Cycling Thread

[Fuzz]

Dry ride for me

[Northendzone]

ugh the folks that monitor the bragg creek trails report 20 mm of rain last night and they further suggest to not plan on riding this weekend.

maybe something in Banff or possibly canmore will be an option

[cracher]

If it's soggy around here, I might go check out Helena this weekend. Friday afternoon off, no kid this weekend, and it's sunny and 27 over there.

[phaneuf_train]

Just curious, what's everyone's local bike shop, and how have they treated you for service and repairs?
I purchased my bike at Bow Cycle, but I am looking for a new LBS as Bow Cycle seems to be too busy and takes too long for repairs.

[Khel]

Was really impressed with Cyclepath North up in Royal Oak. Get great and quick service everytime I go in there.

[Northendzone]

I have been going to cyclepath south for years now. it took a while, several bikes and a a bunch of money; however, I would say that I'd like to think I have established a solid relationship with them and I have been successful in buying stuff at what I consider a reasonable price.

[habernac]

I've been at Bow for years, but I know a few people, bribe them with beer and get repairs more quickly.

[Coys1882]

I've mentioned Pedalhead on here before. They are located by the Canyon Meadows theatre and I can't speak highly enough of Alex and the other guys at the shop.

[macker]

Originally Posted by cracher

If it's soggy around here, I might go check out Helena this weekend. Friday afternoon off, no kid this weekend, and it's sunny and 27 over there.

Great place to ride! Favorite trails in the South Hills : Little Moab, Entertainment, Helena Ridge, Show Me The Horse, Rent Money, Walkina Sky, Emmets. If you hit those you will be glad you went! All fun flow!

Favorite loop to sample a fairly wide 30km area would be Walkina Sky (might be closed now as on private land?), Stairway to Heaven, Walkina Sky, Grizzly Gulch, Mckelvey, Helena Ridge, Emmets, Mini-Ridge (climb back up), Helena Ridge to Show Me The Horse and out on Grizzly Gulch. All the rides are right from town. You basically can't go wrong down there! Have fun!

[DownhillGoat]

Originally Posted by macker

Great place to ride! Favorite trails in the South Hills : Little Moab, Entertainment, Helena Ridge, Show Me The Horse, Rent Money, Walkina Sky, Emmets. If you hit those you will be glad you went! All fun flow!

Favorite loop to sample a fairly wide 30km area would be Walkina Sky (might be closed now as on private land?), Stairway to Heaven, Walkina Sky, Grizzly Gulch, Mckelvey, Helena Ridge, Emmets, Mini-Ridge (climb back up), Helena Ridge to Show Me The Horse and out on Grizzly Gulch. All the rides are right from town. You basically can't go wrong down there! Have fun!

Well I'm intrigued. Was planning on going to Revy but not looking great there either. Maybe I'll make a rip down south.

Is the shuttle required or can you bike to most trailheads from town?

[Bigtime]

Woke up multiple times over the night, kept hearing the rain (and then thunder around 5am) and decided not to commute today. Going to have to make up for it with a longer ride this weekend.

[Northendzone]

if you are looking for closer options, fernie and whitefish are both solid choices as well.

whitefish seems to have the better weekend forecast though.

I really enjoyed the whitefish trail.

[cracher]

Been wanting to check out Helena for years (including the craft beers). Plus, Bossy's been singing the praises of the trails for a long time now. I will be pointing my car south at lunch today for sure.

[TSXCman]

I ordered a Shimano Ultegra Compact Groupset, now I am looking for some high level tips for my next steps in building a decent, bargain, commuter. My assumption are the following, and please comment if I am off:
1) Go to a cycle shop to use their fancy measuring device to determine the optimum frame geometry for me
2) Buy an aluminum or carbon fibre frame
3) Buy the remaining components
4) Watch/read tutorials and build in my living room

[cral12]

Jealous. Would like to be able to drive to better weather/conditions, but...

I'm destined for 24 Hours of Mud/Adrenaline tomorrow ; )
Should be crazy...
-hoping the event in these conditions do not damage CNC trails...

[macker]

Originally Posted by kunkstyle

Well I'm intrigued. Was planning on going to Revy but not looking great there either. Maybe I'll make a rip down south.

Is the shuttle required or can you bike to most trailheads from town?

I did them all from town. 1. Mount Ascension maybe 2kms east from the downtown and Reeders Alley (must check this place out!). 2. Mount Helena you can approach from Swaney/Prairie/1906 side which is maybe 2kms north and a little west from downtown 3. Rodney Ridge you can ride from downtown also and within 2kms but trails leading up right from town. 4. Walkina Sky same thing just a few short KMs from downtown. 4 great trailheads all just a short pedal from downtown with linking trails along the way. The only way I would use a shuttle down there would be if I was going to ride the CDT which is about 20km west of town up at the top of Macdonald Pass.

There is more than enough trails right from town though. Nothing too technical (besides Little Moab, Hogback, Backside) but all fun and flowy. The Helena Ridge is the marquee trail in the area and 17.7km of amazing ridge riding. Never busy trails but always someone to point you in the right direction.

[Northendzone]

can the words bargain and carbon fibre really beliong in the same post about building a bike?

I always thought it is ultimately cheaper to purchase an already built bike and the only reason to go the route you are going is to have the pleasure of building it yourself, and really going with boutique parts selection.

Originally Posted by TSXCman

I ordered a Shimano Ultegra Compact Groupset, now I am looking for some high level tips for my next steps in building a decent, bargain, commuter. My assumption are the following, and please comment if I am off:
1) Go to a cycle shop to use their fancy measuring device to determine the optimum frame geometry for me
2) Buy an aluminum or carbon fibre frame
3) Buy the remaining components
4) Watch/read tutorials and build in my living room

[squiggs96]

Originally Posted by TSXCman

I ordered a Shimano Ultegra Compact Groupset, now I am looking for some high level tips for my next steps in building a decent, bargain, commuter. My assumption are the following, and please comment if I am off:
1) Go to a cycle shop to use their fancy measuring device to determine the optimum frame geometry for me
2) Buy an aluminum or carbon fibre frame
3) Buy the remaining components
4) Watch/read tutorials and build in my living room

I was going to use the same four step process you are going to use, but then I realized I valued my safety and well-being too much. I also found it was cheaper to buy the bike already put together, as I couldn't find everything I wanted on sale. If I built the bike it would fall apart and I would likely end up in traffic. That assumes I'd even make it out of the driveway. I was also concerned that once I had it all together it wouldn't be fit properly. Hence, I've bought three bikes. Two of them came with a free fitting, and I paid to have the other one fit. I upgrade components here and there, and put on what I can. I can do minor things like brake pads, wheels, chains, etc. I had the shop do my seat, as I couldn't get it properly. When it comes time to replace my group set, I'll likely just buy it and get them to do it for me. It'll save me time and frustration.

Good luck with your build. Please post some pictures during the process.

[DownhillGoat]

Originally Posted by Northendzone

if you are looking for closer options, fernie and whitefish are both solid choices as well.

Yeah, Fernie was the backup choice. Doesn't look great weatherwise down there either.

Originally Posted by macker

I did them all from town.

Thanks, that's some awesome info. Now to see if I can convince someone else to make the 7 hour drive!

[macker]

Originally Posted by kunkstyle

Yeah, Fernie was the backup choice. Doesn't look great weatherwise down there either.

Thanks, that's some awesome info. Now to see if I can convince someone else to make the 7 hour drive!

Cross at Del Bonita and then straight onto the interstate. 130-140km/hour with no risk of a ticket and there in 6 hours. Going through Lethbridge always costs me a half hour to 45 minutes.