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Hey all, Jeff from HB checking in, figure I've lurked long enough. I've ridden with a couple of you over the past few years, and looking forward to riding more. Riding a GSAW these days, and just finished a great trip up to Seattle and back. Have done a decent amount of off-road, but not much this year after having knee surgery. Cheers, -Jeff https://instagram.com/jafix

I'm getting ready to do the IDBDR later this week. One guy I've ridden with before and one I haven't. They guy I haven't ridden with before has ridden with other guys I have ridden with and he seems like a great guy so I'm not sweating it. But this got me thinking how important rider selection can be, especially for a big trip like this. Think about it, you invest lots of money in new gear, farkles, etc..., not to mention time off work and away from family/loved ones. The last thing you need is someone messing up your ride. I have ridden with a LOT of people in the last four years. I'd say just about every one of them is a very good person. But let's face it, what we do is REALLY demanding! Think about the fatigue, hunger, dehydration, stress, injury, etc... that you get put under during an adventure ride. That's an environment that reveals peoples' character very quickly. Let's face it, there are probably a few people you can think of whom you'd never ride with again, am I wrong? But wait a second... what if you are someone people don't want to ride with again?!!! "What if I'm THAT GUY!" I think it's important to look in the mirror and ask yourself "how can I be a better group rider?" Are you ready to go at the time agreed upon for "kickstands up?" Is your bike packed with all the right tools and gear? Is your bike in good working order? Do you have GPS and know how to use it or do you just hope to follow someone who does? Do you know how to change a tire or perform routine trailside maintenance? Do you ride too fast? (guilty) Do you ride too slow? Do you ride recklessly? Do you bring riders on trails way above their ability? Do you show up for rides you know are way above your ability? Do you stop to help a fellow rider lift his/her bike? Do you thank someone who helped you lift your bike? Do you space out? Do you get hangry? (guilty) Do you not post up at turns? Do you pass unsafely? Do you roost others? Do you ride too close behind others? What other important riding etiquette do you think is important to mention? Tell us here or drop in our Beyond Starbucks section where you can find a safe place newer riders can learn about these things and more experienced riders share their wisdom and experience.

Because you will go over the edge... Now that I have your attention,I have a recent trip report for the interior of BC. I had the opportunity to go to Penticton BC to quote a small reno project for a friend(3hrs drive by super-slab which is in the interior lake region of BC) Well putting two and two and two together I thought I would just make it a couple day trip and do a giant loop around the interior then back to the Fraser Valley where I live. It's probably about a 400+ mile round trip but I forgot to reset my odometer before I started(oops)... I left this past Thursday morning around 0800 trying to avoid any potential rain showers that were looming over the valley mountains. Well I missed the window and got absolutely dumped on in several places along Highway 3 Crowsnest Pass,this is a mountain route that passes through EC Manning Provincial Park,the views can be quite stunning when the clouds are out of the way...here's a couple shots I managed to get.. Well it finally stopped raining and warmed up when I reached Princeton,but I did find out my boots are no longer waterproof ugh( wet feet),so I got fuel then drained my boots...lol then the road opened up and it was time to eat up some miles in the 80f weather thru Hedley Quite often through this part of Hwy 3 there are Dahl Sheep having "lunch or dinner" along this section of the road(watch out,they are dumber than deer). At Keremeos I turned toward Penticton on Hwy 3a a beautiful secondary road through a narrow valley full of orchards and vineyards,in the heat you can smell the fruit in the air. From here it's a short hop to Penticiton,but with holiday traffic..(read Europeans in rented motorhomes) it was still a great ride though at a much reduced speed. Now I'm deep into wine country...hmmm tasting or riding,such decisions I got through Penticton relatively unscathed other than the 90f heat,now onto Kelowna to stay with a buddy and fellow rider and share some malted beverages. The next morning it was off to Vernon to see a cousin of mine that I hadn't seen for 25yrs,through the miracle of Facebook we actually began chatting for quite awhile(crazy social media). I got a suggestion from my buddy in Kelowna to ride the Westside rd from Vernon to Westbank on my return trip,well holy cow ,what a sweet road,twisties,incredible views,more Dahl sheep,the odd deer,perfect ride,and it's all secondary road that circumnavigates the bustling Kelowna area...yeah ! especially on a Friday. Full service stop in Vernon There was a spot of road construction on the road but it was on a stop for 10 minutes for blasting then we were on our way. I stopped for a quick bite to eat in Westbank then put old old Honda back on the road home. Much to my disappointment I had to fight some ugly headwinds and crosswinds all the way home, about 250 miles..oh well,beats watching paint dry... Last shot of going home..EC Manning Park at one of the truck brake check points near the Manning Park Lodge. thanks for coming along

Beautiful countryside! Looks like phenomenal weather too.

That ride/ability thing is more for the larger rides where you have an A, B and C rides and the C guy chooses the A route and then the A riders are pissed because they're waiting all day and can't finish the route.

Planning on getting in on this ride. What time are you all planning to meet up there on Friday? I'll probably take off from work in Irvine around 1 or 2.