keep playing the long game.

Revised Recreation Network Plan is what was released today showing the above modifications.

Agree that the above is the best move right now and it seems doo-able as there are a bunch of vehicles that carry smallish battery packs capable of 40 to 70km on electric only (plenty for most persons daily commute) but still gas engines for the days when you need further. One thing I wish, slap a recharger for the battery onto the alternator and turn that engine into a generator too. I understand that it would decrease mileage slightly all the time - but by how much? Same amount as having your A/C turned off?

PHEV is the best of all worlds right now I think. Youre not a slave to charging when that becomes a problem but for most days you can be full electric.

https://www.msn.com/en-ca/money/topstories/putin-says-russia-will-enforce-rouble-payments-for-gas-from-friday/ar-AAVIwf4?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=U531&cvid=167f53e446b7451d93cd5143d4312dcb

WHAT A CLOWN

I understand why he did it - the rouble is down so much that he isnt getting many in return for the gas he is selling, but threatening to enforce contract law under this situation is laughable. Everyone except Germany wont care about walking away from their Russian gas, and this only forces Germany to find a quicker solution of a different source of gas than they otherwise would have, because they're certainly not going to be paying 4x for gas from Russia. Putin either has highschool kids as advisors or he is ignoring them all. Maybe he is going off of the Republican platform where cheap gas keeps you in power LOL? He has another round of debt due shortly, he knows if he defaults on that that his gas will actually be free. He needs this cash ahead of debt payments is my guess.

Rouble on the move higher it seems, up about 40% this week. 

Putin just killed the only source of revenues he had coming in and Russia is going to run out of places to put their gas. Wait to see what happens when the entire fossil fuel industry in Russia is sent on a 6 month holiday.

Im looking forward to the day when Ukraine starts salvo'ing rockets into Red Square. The world will cheer.

YUP! It does indeed suck.

Living with the new reality of people walking all over the bottom of the lower trails (I havent seen people venturing up S&M or TM, but theyre all up in Roach Hit's business) in a safe way will be key to keeping things as close to the status quo for as long as possible.

Posted by: craw

Posted by: Ddean

I’m not even a climber but I don’t think that the grades on BLT are very bad. Straight up the one by the Roach Hit exit and above the UTC entrance. They’re short. There are way worse climbs on the shore 🤣

Cypress Update:

There have been some positive developments that show that the DWV and BPP are listening to constructive feedback from all user groups, including bikers as it relates to development plans on Cypress.

It’s very important that people continue to look closely at what the plans outline, invest the time to understand the implications and then communicate alternatives (you can’t just say something doesn’t work, you should also have an alternative) constructively. 

Let’s see how it plays out - but it’s a good dialogue between Planning/BPP and riders right now re Cypress.  They’re considering feedback from riders when they can and it’s making a difference!

The bike trails that end at or cross the new graded walking path 100% need signage explaining that these are bike-primary descending trails. I've encountered clueless people a few time scrambling up Roach Hit. The encounters were friendly enough despite me skidding to a stop to avoid turning some kid into hamburger. It's super dangerous as it is.

There is a significant issue with declaring these trails bike primary as that suggests that they are authorized - which they are not. Officially, nobody is allowed on them - on foot or otherwise. BPP can not allow any sign other than the ones that you see all over Cypress: the no trespassing sign or the waiver sign. To do otherwise will immediately require rights of way and liability assumption by DWV - which is a process that takes years. 

The best we can get is one of those signs facing downward at the metal bridge and hope that people on foot dont venture up for fear of trespassing. But, if riders do not exercise care and there is an incident, my guess is that theyll close RoachHit/Wutang, or we will have to route bikes elsewhere than the first SB. We are working hard to keep as much in that area as we can but riders have to do their part as well and adapt to the fact that the area is now full of people on foot, including toddlers running around who are low and not visible and may be laying down on the middle of the trail behind the next corner. 

If riders cant safely accommodate people on foot in that area, theyll lose the trails. Times have changed - we need to change our habits too if we want to maintain the privileges of riding there.

Agree. It’s been reflected already. I’ve told people hanging out on the metal bridge to relocate many times and that they should not be exploring up that trail with their toddlers.

Signs are coming.

I think that riders need to slow down above the bottom. Signs are one thing but we might see a  corral or something also.

Caleb is following the money!!!!

I will let those working hard on the  official plan (DWV Planning and it’s consultants) finish their final and release when they’re ready. 

I posted the update because I’ve heard so much negativity about the development - and I wanted to present an alternative view. The development is going to have major implications for Cypress riding, especially in the area around the first switchback, but those who are planning it all out are indeed listening to the concerns and feedback from riders. They have invested their time (and money) in finding compromises to lessen the impact as much as reasonably possible.

I’m not even a climber but I don’t think that the grades on BLT are very bad. Straight up the one by the Roach Hit exit and above the UTC entrance. They’re short. There are way worse climbs on the shore 🤣

Cypress Update:

There have been some positive developments that show that the DWV and BPP are listening to constructive feedback from all user groups, including bikers as it relates to development plans on Cypress.

It’s very important that people continue to look closely at what the plans outline, invest the time to understand the implications and then communicate alternatives (you can’t just say something doesn’t work, you should also have an alternative) constructively. 

Let’s see how it plays out - but it’s a good dialogue between Planning/BPP and riders right now re Cypress.  They’re considering feedback from riders when they can and it’s making a difference!