Pepper spray is an interesting thing. in the middle of nowhere, you blast the bear, it get's somewhat put off. OK what next? Nowhere to hide, nowhere to go inside. You could try to run away on the bike. I talked to a guy who did bear control/deportation in Norther Ontario. He pepper sprayed a bear that was in a tube cage, and the bear was completely poleaxed. But out in the open with a confident bear... I'd carry it, but I would want something else to fall back on.

"You can also get away with being very cheap, if you find the right used frame. Actually many "used" bikes were hardly used at all and the components may also have lots of wear."

Right, my Urbanite only has 1100-1200 miles on it. It only gets ridden for touring. And I only got one tour in on it. Doesn't even feel broken-in.

I was in the Ubane cyclist yesterday, and they had an LHT frame in 60cm, if there is anyone in the TO area looking for a big ride...


One of my ambitions has been to build a guts and glory touring bike based on the best Nexus hub. I think we are at 8 speed on the red, and they are going to 9 speed in Schram this year. I did test drive an 8 and it was very impressive. I usually get a little concerned when I run the real gear inch numbers. I'm willing to throw out the top end since after the first few days I am happy to have a chance to coast and look around. Think of it as skiing do you ruin the view by double polling all the way down? But I notice a lot of folks hold to their upper ends so Nexus is a joke for them. Even if you are willing to run a tight range, the gear spacings are still wide enough to be a concern. Rohloff might be the one piece of over the top crazy touring gear that a trip such as the one being suggested, actually demands.

Now Since MarC was willing, if not enthusiastic, about spending 1400 US for a Riv frame, a real case could be made to spend 1000 for rohloff and 400 for surly, got yourself a dream team. Except the surly is a vertical drop. That's where the Urbanite comes in, Horizontal drops.