|   Maybe kayaking? | worf
Apr 3, 2002 10:48 AM | | Hey peeps! I've been mt biking for about 12 years now and I've had a lot of fun and spent a lot of money on the way. I've ridden in southeast PA, Maine, CO, and ID. I've done a little racing. To be honest, considering my age (32) and that I have 2 kids (3.5 and 10mos), I've come to accept that I'm not going to get much better nor will I ever be competetive again. This is fine. I'd gotten to the point where I just wanted to ride with friends and hang out anyway. Anyway, last summer the kayaking bug bit me. I took a whitewater lesson in western MD and really enjoyed it. I'm thinking about making this my new passion. I was gonna get something used and than new a couple years down the road but I really wanna get a brandy new boat. In order to do this I'd probably have to sell my mtb, which is a custom built Rocky Mt. Element TO. This is a great bike I've had fun with but there's no way I can get a new kayak without selling it. Essentially, I'd be giving up on mt biking. I'm not crazy about the idea but I am jazzed to do this new thing. I'm not very mechanically inclined and never did all the maintenance you're supposed to do. Also, I'm a very intense guy and I understand that the more fluid(literally) nature of kayaking could be good for my psyche. Does any of you kayak or do you have feedback for me? Thanks. |
| kayaking?....go for it | Markv
Apr 3, 2002 12:49 PM | | Live in Idaho.....we have the best whitewater in the lower 48. I've mountain biked since 84 and started kayaking in 89. Great sport..it's the inland equivalent of surfing (surfed HB 76-81). Due to multiple shoulder seperations...not from kayaking, but from mountain biking I switched to whitewater rafting in 92. I'll run the Middle Fork Salmon and the Bruneau this year in my Maravia Williwaw 1.
Kayaking is a blast....bigger adrenaline rush than mountain biking. The sport takes some serious skills and you won't learn them if you don't put alot of time in a boat, but it sounds like you're the type that will....
Good luck! |
| see you on the river brother. | Bob
Apr 3, 2002 1:26 PM | | Hi Worf,
Soon to be an aquaholic eh?
I've been kayaking for six years now and it's the best thing I've ever gotten involved in. Luckily you live in a great area for paddling. In fact I'll be down your way next week to run some stuff in MD and WV. The northeast in particular, has one of the tightest paddling communities I've encountered. You'll soon be meeting life long friends out on the river. It's not like riding buddies. Paddlers count on each other in life or death situations.
You're on the right path...getting instruction. I'd suggest (if you can swing it) to visit MKC up in Canada or closer to you, Nantahala Outdoor Center for more instruction. They'll teach you to roll (extremely important) safety, and good technique. If you can't swing the professional instruction, hook up with a local paddling club (they're out there) that can show you the ropes and run organized trips with leaders. THese clubs often have "club gear" for use so you may not have to sell your bike!!
Whatever you do, please don't become a statistic. Every spring paddlers have to read about the guy or girl who buys a boat, and sometimes the appropriate safety gear, heads out on a river (usually in flood) and gets stuffed under a rock or in a hole. We had two local firemen drown last year, no helmets and little experience, and flood conditions. They were in a tandem recreational boat, no skirts, on a Class 3 river.
I can't stress enough that you find a paddling "mentor" to show you what this great sport is all about.
Rule number one about kayaks: No one pays retail for a boat. Meaning, never, ever, buy a brand new boat. Lately designs are changing so rapidly that this years hot new boat is next years Commodore 64. How big are you? Maybe I can help you pick one out.
You're better off buying used (not too used) and pay less than half of retail. A good beginners boat that will get you through the next few years should run you about $400 tops. It's when you add the extras that it adds up. Paddle, skirt, helmet, PFD, throw rope (get instruction), knife, whistle, dry gear for cold paddle days, etc...
An excellent paddling resource is www.npmb.com its a Northeast specific message board. Pick up tips, research gear, see what rivers are running or who is having "pool sessions" for learning to roll.
If you have any more questions, feel free to email me.
bob |
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