Reply: Mountain bike clubs

Hey thedonk!

                          how's your cold? over it yet?  Shame about the weather, not riding in this rain.  I remember a trip to North Wales, 1st weekend with the kewl club I was with back home, all it did was rain, I looked out the tent that morning and told the kiwi who drove me there, that I wasn't going out in this.  He told me to "get my butt out of my tent and on my bike right now, as yes you are we didn't come all this way to sit in our tents".  He was right of course, so with that I did, it turned out to be the best day of the two!, as it was what I most liked; single track muddy technical stuff, a nice hill climb then nice decent.  Another small group of guys were out mtbing there too, which was funny.

I've been run down these past 4 days off, generally tired, but better today.  I blame the weather; though work is taking it's toll on me, I'm ready for a holiday to be honest.

When it stops raining we'll have to hit the trails, I still opt for Lyn Canyon. Could easily get carried away and lost up there ;)         I recall another fun gal I knew when I was based in Scotland, who came for an evening bike ride with me in some massive wood area, we passed a fork in the woods, and on the way back an hour later, couldn't remember the right path to take, yep lost!  Our 1 hr ride turned into a 3 hr ride, and almost dark by then, quite funny though.  Well a lil bit worrying 'at the time'.

I've given up on that bike meet club (the above post), they aren't active enough, I couldn't believe it when she replied to my suggestion of Lyn Canyon that she won't go out in any wet mud??? but "that's real mountain biking, and also very good fun", was my reply to that.  So on that note, I'm still sticking with you and your buddies for the local rides.

I'm flying off to Steamboat, Colorado Dec for a long weekend of skiing and.. partying!  Tip; book flights to the US from Seattle and direct with the airline, you save alot more money than via a flight company online, and if you avoid flying from Vancouver, it's at least $200 cheaper! Pick a good airline though ;)

 I've also got a front row ticket to see 'Travis' next month: http://www.last.fm/music/Travis   I like his tracks, 'closer', and 'battleships'.  Soooo looking forward to that! :)))  The other one I want to see again are the Kiwi band "Finn Brothers" - used to be known as 'crowed house', as Neil Finn is another with a fab voice,

I registered too, so will check it out and have a taster to see if it is worth pursuing at least.  It's free! and they go all over, which I like the sound of.  There are other clubs but you have to pay, and I don't believe in that, and my last club was free and one of the best I was with. 

The RAF one was the best one by far mind, as it was weekends away, and regular weekly local races as well as interservice races (Us RAF, Royal Marines, Navy, and Army);  where we went all over, I used to see a friend from the Royal Marines on those ones who I skied with on the RAF ski champs, he was a comic and was the one on the microphone in the bike race down at Lympstone. We didn't need licenses to race back then either. One weekend we had was with Team Orange who taught us technical moves on the bikes, how to sit static on your bike on a hill etc.

14km in 3 hrs? I missed that part, either way that definately is lame.  Even hard stuff doesn't take 3 hrs, and if it is due to stopping every 20 mins, which it likely is in that case, well sod that, that sort of thing used to wind us speedier ones up in the last club I was with, waiting for the slower more unfit ones of the group, when the rest of us just wanted to keep cycling at a moderate- fast pace, and stop at the endm or only when someone got a puncture at least; hence those weds eve rides were the best! as only the faster ones of the group went to that one.

Let's stick to our own group.  'Lynn Canyon' is a good spot for long bike rides off road, those trails are fantastic, plenty of them, and hardly a soul around to worry who are hiking; let's meet up there in that case if you fancy it?  let me know when suits you are probably on days off at the same time as me.

Obviously not nearly enough going on with us here so you're secretly participating in other forums and groups!!  Haha!  So what's the deal there -- 14km in 3 hours?  Must be some tough or they must be lame.  I'm not familiar with the area.

Just like you I can't make Sunday either, have too much other stuff going on right now.  But the group looks interesting, think I'll register to sign up for other updates.  Meanwhile, yes, definitely hope to see you out on the trails at some point.  We've been posting for a while now, it's about time we actually do something!!

Cheers.

Hey thedonk! and Ketchup;

                   here's one for you, I mean for "us", pretty active too! Unfortunately I can't make sunday as I am working then; but hope to see you on future ones:

http://mountainbikes.meetup.com/121/calendar/6406775/?from=list

Have any of you cycled the Burnaby mountain trails? I hear they are xc too, and someone else recommended it to me.

Well I had a gr8 morning; went for a run along the varley trail and continued onto the fishermans trail with my friend Rich from work who is also from the UK; the crazy one that likes to run marathons.  I ran most of the route to Seymour mountain along the river 3/4 of it I'd say; then turned round to come back when the heavens opened up.  Rich rang me beforehand this morning to tell me it was lovely and sunny where he was?  By the time I got back, which took ages as I mostly hiked back and I'd rang quite a way; he'd ran the whole loop, and still got back before me, "20 mins ago" he told me; I told him I hope he got soaked first (seeing as I did, still I needed a hair wash); he said he did.  "Yes, lovely and sunny today Rich", I told him :))   Did enjoy it though, and we were the only ones on the whole trail, which was great; and it was as he put it; character building  ;)

Yeah sure, I got the jist it was well expensive there, but beautiful.  Same as our Cotswold district in Oxfordshire, Beautiful but very expensive, those tourist spots tend to be.

I want to drive through so I get to see as much a possible; Jasper and Lake Louise, Canmore, Banff too.  Jasper looks nice, the whole of the Rockies, and the scenery driving through is nice. I will near the end of the year, maybe in a month of so.

Well raining here for the next 2 weeks I hear, gym for me then.

I've been to Canmore many times.  Yes it is a great spot.  A lot more touristy than Squamish is for sure though.  It's the gateway to Banff National Park and the other National Parks that neighbour it, and has lots of shops selling souvenirs and such.  Has an artsy side to it as well.  One more thing, the housing costs in Canmore have gone really bananas in the last few years.  There is no more development allowed in Banff and so Canmore, which isn't far away, takes all the new development.  Anyways, you should jump on a train, plane, bus or automobile and have a look for yourself...!  Cheers.

Sure do ;)

Can't stick to just one sport or I'd get bored.  Here is good; I hear Canmore is even more beautiful/ Rockies, a colleague and friend also from the UK has been there and told me he could easily live there.. well we could, after a year in the job.  I do like quiet places, not over crowded ones.  Couldn't live downtown Vancouver.

No I don't ski.  I should but don't.  You seem to do a lot.  You certainly live in a good place for the lifestyle.  I ride even in the winter.

I don't know anything about Ketchup.

Kewl.  Okay just give me a yell when you are ready to go mtbing at Alice Lake; or Lost Lake Whistler. 

Do you and Ketchup ski too?  Ski season is starting again soon :))

Hi thedonk!

     No I haven't yet; waiting for you all to get back to me so we can all  meet there for some mtbing, as that's much more fun. So when that cold's gone, let me know.  I went to the Sunshine Coast last week, met a kewl bunch of kayakers, Aussies, Can, Yank, good guys, playing in the rough stuff, rapids doing 180 degree flips, they were good!  Really wanted to join in with them ,after one told me how it's done, but didn't have the kayak with me . Though one did offer to lend me his;  not without my wetsuit though, too cold.

Funny I always got colds when the weather changed back home in the UK, but not here (yet).  Only time I feel ill/ run down is when I've worn myself out at work; but not always.  Take your daily Vit C - high dose slow release, and multivits ;) 

he he Ketchup, yes I work, just not today.  Tomorrow I'm back and I work 4 on and get 5 off, that's the way to be ;)

Plenty of time for sport that way.. and don't worry, I need a run more than a bike ride today.. too much energy (work kills that effectively).  Grouse grind wasn't enough yesterday, should've ran it perhaps.

doh ... I gotta work.

You're no longer working Suzanne?

Hey thedonk; ketchup etc,

                                          how about some mtbing at Alice lake tomorrow (monday); or Lost lake at Whistler?

Let me know asap and I'll meet you there.. :)

Are the trials for cross country biking at Whistler and Cypress mountains any good too?

Hey hey hey! thedonk, I never said anything about you having a lardy arse ;)

Don't bank on me being faster right now, I was mtbing every sunday, and weds evenings back home, and I don't own my trek anymore, though funnily I was looking at another at the local bike shop the other week ;)

My energy is more depleted working shifts again too; though I prefer it to a mon-fri job 8-5 as too boring, though my energy levels are too high then.  I know the shady tree pub, eaten there a few times myself.  It still doesn't match or beat our more traditional country pubs back home though, real country pubs, although, one came close at Whistler village (for the rich), you'd have to be to drink/ eat in there, I was taken there by a family from Calgary when I previously visited Vancouver and stayed a lodge there.  It was well impressive though!

Facebook? Well I wouldn't bank on it, have you read their terms and conditions? it's way OTT.

Well I may not be as fast as you but it seems I know a few trails.  In Squamish: Nine Mile Hill and Test of Metal route then on the other side Jack's Trail, some Memorial trail, Cliff's Corners, Rob's Corners.  The trails in town, and then along the river heading up the river towards Whistler (Cheakamus Challenge route).  Fantastic xc riding all over the place up there.  Not to mention the Shady Tree Pub!  hahaha  And no I don't have a fat arse.  ;-)

(CIA running facebook?!  Come on, that's crazy)

To add to that point above; the bike club I rode with back home all liked to think their 'softer' more pricey yet heavier bikes of around $4000- were better than my $2200 much lighter, stronger framed one, until they saw how fast I was on it, as they'd get left behind.  The kiwi I rode with (who returned to NZ a month before I left England also told them all I had a really good bike, and it's alot lighter than all theirs were.  By the time I left to move over here, most of them all rode their hard tails too, I found it quite amusing.  That was my Trek ZX8000; I'd recommend you get one of those if you are serious about changing bikes, they do xc ones now too, they handle really well, the amount of times I felt 100% I was  about to be flown off my bike on hitting an obstacle yet still managed to stay on and fly through it gave me huge confidence in that bike; and are designed for racing.

Hi thedonk,

          not done those trails at Alice lake yet, or heard of them, so must look into that one.

Enjoy your trip, wish I could join you, sounds up my street (you and your friends) as we are all into xc riding.  Try getting a wtb saddle for your bike, check online, online shopping is best (and cheapest), it'll be better for your arse, and try cycle shorts (if you aren't already using them).  I don't get a sore arse and I've always cycle on male framed bikes, and their same saddles; but then I don't have a fat arse either  ;)

Call me up when you return from your trip, and I'll meet you at Alice lake for some rides when you get back!, I'll keep my eyes posted here until then..

Heading out riding on Wednesday, won't be back for a week.  A big trip.  Will be getting into Fall riding after that.  Yeah Suzanne my buddies and I are into xc as well.  We all ride hardtail but I am wondering about switching to something a little easier on the arse at some point.  You must know Squamish trails well if you live so close.  I see the Four Lakes trails at Alice Lake are open to cycling starting Sept 15.  Have you done them?  Cheers.

Ketchup, that's what msn is for  ;)

Works with closure, no risk of the public invading your privacy etc that way I'd say.

Here's some feedback on facebook for you that I retrieved from someone else:

there are issues with privacy - they've just amended it so unless you've 'locked down' your settings hugely, your profile is available on public (e.g. google) searches; the terms you sign up to mean that any photos you put on there are usable by Facebook as they see fit; the site is backed by CIA money (iirc) - and you might find this interesting: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/story.cfm?c_id=5&objectid=10456534

the only reeeeeallly irritating thing is that people I don't know seem to want to be my friend, which is lovely and endearing and all but a bit odd.

positives include the fact that it's like a free Friends Reunited, and I've got in touch with a few people I lost touch with for one reason or another, which is cool.

I'm growing increasingly sceptical about it all...

Hi Thedonk!

                 sounds great, would've loved to have joined you on that bike ride, bet the scenery was beautiful too!

I like hill climbs, good cardiovascular workout, and blasting down again after is even more fun.  Cross country riding only for me, not downhilling, I'm aware of 3 people now recently who have: 1. broken their femur at Whistler; 2, broken clavicle at Whistler; 3 broken bones in hand (three people each broke something),  glad I'm a cross country rider, and I'm never converting. I get plenty of days off every week so can easily a bike ride like the one you did in.  How can I contact you? let me know and I'll get in touch that way. Or we could meet you locally and exchange contact details, I'm just 30 mins away from Squamish, heading south.  Not a fan of facebook sorry, never used it; personally avoid sites like that, heard v.bad press.

Ever hike the grouse grind?  Another weekly workout I do as it's a fast one, and it's great, within an hour each time.

Hi guys.  Yeah Suzanne sure let's do a ride sometime.

A buddy and I rode the logging road from Squamish to the head of Indian Arm last weekend, and back again.  Lots of hill climbing, it's quite a big grind really.  We were both ready for a beer or two and a good hot meal at the pub on our return.

Suzanne - on facebook?

the nsmb club sounds good but ... paying $50?? what happens in winter... do they ride reg.?

Hi Ketchup,

          sounds like you are living it up ;)

Prefer a smooth red wine myself.

Cannot remember their names now, they lived right by some mtbke trials though, will have to see if they are there the next time I go and then I will make a point of remembering their names.  Last nightshift tonight, busy busy busy, still, it stops me getting bored.

Hey Suzanne ... I'm doing good too!  Except for the run of crappy summer weather we've been having, sheesh!

Wasn't me you ran into mountain biking.  Was one of the kiwis called Phil?

Sounds like you're having quite an action packed summer!  I've been going away most weekends too but typically they're more drinking excursions than anything else. 

Hey Ketchup, doing good thanks, as always, how about yourself? 

Wasn't you and your friends at the top of the North shore I met and went mtbing with at least a few weeks ago one evening, was it?  3 kiwis on downhill bikes, nice bunch :)

Was climbing yesterday, or rather, being taught rescue skills with jumars, good fun.  Going off to Jasper and lake louise to climb around there within the next 3 weeks, can't wait as I need a drive through the Rockies (not done that one yet).

here's my addy, to you only thedonk; ssuzs2 at icqmail dot com.  Send us a message and let me know when you want to go mtbing.  Let's get that club going (and the number on the weds eve rides we had were not massive, it was usually around 10 of us max) small clubs work better, as no one slowing us down, the general attitude in our club was.. you had to keep up, I liked that one more, you get fitter that way too (so no arguing) :))

Course we did stop if someone had a puncture (and stuck together that way); or if someone got lost of course, we'd go and find them (the faster one usually was sent to find them and bring them back).. nice :)

One more post for you the donk;

         If you fancy a bike ride around Squamish/ whistler on the X- country trails.. give me a yell I'll defo join you.. free from saturday in fact. And free weekly for mtbke rides for sure!

I met a load of Kiwis living local to me when I cycled up to the top of Lynn valley, who knew the routes better than me so I joined them and had fun with them, they made me laugh watching them fly in the air jumping off the ramps on their downhill bikes (I wasn't doing that mind), they live there too.

Thedonk,

  I miss the wednesday evening bike rides followed by the country pubs, with a mad bunch of fun guys back home defo, we need something like that kicking off here you know, a weekend 60 km ride (max); and a weds eve ride or midweek evening ride for about 30 kilometers would be good.  With a lovely country pub stop of course; and only fit, fun and friendly people.. And age group (adults only). There was a 60 yr old guy who had hardly any tread on his tyres and yet his mtbing skills were amazing, he was one of the best riders in the club, he and 2 engineers would whip the butt off alot here I reckon.  The two engineers used to take myself and two other females off with them on other serious bike rides at weekends, with other clubs/ or on trail quests etc, long mileage rides/ and mostly fast pace.

Hi Thedonk;

                  yes I got a new bike, well not new, 2nd hand from a sponsored rider, K2 attack, it's light again as my last one was, but I do miss my Trek ZX8000 that's going to be hard to beat, so debating on selling this one and getting another Trek.  Though Whistler better x country routes (I need to check out), north shore is more downhill riding, and I'm told Whistler for me, so..

Where do you ride?  Are you X country too or Down hill? A French Canadian guy I made friends with local to me, broke his leg downhilling at Whistler - his femur! (must've been on that A line route), after he'd bought a $4000 downhill bike, and is selling it again I might add, he should've stuck to X country like me (winks).