Ddean profile

Great article. I think it hints at just what a knife edge some trails might actually be on. Authorizations and signs and history means a lot, until you wake up one AM and they didnt. People need to speak up at every occasion when the Districts take any action that reduces your ability to ride the Shore.

And zero sum game, I hope that doesnt mean that something has to go before we get that route up to the Bobsled switchback from BP. Come to think of it, last time I rode by that area, it looked like that route was already in use! FREERIDE ASCENT YO!

Those guys rode it well. I bet that Dougie was taking all the sneaky Strava lines all the way down too. 

I hope Dougie gets what he needs before hibernation and that his show'biz days are done. He looks like a good guy - probably didnt mean anything threatening - he turned around as soon as those guys stopped. He was probably just bored and wanted a game of chase for a bit. Who could blame him?

I think that if ebikers 1) never ask a rider to move over (especially on an uphill), 2) never make an unsafe pass, and 3) never ride up a descent trail, the world will be fine with them. Its all about rider behaviour in my view.

I dont think that theyll catch on here either until they are way lighter. I dont think that they will endure the pounding and, while I have not riden one, I think that their mass will be a bigger detriment descending than their motor will be overall. Maybe on smooth trails like Espresso or John Deer, but Im not so sure the masses would like to go down Ladies or Bookwus or Pipeline on one.

Jesus that’s a great looking bike. 

What is it? I dont recognize it.

That sounds like a good deal for the Niteriders, although there are a full range of them at all price points. 

I chose the Outbounds because they’re highly rated amongst the best from each brand and I like the shape of the beams. I felt that $500 CAD, while not a great deal or cheap, was ok for a top rated pair of bar and helmet lights. We will see - I’ve ridden with much cheaper lights almost all of the time so this was a departure. But I’m night riding a lot this year and my Magic Shines are suboptimal; hopefully these last many years and I can see much better where I’m headed!

Was about to order the Gemini 4000 with a 2200 duo for 25% off (still not cheap at $450US) then I checked Outbound Lighting and saw that their Ultimate DH package is reduced from US$390 to US$335. Ordered that!

One thing to keep in mine is that the Gemini's will ship from Canada while the Outbounds from the US, so duty might decrease that difference.

I keep thinking that I need a HT too. It’s been 20yrs since I rode one in the woods. 

The problem as I see it is I’m unsure when I’d choose it over my Slayer. Maybe I would - who knows. I’m having trouble picturing how it would play out  

I think that it would need to be a 29r. 

But I don’t get the Value of Ti on an MTB when tire pressures are so low these days. Does it really feel different than steel?

The Outbound Hangover + the Trail + a spare battery would be sweet. Total about $400US but youd have a great bar light, a probably great helmet light with an internal battery that lasts 2hrs on high, and when you want more, bring the spare and hook it up for killer duration (or bring it anyways as a backup).

Not sure if they are able to hook up their spare batteries via USB-C which is what the Hangover needs. Perhaps worth sacrificing some lumens up top versus the DH kit to have an ability to ride without your head be tethered to a battery? Pass through charging on the Hangover means that you can bring a powerbank to do the same thing if the spare doesnt work.

Thanks! I hadn’t seen those. 

Seem like a good option and their DH kit is priced well considering it’s a bar and head lamp.

After not night riding for a lot of years I’m back out there and using the Chinese doohickies. They’re working ok - I have a bunch of spare batteries that I carry  so it gives me comfort and I have a helmet and Bar mount. 

That said, they’re ok not great light and I’m definitely riding a lot slower because I can’t see everything, which is leading to me going over the bars even more than normal - because I’m not carrying the momentum to clear things. 

It seems that the only reasonable thing is to get some kick ass lights. I’ll prob keep the Chinese helmets but I think that I’m going to pick up the Seca 2500 Race. Safety first!!!

I just picked up a Lynx DT. It came down to it or the Trailmaster and I went for the Lynx because 1) matchy matchy with my bike better than the Trailmaster DTs they had in stock, and 2) I felt that Id like to try a saddle with more padding than I usually use.

Love it.

I’ve got a bunch of updates.

Bad news is that my separation has been reclassified as a Grade 5. The good news is that it has strong potential to be livable without surgery. Shoulder girdle and traps and delta are all strong and should respond well to proper attention  

I picked up one of those braces and while I had high hopes, after riding with it for 4 or 5 rides, I’m not using it anymore. It does not hold my clavicle in place at all. Pretty much useless but it was worth a shot  

Finally went to a shoulder specialist. Should have done it ages ago instead of general physios. Night and day difference for my injury  

The damn shoulder is killing all the time now but I’m optimistic. The pain isn’t so bad actually riding but mostly after. I have not changed anything in my life - still riding. Still expect to skate ski and DH ski when the snow comes. Still crashing! I’m confident that I’m on the right track with the specialist.