Show us pictures of where you ride your ebikes!

[Prairie Dog]

Noticed a nice sunset brewing on last evening's dog walk, so jumped in the car to catch it from the nearest good vantage with a chance of finding parking — North Ponto Beach. Stop here often to commune with the Pacific on coast rides north.

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The sunset didn't disappoint, and neither did the water. With little wind chop, a near-glassy surface, and stately swell coming in from 2 slightly different directions, the ocean seemed almost serene.

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But the view north toward the headland at Terramar told a very different story. We happened to arrive right at high tide — an unusually high spring tide of 7 ft — and the largest wave sets were rolling in on top of it to smash directly into the Terramar sea cliffs, some 35-45 ft high. You do the math.

Communing with the ocean with all your senses always pays, regardless of the weather. Never know exactly what you'll experience, but it's always interesting. As Spanish philosopher Jose Ortega y Gasset put it,

What a perfect way to end the day. That gorgeous sunset pretty well says it all and you've managed to capture the essence of west coast living. Thanks for sharing!

 

[JGcycle]

A couple of pics from this morning's 24km ride:

 

[DaveMatthews]

Waiting...
Waiting...
Waiting still for my engine bolt replacement.
I guess I could rely on the other two, but... cautious...

 

[Prairie Dog]

Waiting...
Waiting...
Waiting still for my engine bolt replacement.
I guess I could rely on the other two, but... cautious...

It's a shame to think that one missing bolt is preventing you from getting back on the saddle. Hope that the LBS comes through for you soon. Damn proprietary bolts!!

 

[Prairie Dog]

Perhaps not as stunning as an ocean sunset, prairie versions seldom disappoint either. A short snippet from tonight’s ride.

 

[dodgeman]

Road closed and you went right past it, you rebels.

 

[Prairie Dog]

Road closed and you went right past it, you rebels.

That’s akin to living on the edge around here. Lol. I was wondering when someone was going to bring that up. We normally ride a complete loop part of which takes us along this section of the MacKenzie Road which is open only to local traffic. It’s been closed for a couple of months now. Further up the road, crews have been methodically tearing up the pavement and only recently have they started laying down fresh blacktop. However, talking to one of the paving crew a few days ago, the surveyors apparently messed up on their measurements with respect to a small bridge and delays to the road’s re-opening remain up in the air. For now, we turn around at the road closed signage at the other end of MacKenzie and head back towards town.

 

[dodgeman]

That’s akin to living on the edge around here. Lol. I was wondering when someone was going to bring that up. We normally ride a complete loop part of which takes us along this section of the MacKenzie Road which is open only to local traffic. It’s been closed for a couple of months now. Further up the road, crews have been methodically tearing up the pavement and only recently have they started laying down fresh blacktop. However, talking to one of the paving crew a few days ago, the surveyors apparently messed up on their measurements with respect to a small bridge and delays to the road’s re-opening remain up in the air. For now, we turn around at the road closed signage at the other end of MacKenzie and head back towards town.

I’m a retired land surveyor. I can almost guarantee it wasn’t the surveyors fault, it was the engineers fault.

 

[Prairie Dog]

I’m a retired land surveyor. I can almost guarantee it wasn’t the surveyors fault, it was the engineers fault.

No doubt since I was talking to a guy who was driving one of the trucks for the paving contractor and was likely near the bottom of the chain of command. Not a soul was out working on the road this morning. It is a long weekend with Monday falling on a civic (not statutory) holiday so I'm clueless as to why they choose not to work today.

It does, however, appear that a significant portion of the road has been paved which is a good thing.

 

[JGcycle]

A few pics of a train that I saw on yesterday morning's ride:

 

[Art Deco]

We haven’t paddled the briny going on five years now so our outings have been limited strictly to local waters but it’s no where near as exhilarating as a seaside destination. We’re hopeful that we too can, once again, dip out paddles in ocean waters when our hopes and dream of some day moving out to the west coast come to fruition. Until then, I’ll jealously envisage your Cali lifestyle through your images and text.

Is your regular kayak ocean sized? I thought you were a freshwater guy ...

 

[Prairie Dog]

Is your regular kayak ocean sized? I thought you were a freshwater guy ...

The boats that we paddle on local lakes are actually true sea vessels but only the Feathercraft Khatsalano was ocean christened and that was years ago during a 45-day road trip to the east coast (NF/NB/NS). Some assembly required.

We were accustomed to planning several multi day trips out to the west coast each year to get our fix but haven’t done so in quite some time due to matters concerning family and business. A friend was kind enough to store two additional glass boats at his home in the Gulf Islands, BC so that we wouldn’t needlessly have to haul them out from Alberta.

This is the boat that I would be paddling if I were out there today. There should be a N1 rule for kayaks.

 

[Art Deco]

The boats that we paddle on local lakes are actually true sea vessels but only the Feathercraft Khatsalano was ocean christened and that was years ago during a 45-day road trip to the east coast (NF/NB/NS). Some assembly required.

View attachment 159737
We were accustomed to planning several multi day trips out to the west coast each year to get our fix but haven’t done so in quite some time due to matters concerning family and business. A friend was kind enough to store two additional glass boats at his home in the Gulf Islands, BC so that we wouldn’t needlessly have to haul them out from Alberta.

This is the boat that I would be paddling if I were out there today. There should be a N1 rule for kayaks.

View attachment 159738

That's beautiful.

 

[Latitude]

The boats that we paddle on local lakes are actually true sea vessels but only the Feathercraft Khatsalano was ocean christened and that was years ago during a 45-day road trip to the east coast (NF/NB/NS). Some assembly required.

View attachment 159737
We were accustomed to planning several multi day trips out to the west coast each year to get our fix but haven’t done so in quite some time due to matters concerning family and business. A friend was kind enough to store two additional glass boats at his home in the Gulf Islands, BC so that we wouldn’t needlessly have to haul them out from Alberta.

This is the boat that I would be paddling if I were out there today. There should be a N1 rule for kayaks.

View attachment 159738

My friend, I am interested in your opinion on a kayak to carry with us on our tugboat. A 10’ single occupant craft would fit on the roof easily, or the inflatable option of course. In any case, only a single is needed. It would be used mostly by myself (5’2” height, 165 lb weight) in flat water not too far from the main boat. Your thoughts would be appreciated.

 

[Art Deco]

My friend, I am interested in your opinion on a kayak to carry with us on our tugboat. A 10’ single occupant craft would fit on the roof easily, or the inflatable option of course. In any case, only a single is needed. It would be used mostly by myself (5’2” height, 165 lb weight) in flat water not too far from the main boat. Your thoughts would be appreciated.

Handsome little boat, and glad to see you are still around @Latitude .

 

[fooferdoggie]

we rode to the keen garage to get my wife a thicker soled sandals for riding hers were a bit too thin. we get there and right across the street is the Chrome industries event. Chrome sells high end bike grear like the best massager bags out there. everything was 80% off. I( had just ordered a pair of their shorts on clearance from them for 77.00 well they had the same shorts for 25.00 so Bought 3 pair for that price and I will cancel the order. wife got a pair of shoes for 20.00 and we got a couple of small bags. I had just bought and got a front bag for the bike and they were only 20.00 I have a small messenger bag from them so I did not need another one. I debated on buying a few and selling on eBay. so we spent 100.00 for everything. went back to the keep store ( they had given is 20% off keen coupons) wife funds a nice colorful pair from full price but the guys shows us ones that were nice and colorful but 1/2 off. so the sandals full price would've been around 135.00 with got it all for 165.00

 

[Prairie Dog]

My friend, I am interested in your opinion on a kayak to carry with us on our tugboat. A 10’ single occupant craft would fit on the roof easily, or the inflatable option of course. In any case, only a single is needed. It would be used mostly by myself (5’2” height, 165 lb weight) in flat water not too far from the main boat. Your thoughts would be appreciated.

I’m in envy mode right now so permit me some time while a drool over your tug! She’s a fine lookin’ mother-of-a-ship. There are a plethora of compact boats ranging from Sit-ins, to SOT (Sit on top) to ones with fully enclosed cockpits with watertight bulk heads. Heavier poly boats would require you to cartop them to your tug but if you plan to leave it on your boat all season long that wouldn’t be an issue. Plastic boats are durable, relatively cheap and available at most big box or sporting goods retail outlets. They can be dragged onto rocky beaches, paddled in shallow rivers and generally take much more abuse than their thermoformed or glass counterparts. Just be aware that they will degrade when exposed to UV over time if left out uncovered.

Inflatables offer versatility as they don’t require much storage space are lighter in weight, can be thrown in the trunk of your vehicle and many are framed such as one from Advanced Elements at the bow/stern so you do feel some added stiffness but nowhere near a hard-shell boat.

Naturally, much of your decision leading up to a final choice will depend on your budget. A friend of mine purchased a poly boat from Costco and it fits his needs fine but he’s more inclined to use his to float down the river without having to worry about rapid classes or rocky shorelines.

This link might provide more insight into the materials/pros and cons and perhaps a better understanding of what type of craft might best suit your needs. I would avoid folders as they can be quite intimidating and time consuming to assemble. You might also want to rule out composite boats as they tend to be more expensive and require more care when launching/landing on rocky beaches.

 

[Tars Tarkas]

+1 on Advanced Elements inflatables. I've had a couple and they fill my bill. You shouldn't leave them fully-inflated in the sun, so they aren't ready to go on a short-term whim.

TT

 

[Latitude]

I’m in envy mode right now so permit me some time while a drool over your tug! She’s a fine lookin’ mother-of-a-ship. There are a plethora of compact boats ranging from Sit-ins, to SOT (Sit on top) to ones with fully enclosed cockpits with watertight bulk heads. Heavier poly boats would require you to cartop them to your tug but if you plan to leave it on your boat all season long that wouldn’t be an issue. Plastic boats are durable, relatively cheap and available at most big box or sporting goods retail outlets. They can be dragged onto rocky beaches, paddled in shallow rivers and generally take much more abuse than their thermoformed or glass counterparts. Just be aware that they will degrade when exposed to UV over time if left out uncovered.

Inflatables offer versatility as they don’t require much storage space are lighter in weight, can be thrown in the trunk of your vehicle and many are framed such as one from Advanced Elements at the bow/stern so you do feel some added stiffness but nowhere near a hard-shell boat.

Naturally, much of your decision leading up to a final choice will depend on your budget. A friend of mine purchased a poly boat from Costco and it fits his needs fine but he’s more inclined to use his to float down the river without having to worry about rapid classes or rocky shorelines.

This link might provide more insight into the materials/pros and cons and perhaps a better understanding of what type of craft might best suit your needs. I would avoid folders as they can be quite intimidating and time consuming to assemble. You might also want to rule out composite boats as they tend to be more expensive and require more care when launching/landing on rocky beaches.

That’s great, thanks Prairie Dog. Exactly what I need. I will probably leave the craft tied to the roof of the tug for much of the season, so poly sounds like a good option. I appreciate your advice.
We just returned from a 3 week holiday aboard “Unsalted” in Lake Huron’s North Channel. Although we had an inflatable tender with an outboard, a kayak will be good for further exploring inlets next summer.

 

[Prairie Dog]

That’s great, thanks Prairie Dog. Exactly what I need. I will probably leave the craft tied to the roof of the tug for much of the season, so poly sounds like a good option. I appreciate your advice.
We just returned from a 3 week holiday aboard “Unsalted” in Lake Huron’s North Channel. Although we had an inflatable tender with an outboard, a kayak will be good for further exploring inlets next summer.

Lovely! It sounds like you’re all set then you lucky dog. Be sure to throw a weatherproof tarp over it during the times you won’t be using it. Being that woodwork/carving runs in your blood, have you ever considered building your own kayak? Something to consider. More kayak porn during a trip several years ago to Valdez Isle, Gulf Islands, BC. That’s my first ever boat build in the image, a stitch and glue, 17’ Pygmy Arctic Tern. It was a tank and would hold enough gear, food and water for a week-long trip. My wife loved its volume as it ended up shouldering most of the burden on our trips. I picked up the kit in Port Townsend, WA for $750, drove it home and built in my garage. It became my primary boat for the next five years before I decided that I needed something less beamy and more performance oriented. I sanded the original epoxy off and then finished it with several coats of water-based urethane for a glossy finish. I eventually sold it for $2K.