Mountain Biking - Any Albertans here?

Specifically Edmontonians?

Simon

Wow, another Edmontonian? A few more of us and we'll own this place.

Ex-Calgarian, missing the mountain proximity. Does that count? ;)

Dam ChrisA. Going the extremes eh? Glorious Rockies to land flatter than an asian girl. Wave hello to Manitoba for me!:D
MadCat. What do you ride? Which shop do you support?

Simon

Hey! I resent that... we have valleys!!!!!!! ;)

If I ever get rich I'm moving to Banff, I'll even take a part time ****e job so I'm able to live there legally.

BikeTyke: I mostly ride city streets. I've been all through the valley but I find playing in traffic is so much more fun. The angry motorists are an inspiration. Lately riding's been pretty limited to back and forth to work from millwoods to whyte ave.

Oh wait, you said what do I ride. I'm lacking a lil sleep I think.

I've got a Cannondale f2200 hardtail that's pretty decent in winter and a Trek 7600fx flatbar roadie for the summer.

I find myself at United Cycle because it's not terribly far from work. I like that Bikeworks place 102st but it's never open when I'm awake.

Where do you ride? DO you ride in the winter too?

MadCat. I'm just getting back into it after a 4 year hiatus. Infact I just purchased a bike today. Infact two of them. A C'Dale F800 for myself and a Specialized HR for the little lady. I got them both from Revolution Cycle. YOu live in the hood? Cool. I live in the hood. Man can't wait for warmer weather. Too scared of ice to do winter riding.

Simon

Right now the riding isn't a hell of a lot of fun. The ice is pretty evil and the motorists are even worse. My nice quiet 97st route between 34th Ave and Argyle route is slowly turning into a freeway. My freewheel continues to freeze up too leaving me pedaling to nowhere. The powder was awesome a few days ago but not it has that thick layer of ice on it from the rain to the bike doesn't cut through it so well anymore. I always like playing in the white snow to clean some of the brown mud from the sanded roads. Now that I think about it, winter cycling sucks. It beats the bus but it really does suck. Damn cabin fever for keeping me on the bike all year :) I swear I'm the only warm body over 16 who doesn't own a car in Millwoods.

I like Revolution Cycle though I haven't purchased anything there before. I think it's the name mostly and all the sweet Cannondales they have.

I'd say have fun with the new bike but spring is a little ways away yet. I really hope it's an early spring.:beer: cheers

Great to hear about so many Edmonton Riders!!
I've been "listening in" on these Bike Forums for a few months now and procrastinating about signing in. You inspired me to jump in!

Haven't ridden for about 4 weeks choosing instead to focus on some xcountry skiing. Signed up to do 32 km on the Birkie Feb. 7. I guess when the snow is gone and skiing is over I'll be getting in the saddle again.

I started a mtn bike club for disadvantaged kids three years ago - the Arrowhead Riders - with a fleet of 15 GT Agressors built up and maintained by Klondike Cycle and Sports. Myself, I ride my trusty 2000 Norco Charger purchased through Klondike. We take kids on rides through the River Valley May - Sept. evenings, weekends and during the day in the summer. And we are a registered club through the Sprockids program of the IMBA.

Bought some stuff over the years at Revolution (I live in the West End) and like to drop in there once in a while and drool at the equipment.

Favorite places to ride are our River Valley trails, Fern Jordan's place in Stoney Plain where the Accept the Challenge Race is held each year, Moab (Rode there two years ago, and going again in April - Yeah!!) and the Kettle Valley Railway Trails in Southern BC.

Yeah, I too am hoping for an early Spring; maybe May?

John

Arrowhead. Thats cool you spend your time like that. How long have you been riding? Where is Klondike cycle again? I'd like to support a shop with programs such as yours.

Simon

Hey BikeTyke, I've been riding for about 8 years when I went with my daughter on a school trip to Frontier Lodge in Nordegg where they have a mtn. bike program and rode for two days on their Specialized Rockhoppers and fell in love with the sport. As a teen growing up in Victoria way back (I'm pushing 50 - yikes) used to ride with my friends in the mtns on old 3 speeds - usually we had to carry our bikes out. When I rode those Rockhoppers I didn't want to stop riding.
Anyhow, Klondike is on the corner of 149th st and 95 ave. In the winter they sell hockey equipment and in the summer (some time in Feb./Mar) switch to Bikes. Dave, the owner is a great guy and I like the staff. Compared to those LBS's that sell bikes year round like Revolution, or United, or Western Cycle they don't have the same selection, but the service is good and they've helped us out lots with our bike program.

John

It's great to see there are so many Albertans here! I live in a small town just south of of Edmonton. I used to go to Revolution, but this past year started going to River Valley Cycle- which is closer and, in my experience, has better service. They also do some awesome group rides on Thursday nights, which are a great way to find out about trails you may not have seen before. I was never involved in any sports until I tried mountain biking a couple years ago, and now I can't stop. :)

Last year I did a few of the Terwillegar Tuesday Night races for a start, and this season I'm planning to do some bigger races, as well as begin road racing and possibly triathlons.

Let's hope spring comes early this year!

Mike

Meltable. Which town do you live in? Did you hear that RiverValleyCycle moved to a bigger location? They are now located right by the Nicledome on their old RV lot. Argyl and 75 st. I guess tomorrow(Sat) is their opening. I work all weekend but I'm going to check them out on Monday. I'll let you know how it looks. Supposedly it's twice the size.

Simon

I was just going to mention that RV Cycle moved. Anyway, good to see there's four of us locals now. Gives me something to post in this forum again. I keep hearing about Klondike Cycle from riders that I run into on the streets (mostly waiting at train crossings). I've been meaning to have a look in there. Nice to hear they're backing a good cause. I'll have to take a peek soon, It's payday and I need a new derailer anyway.

I haven't really been involved with any bicycling organizations other than a brief time with the chaotic Critical Mass and helping out the Bicycle Messengers on the North American Alley-Cat finals.

Hope the new RV Cycle opens early tomorrow. I get off work at 9am. I'll have to have a peek. Thanks BT for reminding me that it opens in the monring.

Flashy River Valley Cycle website. http://www.rvcns.com Must be under construction.

Well dont laugh to hard k but i live in the southern alberta town of Lethbridge i am sure i wouldnt be into the sport unless we had the coulees for me to ride they get quite technical at time too

Well checked out the new River Valley Cycle (RVC) Nice store. Nice and open. Not much to chose from right now but when they get all their stuff, it should be very nice. You guys should check it out.

I spent many many hours cycling in the coulees when I lived in Lethbridge. Great fun. Ever get tempted to throw rocks at the stuffy old fart golfers at Paradise Canyon? I thought about it every day.

wow u lived in lethbridge ur the first one i have seen thats awsome. and i i an teped every time i ride it its a big throw tho i think id need more than just the wind at my back to hit someone but its the thought that counts. wut do u ride mad cat? XC Freestyle downhill? and wut kid of bike i need to know all i can because i just got into real biking like 3 months ago

I presently ride a hard tail Cannondale something that I worrowed from the mechanic at work. I don't ride offroad so much anymore because the season is so short and offroad in this city is a pretty rare thing. I enjoy the road though.It's quick and it keeps me on my toes and it beats the bike paths that have been over-run by the running room cult and their giant strollers.

The best ride I've been on though was from Richmond BC to Horseshoe Bay. Vancouver is pure heaven to cycle in compared to Edmonton.

Madcat, I also try to stay away from the paved multi-use trails - although dodging runners and strollers, and roller bladers, etc. helps tune my reflexes and keeps me on my toes as well. But our river valley has lots of great un-paved trails to ride on. I ride some challenging trails around Mckinnon Ravine and Terwilliger Park has lots of excellent trails. Has anyone ridden in Elk Island Nat. Park?

What do you like about cycling in Vancouver that Edmonton doesn't have? It seems to me that traffic would be crazier in Van than here in Edmonton. But then I think you mentioned earlier that you liked traffic and dodging vehicles.

The biggest benefit I found in Vancouver was the number of cyclists traveling on the road there. I don't often ride in packs but it's comforting to be able to just hook up with three for four other cyclists out of the blue from time to time.

It also felt like entire roadways were dedicated to cyclists with these big rubber things that blocked everything but bike, peds, and emergency vehicles. It wasn't like Edmonton where bicycle are winding suburbs leading nowhere.

I also found that most of the main roadways actually had sidewalks. This is most of a point for pedestrians. I've found, mostly in the newer areas that there are no sidewalks anymore. I want to photograph all the crosswalks that end in mud or grass. I personally find sidewalks terrifying to bike on still important.

I did have the benefit of cycling in Vancouver during the transit strike which made things really easy. I did grow up cycling in Vancouver but so much has changed to the benefit of cycling there since I left in 1993. It's really sweet. I wonder if things would change here if we didn't elect a mayor who drives an SUV.:)

It is however easier to bike in Edmonton than it is in Calgary I think. Calgary's become a parking lot as far as I've seen. Reminds me of South Edmonton Common, just bigger.

I live in Beaumont, just a few minutes south of Edmonton. I was on vacation when the new RVC opened, but I stopped by there today to take a look- I'll try and get back in this week when it's opened. :) Looks great from the outside, though! I hope the team jersey colors are changed to blue and black, too.

OMG more Canadians... Welcome friend and fellow bike dude.

I wish I had your mountains.

Sam

I wish I had them too. I can't even seen them anymore. Vancouver spoiled me.

So you guys getting sick of this weather yet? Just when it seems like all the snow is going to melt. It snows some more! Oh well. atleast having this snow is making it bearable not having the bike yet for a couple more weeks.

More like a couple more months. ;)

Every once in a while I go into the garage, look at my bike and sigh - just a few more weeks. I'm impressed by the number of people out there still riding in the worst conditions

In the meantime I try and keep fit by doing some xcountry skiing. Finished the 31 km Birkie last Sat. - although not even close to riding, still fun. The nice thing about doing a xcountry ski race, when you wipe out the pain is minimal - not like a xcountry race when you wipe out. I know some guys love the pain, but not this guy.

Madcat, I totally agree with you about our SUV driving Major. I'm keeping my hopes up, however, as I hear that plans are underway to expand the River Valley trails and road bike lanes.

Have patience.

Oh yeah, the mtns. Any of guys done any riding in Jasper Nat. park? I hear they have some excellent trails and it's only 3 hours and change away from here.

Originally posted by SamDaBikinMan
OMG more Canadians... Welcome friend and fellow bike dude.

I wish I had your mountains.

Sam

Wrong side of the mountains :)...all the good stuff is over here :D

But it is nice not to feel like a minority.

I'm so excited. I'm going to be picking up my bike today! Can't wait. Pics soon to follow.

Simon

I got a chance to check out the new River Valley Cycle last week and... wow! It doesn't look that big from the outside, but it's huge inside- especially when compared with the old location. They've dropped snowboards and are now just doing bikes, which is fine with me. Go take a look if you get the chance, it will be your new favorite shop. ;)

Last year I went with a couple others for a weekend to Jasper. There are some awesome trails around there, and some really huge hills if you're looking for a challenge and awesome decent. We did one that was only around 12k long, but went up over 3000 feet! It took us a long time to get up, but the view was amazing and coming down was the best decent ever. If you go into Chapters you could probably find a book with information and directions for all the trails.

When does spring usually come to our area? It seems to me that on Spring Break (late March) the snow is usually melting and the sun gives off some heat... does sound sound about right to everyone? If we can start riding in April, that's only 6 weeks away!

The first race I know about this year is the Ardrossan Stage Race on May 10... a little under 3 months away. Lots of time for training, but I still wish it was sooner.