General Cycling Discussion - A Bike Forums Billboard? Message Board?

Being one who is regularly seeking riding partners, as I live in the country where no biking clubs are to be seen (except fleetingly when a bunch tours the area,)I am always on the look out for message boards.

Would it make sense to create a Message Board on this site? Should a posting fee be charged to assist securing the permanence of BF?

Any views?

Louis Tousignant

You lost me... are you looking for a local forum on this site? I dont think there will ever be a posting fee in the future, however tens of members have already dontated money to keep the site alive. Im working on setting up a dontating member system :)

Joe,

What I'm thinking about would be a new file in this site where one could post a notice (which notice could self destruct within a month say) for the purpose of seeking riding companions. The recently resurrected Cyber Cyclery as such a service (forums/tour) but it seems that that particular cycling link is much weaker than say 2 years ago...

Hope this makes my point a bit clearer.

Louis T

It sure does, how about a "riding partners wanted" sub-forum in the general discussion area?

Joe,

That would be a great idea and I sure hope is is feasible.

Louis T

Your quite welcome to ride with me Louis,

Long way to travel tho` N.E. England. lol :rolleyes:

Welcome to the B.F. forums, hope you enjoy!!!!!!!

Or alternatively you could come and ride with me for a while. I'd say it's a bit warmer here than Nova Scotia (wherever that is :confused: )

willic,

I am planning a 5 week European tour (itinerary to be decided by group) between mid-august and mid-October 2002. If you're interested or have suggestions, drop me a line.

Chris,

I have been thinking of New Zealand in 2003...

Nova Scotia by the way is on Canada's Atlantic Coast. Nice rides to be had and if ever you want to give it a try, let's talk!

Happy trails,

Louis Tousignant

New Zealand in 2003 does sound interesting... I should have some money by then so it will just be a question of when I can get time off work to do it. I might think about that when the time draws nearer.

Louis, have you done the Cabot Trail? That's a ride that interests me.

Aerobat,

The Cabot Trail is a great ride. It's the #1 bike ride in Atlantic Canada. The scenery is absolutely spectacular in spots. There a numerous hills and three serious climbs: Cape Smokey, North Mtn and Mackenzie Mtn if you do it counter-clockwise. Smoky is a hard climb, particularly against the wind.
Most tours are 3 day affairs but I would suggest 4 because of the wind; if you come all the way from Winterpeg, plan on 4 and try for 3... There's lots of B&B's along the way so you can travel lightly and reasonably cheaply but there's lots of first class camping grounds as well.
Get a copy of "Doers and Dreamers" the Nova Scotia tourism guide on arrival. You can use it every morning to make a room reservation further along the trail, which makes for care free riding.
As for the time of year, I did it in September, just after Labour Day. The traffic is minimal then and there is no problem finding rooms. A bit later when the leaves turn must be incredibly beautiful, but nippier. But hey! You're from Winnipeg...
As you can appreciate from the lenght of my reply, this ride is a must!!!
Cheers,

Louis T

how about a "riding partners wanted" sub-forum
Joe, would this really work? I've posted "lunchtime riding partner wanted" notices on local cycling websites and have had no responses.

My "scientific research" ;) has shown that the majority of cyclists don't know about most cycling websites. So they don't know that other cyclists in their area are looking for riding partners, items for sale, etc.
They rely on newsletters and club/group rides for finding riding partners.

Just my 2¢.

Dear Ron H

I agree with you that posting on a forum like this for a fellow rider in your neighborhood is not practical... The local bike club is the way to go in such instances. Unfortunately, like most rural dewllers in Canada and the USofA, there's no such thing as a local bike club for little ole me!

Additionally, I think you underestimate the number of people (cycling enthusiasts... the Nuts are the other folks!) who surf the net for like minded people. Just look at the stats on this site alone!

Furthermore, notice boards for vacation type rides do work. Using another bike site, I was all set to go with folks in Spain when I had to undergo major surgery in 2000.

So please Joe, let's go for a notice board. Let's at least make a trial and assess the results 6 months down the road...

This is my 5 cents worth... which is a shade above 2 cents US...

Louis T

Hi Louis, thanks for the info on the Cabot Trail. Pictures I've seen in brochures look awesome. How is the road surface? Is it all paved, ie suitable for a road bike?

Aerobat,

It is all paved so a road bike is fine. When you decide to do it, drop me a line. There are a few detours from the Trail itself that are preferred routes (again on pavement). If you decide to do it solo, I might even join you.
By the way, we now have spring weather in NS...

Cheers,

Louis T