Ya...but think how nice and warm a desert is.
I think i'm going to try to bike in the Oyoosos, Penticton, Invermere area this summer.
It has a desert, top end of the biggest one on the Continent.
Hoodoos, sand and tumbleweeds. And closer than Arizona.
Can't remember the area much, haven't seen it since I was young.

I'm looking for sandstone shelf, really cool rocks to climb. Wet mossy granite is pretty killer, I want dry.

One question- When you beat me are you going to be helpful and a gracious winner or laugh at me, make fun of my bike, and make me look bad on bikeforums?

I offer on a regular basis if someone who appears in difficulty.

I've given directional assistance. Medical help. Mechanical help. Tubes, duct tape, zip ties, and spare bolts a guys rear disc caliper that had lost a bolt once even. I've given up water and munchies to people in need.

It doesn't harm me any, and it's the right thing to do. I've had people be pissy at the offer though, or unthankful. I just let that roll of my back. I then ride off mentally cursing the unpreparred dumb@sses of the world. Which I've been a time or two. It's why I carry all the stuff I do now!

All the cr@p that is in my fairly weighty hydro-pack has been used on me or my bike, or someone else(s) at one time or another. It's cheap insurance to carry the stuff; I'd rather have it along and not need it than need it and not have it.

Best lesson learned in everyplace ever ridden? Carry a shell with me, in the pack. Always.

Move over Siu, lowcell and mtnbiker66, I'll have a stella artois with the popcorn.

A sprained ankle is no excuse, I'm riding with a broken right foot, and strained ribs right now.

Now that I think of it, to make things a bit more interesting, the loser of this race should have this as their custom title for a month.

Fluffy Fru-Fru

You think Im going to race the guy on the sprained ankle? yea right, my top condition with no injuries isn't that great. I don't want anything in the way.

Then move ahead and lead.

We need a bigger couch now. How about Fluffy Fru Fru Poo poo?

This can wait until you're healed.

But in order for the us who are not involved in this to know it really happened, we need a third party who can act as a judge, and take pics/video and post them here.

Also along with the custom title, the loser will ignore the person. The winner, gets the pleasure of knowing that he was able to back their words up, ignores the loser. Build up will be allowable until the chosen day, low blows will not be allowed and will be punished accordingly.

Sound fair?

If it fits it works.

I have a feeling this is going to blow up in my face. But I wont lie, If I lose Ill admit it. Sui is offering to come, thing is I don't know how she can take any pics or vids, she wont be going as fast as us.

but i thought u could whoop ppl on hill climbs?

When I first made the claim. It was to other people besides pete fagerlin. Then after I opened my mouth and said I could beat him to(he was posting on some weird account name) he tells me hes pete. By the time he tells me who he is, Im thinking crap to late to take my claim back now. Honestly, Im not sure if I can win. The crossroads is only like 1-2 miles of climb, I figure if I perfect my time on that section I may have a chance.

Hey yeah!!!! That's not fair~ It's like buying a PT cruiser and finding out that it's a Dodge Neon on steroids. Or finding out that Michele Tyson is really Michael Tyson. Or that Michael Jackson is really Janet Jackson. Or....or....where was I?

That was a challenge under false pretenses. That's it. I call it off! (Unless of course you guys still want to do it.)

other than the Suguaro in the background , looks like the trails that are around my home .

And to think, I've only had a fractured bone in my foot for the past 6 months or so. It is sllllooowwwlly getting better though.

As for the couch I think it's about time to incorporate bar stools into the equation. That and a big screen.

Sounds to me like way to much hoopla for what it really is. There's no need for rules, video, or a third party. Just let these guys go riding together. If NoF3ar steps up (which it sounds like he will do), then that's great. Like others said, he will surely learn something and be better for the experience. The only ridicule he's ever gotten has been a result of ill-advised things he's written here anyway.

I don't see any need for custom titles, ignore lists, or any of that intarweb BS. Can't we all just ride along?

Agreed 100%

Using this match up as a moderating tool actually. Custom title thing is for entertainment value but will only be used if it is close, but if it is a killing, it won't be used. Plus, I think since riding experience is a bit different, I say NoFear gets a 20 second head start. If either party balks at it nothing will be held against.

This every other week bout between them is getting old.

You don't need any help with that. You do a wonderful job of it all by yourself.


"Knowing my athletic ability, knowing the fact Im probably alot younger than your trollin a55 I would love to see who can climb better."

While I knew that your internet chest thumping was idle boasting from behind the safety of your keyboard, that doesn't make it less amusing.

So you only want a piddly "race" to saddle intersection? That's awfully short, but won't make a difference. Why not all the way around, up "The Wall" and to the entrance to the Crack? If that's too long (?!), how about climbing the Mile instead of the boring fire road?

You blew your chance for any advantage, however slim, by putting off this "race" (I use that term very loosely) until next week. I'm still coughing up lovely goblets of blood-streaked lung butter on the tail end of a brutal chest cold/bronchitis thing but the frequency is to the point that I'm back to riding at 90%.

Waaa, waaa, waaa.

It's not every week and if you can't handle reading the discussions then maybe it's time to follow through on your feelings and resign. Regardless of the outcome of the ride, there will be no ignore lists, restrictions on message content, etc.

It's just a ride, not a Cold War showdown.

Oh yeah, I forgot this bit.

You aren't doing anything of the kind. You're just sitting on the sidelines watching, like the rest of the folks.

hey, nofear, mind if I ask how old you are?

on topic, I always stop to help or ask if people are ok. The few times i've been stopped changing a flat someone has always stopped and asked me if i'm ok.

However, there can be some circumstances when I could see how a person would not want to stop, ie racing, or a tricky uphill/downhill section.....so I guess it all depends.

Haven't you noticed yet I blow alot of bull****e out my ass and I say alot of crap that is bull that I really never thought Id have to back up. If we go any further than the bottom of the crack I may pass out.

My addition to this - I was riding a few years back with a buddy of mine and he ditched really bad, banged his knee into a rock, was practically in tears (and this guy doesn't cry). We were about 3-miles +/- into the ride. Anyways, at least two guys wen tbuy and didn't even stop - we even asked as he was going by if he had antispecti / bandaids / etc. and the guy kept going ! I remember thinking to myself; what a prick! Oh well. i woudl've stopped. But I also call 911 when I see a car accident, even if I think someone else already called. Everyone thinks someone else will take care of it.

Whoops missed all the excitement. Have a good race next wed. i can't wait to hear the results. ~

BTW who is pete faggoline? I've never heard of him....

Yes, it took about a half dozen posts to realize that.

The route question remains open. Up Mile or stay on the boring atechnical fireroad?

Now, in an effort to court the North Carolina base, I'm considering upping the ante by sporting Happy Fun Racing kit. Will that cause problems?



photo copyright Rich Marchbanks.