I’ve been contemplating getting a hybrid for years. This is the one recommended at MEC.
Ghost Panamao X 3 Bicycle (Unisex) – CAD$725 (US$582)
1 year free adjustments and minor maintenance. Disk brakes.
Leave a comment if you have an opinion on this bike. Or have an alternative.
Dave Adlard suggested the 2015 Motobecane Elite Adventure for US$400.
Tabacon Hot Springs in Costa Rica costs about $60 / person. Crazy expensive as are most of the spas near the Arenal volcano.
But across the highway you can soak for free in Tabaconcito Hot Springs, a warm river flowing away from the volcano. Very popular with the local people.
The Free Natural Hot Springs are one of the highest rated attractions on Trip Advisor, too.
Many take a taxi from town. Or try to find the local bus. I rented a bike ($15/4 hours). Hot and harsh on the way there from La Fortuna. Breezy and easy on the return, mostly downhill.
related – Tabacon FREE Hot Springs Backpackers Delight (VIDEO)
Love ’em. 🙂
Over the last century, cities have been designed to accommodate the automobile. So, how do we redesign them to benefit people?
Outdoor escalators (climate allowing) are a low cost part of a solution to reduce the use of motor vehicles.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube. It highlights the system in Medellín, Colombia.
The Central–Mid-Levels escalator and walkway system in Hong Kong is the longest outdoor covered escalator system in the world. The entire system covers over 800 metres (2,600 ft) in distance and elevates over 135 metres (443 ft) from bottom to top. …
related – Medellín made urban escalators famous, but have they had any impact?
I stayed in Canada this past winter. What a mistake. How can people live in this frozen wasteland? 🙂
January I’m tentatively (again) planning to travel to Patagonia for hiking and cycling. Here’s some inspiration.
Click PLAY or watch it on Vimeo.
That stunning footage was taken over a 5 week trip through Chile | Bolivia | Ecuador | Brazil | Argentina | Peru.
(via Adventure Blog)
The ELF is a solar and pedal hybrid vehicle powered by you and the sun.
“The most efficient vehicle on the planet”, it is a revolution in transportation and gets the equivalent of 1800 MPG.
Hand built in the USA, the ELF is legally a bicycle, so it can travel on bike paths, park on sidewalks and requires no gas, license, registration or insurance. It can travel up to 20 mph on electric power only and up to 30 mph when combined with pedaling. It can hold more than a dozen bags of groceries and can handle an amazing 350 lb. payload. …
Update – Doug Davis got a second Elf, top of the line. With 3 batteries to allow for longer trips.
Here’s Doug’s first Elf.
Click PLAY to hear the story on YouTube.
In the heart of Whistler lays Lost Lake Park; a recreational wonderland just steps away from the village. Summer activities include hiking, walking, swimming, canoeing and cycling.
The park boasts an incredibly fun network of mountain bike trails referred to as Zappa Trails. This extensive network of manicured pea gravel pathways, along with fun rocky and rooty singletrack trails take the rider from one end of the park to the other and provide ample opportunities for families, beginner and intermediate riders to explore Lost Lake on their mountain bikes.
The Zappa Trails are a favourite among locals looking to get out for a quick cruise after work or when short on time. The trails are well marked and maintained year round by the Resort Municipality of Whistler, making them relatively easy to navigate. If you do get lost, you’ll find maps at all the major junctions to get you back on track.
The Zappa Trails are well suited to families looking at exploring Lost Lake on two wheels. …
(via Best Hike)
Mike and friends rode Chile to Bolivia, across famed Salar de Uyuni, the world’s largest salt flat.
See his photo journal of the adventure.
Here’s Jeni McNeal and team still smiling day 2 of a 7 day non-stop race.
I had another wonderful visit hosted by Doug and Diana Davis.
I was there finishing final videotaping of Gymnastics Games. They should be released SOON. 🙂
Port Townsend is for outdoor adventure. I spent a lot of time on Doug’s excellent road bike.
Doug just invested in a company producing Elf bicycles in the USA.
I had one issue. An ingrown nail blew up. For some days I considered fleeing to the socialized Health Care of Canada.
It quickly healed after we released the pus. A-OK now.
Farewell PT. I should be back after New Years. 🙂
7-days of continuous physical and mental challenge, almost no sleep, bad food, questionable water. Who invented this sport? 🙂
To stagger the start of Expedition Idaho, Race Director Dave Adlard, set a unique prologue.
Teams had to climb the toughest waterslide, starting over if anyone slipped.
If successful, they then took a victory lap … running the Lazy River. Backwards. 🙂
This is even tougher than it looks.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
Gymnastics sport scientist Jeni McNeal is running this race.
Good luck.
Rick McCharles 