Give'r hell Craig!

As most have stated it's a matter of preference.  I think trip duration, overnighter vs. 5 nighter; the goals of your trip/race/adventure, mellow roll through the hills for a couple days or attempting a record on an established BP race route; 20 miles a day or a 120; proximity to 'the real world' ie places where you can get real food and resupply vs. out 'in the middle of nowhere'  are all important factors to consider. 

If you're mixing roads, fsr's and sections of trail, passing through or near towns where you can eat and resupply then a stove may not be necessary. If you're heading out on a single track or wilderness adventure miles away from roads or anything else you may want a stove. Sometimes I bring one, sometimes I don't, the above factors help me decide. Don't let an few ounces (or more even) deter you from eating a nice warm meal at the end of the day when you're cold and hungry and the thought of eating one more peanut butter power bar makes your stomach turn.

Plus using your pocketrocket as a flame thrower to start a fire is always fun, try that with a penny or cat can.

http://www.backroadmapbooks.com/shop/backroad-mapbooks-67/british-columbia-68/?zenid=0qjhcauk5i6kl7cdvcqfr7oso4

These are the ultimate dirt road adventure planning resource. Quite easy to get your hands on as well.

PM sent, Thanks Scott.

Hi,

In a couple weeks I'll have a couple weeks off (I know lucky me). I'm packing up the car and heading out on a road trip with the main stop being a 4 or 5 day bikepack in Kananaskis Country, Alberta.

I picked up a copy of Doug Eastcott's 'Backcountry Biking in the Canadian Rockies' and have a couple of the gemtrek maps coming in to a local map shop at the end of this week. Surely people on here have done some multi-day adventures out in K-country. Any suggestions on routes, or must ride trails, places to avoid...etc. I'm in the prelims of the route planning phase but would like to start having something ironed out in the next week or so.

The goal is to ride single track way in the back. I don't mind getting off to push up and over passes, creek fords all the fun stuff is all good too. I'd prefer not to turn it into a gravel grinder, forestry road tour as I get out and road tour in the year as well, although I'm not at all averse to riding forestry roads to link things together.

Thank you all in advance for your help!

Adam.

I've used Dri Ducks on a number of bike tours as my primary rain gear with great success over the past number of years. They are exceptionally light and pack up small. The biggest down side as previously mentioned is the fit, the jacket isn't bad, but the pants are cut super wide even in the smallest size and flap away in the wind if that bothers you. Although they are far more fragile than an eVent or goretex jacket to the touch, durability has not been an issue in my experience. I am cautious of how I pack them...they don't get placed beside my tool sock for example.

The jacket is much more breathable than my North Face Diad which I've toured with as well although it is not nearly as breathable as the wind shirts I use and never leave home without; either a new balance pull over or patagonia houdini.

I would be more concerned about the durability and fit of the pants. I know others have cut them into shpants for touring with success. I've used velcro straps to keep them out of the drivetrain although cutting them into knickers is something I may try in the future, maybe when the chain grabs and tears a hole in them. So far the butt hasn't worn through yet, I'd be careful where you sit around camp in them.

If you're used to riding with a wind shirt/breaker or something of the sort I wouldn't use the driducks to replace these, I do find myself packing these over my NF jacket as rain gear though.

Hi Em yes I was. I'll be wearing the same one tomorrow morning.

Hi guys, I live in Van. Will be at Nimby this weekend on a red cove hardtail with red rims, and will be doing the XC at NSBF.

Sportsman, I think I rode with you and your wife briefly at the capitol forest 100 last summer, what a great event, great blog by the way. I've got a tonne of questions about 29ers on our local trails if you've got some time to chat. I'm looking to set one up this summer.

BazB, I hiked from Tlell to Tow Hill in Naikoon provincial park on Haida Gwaii a number of years ago, it was an amazing walk. I've recently been dreaming of redoing this route on a fat bike, that would be a peaceful ride. Haida Gwaii is an incredible place, please go if you get the chance.