[medicdave]

Amen to that – if there was a "sun dance" I would have been doing it every day this past week!

On the plus side, Dryer does tend to (pardon the pun) dry out quite quickly after a rain – if today stays sunny, the trails should be rideable by late afternoon. There’ll be muddy spots, but for the most part the place cleans up pretty quick, probably owing to the fact that it’s built all around a big plateau.

Any recommendations for must-ride spots out in Buffalo? So far I’ve only rode around the Rocheseter area, but I’d like to do a few road trips this fall.

Cheers,
medicdave

[medicdave]

Surprised no one has mentioned Dryer Road Park. It’s about 10 minutes from Thruway Exit 45. Lots of awesome singletrack, something for everyone, with all trails rated by difficulty.

see: http://www.victormtbc.com/

medicdave

[medicdave]

Thanks guys!

I took a look at my rack and there are no cutouts for cables, but it’s not a super-hard material, so I may try taking the dremel to it to cut out some reliefs.

I probably won’t go for the roof rack yet, because I’m leasing a Saab and my next car will probably be another make (long story). Saw an interesting hitch rack today, made by Saris, that holds 3 bikes using fender-like cradles. I believe it’s the Thelma model. Not that I have a hitch to work with, but…

I may also look at getting some blocks of stiff silicone and carving them out to make a pair of "adapters" of sorts, to fit over the cables before dropping the bike onto the rack.

Thanks again for the replies!

Cheers,
Dave

[medicdave]

Wow, quite the interesting topic…

I ride in an area that’s suburban/agricultural for the most part, and one thing that scares me is making a wrong turn and sumbling on a meth lab. They’re common in secluded areas that aren’t far from cities, which fits just about all the places I ride. Our local law enforcement has reported busting them within 15 miles of my favorite single-track. Meth labs are scary not only because their occupants are typically armed, and typically quite averse to having their lab discovered, but also because the chemicals used and gases produced can be serious health/explosion hazards.

I take self-defense seriously, and have taken courses in handgun defense and defensive folding knife skills. Whatever your chosen tools in self-defense – whether it be your hands/feet, a knife of some fashion, or a firearm – it’s absolutely your responsibility to get trained and keep your skills sharp.

When on my bike, I carry two Spyderco Delica 4 folding knives, one on each side of my waistband.

As for pepper sprays or bear sprays? Aside from the fact that they’re of widely-varied effectiveness against people and wildlife, they carry a much higher chance of affecting their bearer. A person with adequate training can effectively prevent the use of a knife or handgun against themselves in most situations, but catching a dose of your own pepper spray is almost assured. I read one article about a hunter in Montana who unloaded a mini-fire-extinguisher sized can of bear spray at an attacking grizzly, which only served to piss it off more – it proceeded to maul him, and only stopped when the group’s guide shot it several times with a large-caliber handgun.

Of course, the cases we read about are as varied as the people’s circumstances on this thread. In the end, it’s all about doing what you feel comfortable and confident with, and staying alert to what’s going on around you.

Ride safe,
medicdave

PS – and for those that mentioned carrying a long gun? I give you the FMG9. The quote at the end of the video is priceless…

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