Talk:2009-05-02 48 -122

Pre-Expedition Discussion

Ask Google Maps how far Silver Lake Park, 9006 Silver Lake Road Maple Falls, Washington 98266 is from the geohash. I'll call them at 3 p.m. when they open for reservations. -Robyn 16:52, 1 May 2009 (UTC)

No. Way. That is too awesome. And a fun weekend trip. Driving, I assume? I don't think I'd be able to cycle it. -- Rhonda 17:39, 1 May 2009 (UTC)

Just saw that you intend to cycle it. Despite what you said earlier about my cycling abilities, I have one weak point for long trips and it let itself be known after my mere 50km round trip to Coquitlam the other day. I need more time to build up to a 100km each way trip... -- Rhonda 18:02, 1 May 2009 (UTC)

You can take transit all the way to Aldergrove. Recalculate with that parameter. It's not Orcas hills, just Reese Hill Road, and it's not soul-sapping. -Robyn 18:05, 1 May 2009 (UTC)

Ok, that halves the distance. Although my weak point on the bike isn't so much the hill climbing, it's more simply time on seat. Which is to say, my tailbone isn't acclimatized to it since I haven't ridden much for several months. I may not enjoy the ride back, downhill or not.

And despite that foreknowledge, I'm still seriously considering it. -- Rhonda 18:13, 1 May 2009 (UTC)

Let me (this applies to anyone who might be joining us) know by three so I know whether to ask for a vehicle or bike-only campsite. You bring your tent this time, then we can decide whose is best. I'll bring a stove and a pot. -Robyn 19:15, 1 May 2009 (UTC)

Oh what the hell. As long as you can put up with my slow pace and whining about a sore tailbone on the way back :-) Now to look at bus schedules and weather forecasts. Where do you think would be a good place to meet? -- Rhonda 19:31, 1 May 2009 (UTC)

Isn't that what the algorithm is for, deciding where to meet? :-) Have to get there by four for the achievement, so how about noon at the corner of 264th Street and 16th Avenue? Adjust that as necessary to work with your bus. -Robyn 19:43, 1 May 2009 (UTC)

Yeah, but I'm a wimp in some ways... for a trip this long I'd rather do it with somebody. 264 & 16 at noon works for me. -- Rhonda 19:52, 1 May 2009 (UTC)

This sounds like a lot of fun, but I am without a bike or vehicle. If anyone else is planning on going with vehicle and has a spare seat, let me know. Xore 21:41, 1 May 2009 (UTC)

Xore if I can find a bicycle to lend you, will that do, or is this trip beyond your butt-endurance? Also do you have our own camping gear? -Robyn 21:55, 1 May 2009 (UTC)

I haven't been on a bike in a year or two, 20+ k is perhaps a bit ambitious for a first test. I have access to camping gear Xore 22:02, 1 May 2009 (UTC)

Campsite Update

They don't take reservations for only one night, and they don't take same-day reservations, but the campground is currently only 1/3 booked for the Saturday and the nice lady on the phone thought it would be no problem for someone arriving before four p.m. tomorrow to get a site. For anyone joining us, look for the dinosaur in Loop 3. That's where we'll try to get a site, because it's the nearest tenting area to the geohash. We might even sneak down to the group camping area if it's nice, or if there is any doubt about being within a kilometre. -Robyn 22:05, 1 May 2009 (UTC)

simpler plan

I'm considering going, but if I go I'll use this plan http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=HWY-1+%2FPort+Mann+Bridge&daddr=48.95855%C2%B0,+-122.074883%C2%B0&hl=en&geocode=CQxw6AqaZeivFW0C7wIdJQyu-CHEEsK3cGtL6g%3B&mra=pe&mrcr=0&sll=49.149377,-122.55661&sspn=0.374569,0.884399&ie=UTF8&ll=49.076565,-122.449493&spn=0.375119,0.884399&z=10 Wade 03:02, 2 May 2009 (UTC)

update: If I go (and I'm not sure I will), I'll be driving there. I won't be camping. I'll just show up around 16:00, collect my borderhash ribbon, and head home. I may bring chocolate to make up for my dickishly driving to the meetep when everyone else is taking 2 days to get there and back. Is there an "anti-green" ribbon I can get?

If you end up going and have a spare seat, would you mind if I tag along? I could get to braid station, which isn't too far off your route (just below the brunette ave exit on hwy 1). Xore 17:15, 2 May 2009 (UTC)

Okay, the more the merrier. You're responsible for your own food and accommodation. -Robyn 03:08, 2 May 2009 (UTC)

Food

Okay, Rhonda: I tested the stove, works fine, and have one pot (maybe I'll bring two) and plenty of naptha. How are we doing for food?

Carry no fresh fruit across the border: we can shop in Sumas, WA after the border crossing. I am packing rice, dried soup, cocoa mix, herbal tea, sardines, Quaker Oats, nori (hey we can make sardine sushi), almonds, and a powdered orange flavoured drink mix thing that I got in an airline meal a couple of months ago. In Sumas we should buy fruit, eggs, and whatever else you want to add.

I have one cup, plate and eating utensils.

Please confirm you are bringing your tent (that's not food, I know). -Robyn 03:08, 2 May 2009 (UTC)

Yes I'll bring my tent. Working on food; I'm used to car camping because that's all my parents ever did. Any suggestions? I'll see what I can dig up and we can buy the rest. -- Rhonda 03:29, 2 May 2009 (UTC)

Okay, I'm all packed, just have to put the bags and T-Rex on the bike. The food mentioned above is, with the exception of the orange stuff, two servings of each. It might be enough for two, assuming we add fruit and some eggs, maybe some cheese, so just add what you like to eat, that doesn't require immediate refrigeration and is dried or otherwise lightweight. If I had them I might bring jujubes, raisins, beef jerky, smoked salmon ... think high in calories low in weight. -Robyn 04:17, 2 May 2009 (UTC)

flour is not very high in calories but I just like to make bannock while camping! I have a vac-pac of smoked salmon kicking around, as well as various tins, but tins are heavy. Mixed nuts, granola bars. I have an egg holder if we do buy eggs, to keep them from smashing on the way. -- Rhonda 04:43, 2 May 2009 (UTC)

Excellent. Everything is loaded on the bike now. I'm ready to go in the morning. -Robyn 04:49, 2 May 2009 (UTC)

Post-Expedition Comments

Fantastic! --Thomcat 06:31, 4 May 2009 (UTC)

Congrats on a great trip and report! You've set another high standard -- NCBears 16:00, 4 May 2009 (UTC)

"Oh you've ridden that way before have you?" Robyn said "no" very quietly, and did not ask further questions, not wanting to know just how bad the road could be that 30 km would be a startling distance to cover in twice the time it took us to go 45 km on Orcas Island. A false alarm? It was easier riding than Orcas Island was it not? Juventas 04:47, 5 May 2009 (UTC)

It was easier. I rode over twice as far and was not nearly as tired. There were hardly any hills. Maybe Reese Hill Road was enough for him. -Robyn 04:58, 5 May 2009 (UTC)

Could have been along the lines of the guy in Blaine who thought riding from Canada was a long way. When we could see the border. -- Rhonda 05:22, 5 May 2009 (UTC)