Cycling Thread 2

[KTrain]

This is coming out of left field but does anyone know Northendzone in the real world? Could you send me a DM if you do?

Thought I'd post in here since he seems to post here often. There was an incident on the Copperfield path over the weekend and I thought I saw a kitted out Trek Checkpoint ALR5 on the ground. I'm pretty sure he rides one.

I've DMed here and send a message through Facebook but haven't heard back. Just a little worried and hope I'm overreacting.

EDIT: I heard the news I didn't want to hear. https://forum.calgarypuck.com/showthread.php?t=192261

His Obituary: https://mhfh.com/tribute/details/423.../obituary.html

[KTrain]

It's going to be a lot quieter in here without Northendzone. That guy loved chatting about bike gear.

Icantwhisper, do you think Garth at the Range would refund his registration if I reached out to him?

EDIT: I contacted the event organizers, and Garth refunded Ross' registration.

[Icantwhisper]

Terrible to hear about Ross, didn’t personally know him but really enjoyed his takes on everything bike related.
Was going to say that I’m pretty sure most event organizers will make an exception in cases like this and Garth is no different, curious if his frame plate is already made, if so might be nice to still give to his family

[Bigtime]

I never met Ross, but this is just bloody tragic and sad.

[KTrain]

I don't want to turn this thread depressing but thought this was important to mention here.

On the weekend, when I was waiting for my group to show up for the ride, we were talking to the police (before I saw Ross' bike). The officer asked me if I registered my bike with Bike Index and if I would have registered it anywhere else. I didn't put 2 and 2 together until about an hour later but he wasn't asking because of theft, he was asking because they hadn't identified the body yet. Ross must not have been riding with any physical ID and didn't have access to his phone.

I know a few buddies who ride with ID/emergency contact bracelets but it's another good reason to register your bike on Bike Index and include your spouse/partner's name there.

[ken0042]

Thanks- I have now registered my bike. The one thing I cannot find on their site is where to put emergency contact info.

I usually ride with ID and/or my phone. I have also made sure my emergency info is on my phone. That step is also very important. The one thing I do is I have a slightly incorrect date of birth on there. Close enough for a doctor to know my age range.

[Ryan Coke]

I had my phone setup already to show from Lock Screen in an emergency, but just checked it again. BTW Ken, it looks like when it is viewed while phone is locked it only shows age, not DOB, at least on iPhone.

I’ll have to check bike index, I think I have 1 or 2 of my bikes on there, but I don’t think I have all of them.

I got one of those emergency contact bracelets, but simple fact is I don’t want to be wearing that all the time. I’d rather have the info on my phone and available, or just carry a piece of ID if needed.

Whole thing is very tragic, reinforces our own vulnerability and mortality. We’re a bunch of people having fun and hopefully keeping ourselves healthy riding bikes, but there’s no guarantees in life.

[Coys1882]

My wife and Ross' were friends as our kids went to the same dayhome. He was a nice man and his family was lovely and I'm going to miss his posts on here. Most of all he was the one that convinced me that bicycle commuting to my office from Copperfield was doable as he "did it all the time and he was old" - LOL. It's really ####ty news - feel awful for his family.

[cral12]

Ah man, saddened to hear this - just saw posted on FB YYC MTB group. Thx for sharing here KTrain. Northendzone will definitely be missed here.

Highlighted in that post:
"Ross’s partner, Joann, has set up a trust in Ross’ name to help make bikes more accessible to underprivileged youth. If you are interested in donating, please email RossPatonMemorial@gmail.com. We would love to see his legacy continue in our community and the next generation of mountain bikers."

[RichieRich]

Had a pro bike fit earlier this week and so today did my first long ride of the new season. overall result was excellent except 1 upper quad cramp which I think was the result from the biomechanics change on my bike.

Going back to others posts here - I would also recommend Spencer who works through the Intrinsi group. The physio bill for benefits claim helps too.

[kcin]

Any recommendations for downhill MTB camps/learning programs? Looks like COP, UofC, and a few other independents run programs but not sure which would be best.

Took the plunge and bought a bike but now I want to learn how to use it properly and not hurt myself. Have done a handful of days with 1x1 instruction and tours at Whistler/Kicking Horse and have ridden Panorama/COP so I'm not completely green but by no means advanced either.

Thanks in advance.

[calgarygeologist]

My significant other says she wants to try riding to/from her office but she needs to haul a laptop. She wants some saddle bags/pannier bags for that. So I need to find a rack and bags to install on her mountain bike. I'm looking for suggestions on what to buy. Requirements are waterproof and big enough for a typical 17 inch laptop.

[Wormius]

Originally Posted by calgarygeologist

My significant other says she wants to try riding to/from her office but she needs to haul a laptop. She wants some saddle bags/pannier bags for that. So I need to find a rack and bags to install on her mountain bike. I'm looking for suggestions on what to buy. Requirements are waterproof and big enough for a typical 17 inch laptop.

MEC and Decathlon both carry the racks. O see Decathlon has a pannier/backpack that might work.

[Fuzz]

https://www.thebikeshop.com/product-...1461/?rb_br=78


There are a bunch of different racks, and you may want to bring the bike in to make sure you get one that works well with the bike. I think I got the Axiom Journey that fit well on my wife's bike. But she has actually just used her pack for her laptop. But then, it isn't 17".

[Ironhorse]

I may have a rack and pannier system in my garage that is no longer being used. I upgraded my wife’s panniers a couple of years ago…

[RichieRich]

17” is a big laptop to be hauling around. Perhaps the solution would is to ditch the large laptop and consider either a smaller one (and home monitor) and/or VPN. I’ve done the laptop / year round bike commute thing for over 5 years. I’ve bike commutes to/from work year round over 15yrs and used both backpack and panniers. Each can be good or a PIA depending on how you pack, weight, distance, and ambient temps.

The larger the laptop the worse a backpack is because it doesn’t bend or flex and so doesn’t fit well to your back regardless of the backpack or packing methodology. Panniers have their own issues of course but with a 17” that’s likely a tall pannier but certainly doable.

Commuting also has its own risks so make sure she’s equipped with decent bike, gear, skills, and bike fit. I’d say during the summer easily 60% or more riders have poor bike fit setup, horrible spatial awareness or riding etiquette, and often suck at even using a bike lockup correctly. But that’s another rant coming soon.

[KTrain]

Of course "RichieRich" offers the solution of buying a new laptop and home monitor.

He's not wrong that the 17 inch laptop is a beast to carry around and limits what pannier bag or backpack you're able to use. Be sure she brings the laptop with her when shopping to make sure it fits in whatever she goes with.

[surferguy]

Buy a cargo bike and use a pelican case for that laptop. Bonus points, they will look super important.

[Wormius]

Yeah, I have a 17” laptop, and I don’t think I’d want to commute with it. You’d probably need to hit up a computer store to find a 17” case or backpack and make a bracket or plate to mount to the bike.

[calgarygeologist]

Originally Posted by KTrain

Of course "RichieRich" offers the solution of buying a new laptop and home monitor.

He's not wrong that the 17 inch laptop is a beast to carry around and limits what pannier bag or backpack you're able to use. Be sure she brings the laptop with her when shopping to make sure it fits in whatever she goes with.

She already has an office setup here at home with a monitor it is just a matter of hauling the laptop back and forth. Her work is in a temporary office until late summer/fall when their office space should be fully renovated. Once that happens the laptop will live at her office pretty much all the time so biking with it is probably only for this summer.