President's Message
We have had a successful fall term, largely due to the interest expressed by our members in the planned trips and activities. There have been several cycling and hiking day trips to places like Webster Falls and the Elora Gorge. A hiking and a canoe trip were organized for the Thanksgiving Weekend. And a small group went on a caving trip in early November. In addition, there was considerable interest in the Monday night activities, and we are planning to continue these next term. The last meeting this term will be our end of term party on November 28th at the Grad House at 7:00pm, where there will be a pot- luck dinner. Contact Sean, our Social Rep, for more information.
On the administrative side, the club has set aside some money for purchasing new canoes if we can find the necessary storage space for them. We have purchased some new sleeping bags this term and have also bought some more ski boots and poles in preparation for the snow we will (hopefully) get by January. I would like to thank all the other executives for the time and effort they put into running the club.
Finally, I would like to thank everyone for participating on the trips and activities we planned this term. I hope to see everyone again in the winter and spring.
Stuart McIlwain
How to have fun while camping.
The first thing that any intrepid adventurer should do is make sure to carry some really spicy meats and sweet smelling food. Make sure to have it in open bags which are kept in your tent as much as possible. With any luck; this will introduce you to the wild life. First, a squirrel or chipmunk will greet you and ask for food. If you are not going to throw some to him; then he will most likely try to get it for himself. Later on at night you can meet some of the bigger friends of the forest. Raccoons (in pairs or families) also have very good noses and they will not give up trying to get into your tent to taste what smells so good. They can be recognized by the sound of their sniffing and the scratching of the claws against the tent or their fumbling with the zipper. Lastly, you may have an opportunity of a life time. A real live, fuzzy, bear may just come to see what he is missing out on. These guys don't knock much and can really disturb your sleep.
So, what can you do? You can hang your food. But remember that raccoons are very good at undoing knots or simply chewing through rope. So you can't have the rope attached to any place where they can easily get. And if your rope is larger than some fishing line, you will find that chipmunks can climb it. They will climb the rope to your pack, get in and chew into any container that smells good. They love nuts but have not developed a taste for coconuts just yet.
A few of the other animals that I forgot to mention are wolves and foxes. There are smaller animals like mink and ferrets; but they tend to avoid noise and strange surroundings.
On your next camping trick, bring a piece of rope, a waterproof pack cover and hang your food. Or else be prepared to get many close up pictures of the real party animals in this world.
Eric Praetzel
Canoeing Weekend on Poker Lake by Swen Hoch
There should have been two cars leaving on Friday July 22 for a canoeing trip to Poker Lake, but the second car could not come since the driver had to work in a Lab that weekend. We had some difficulties to get the yoke off the canoe before we could put it on top of the car, but finally we got it on Stu's Festiva, which was twice its original length. On this trip, we had a guest from the UoG, Agnes, who was also on the biking trip to Stratford. She was waiting for us in Guelph. Since we also had to make sure that our canoe wouldn't fly away while we were driving along the highway, we arrived one hour late to pick her up. She was pleased to see us.
Stu got the idea of this trip out of one of our books we keep at the equipment room. Our route consisted of a few connected lakes north of Gravenhurst on Hwy 118. Some deer crossed the road on our way out there. The directions of the Ministry of Natural Resources led us along Clear Lake Road, which was paved, then gravel, and than a dirt road. We could only try to guess where the promised intersection with Hindon Road was, which was where we were supposed to turn. When we were sure that we had gone too far and missed it, we headed back and turned onto a dirt track which might have been Hindon Road. By this time it had started to rain. We had the wrong type of car to go along this road. When we reached the next intersection, the road became even worse and after an investigation by foot, we turned back. We tried another intersection on Clear Lake Road, but ended up at a point where all remaining roads were marked "PRIVATE ROAD NO TRESPASSING". Since one of the portages on the canoe route crossed the highway, we decided to start there instead. There was a large parking lot there, as if this was the intended access point. We untied our canoe and after a short dinner, we started off.
Stu promised that there would be no rain once we were on the lake and it turned out to be true. It was the first canoe trip for Agnes and she was always saying: "It's terrific!" We saw some loons on the lake. Soon we reached a campsite, put up the tent and lit a fire. We had marshmallows to roast and cookies to make marshmallow sandwiches. At night we had some mosquitos in our tent. In addition to that it was quite warm. By the time I fell asleep, it was almost morning.
The next morning greeted us with clouds. We took down the tent and started paddling. Big East Lake was not so big after all, so we spent some time to investigate a dam. It was where a narrow creek left the lake and a lot of drifting logs blocked the way. While I was investigating the dam, the others were very nice and decided not to leave me on the logs. Then we headed back to the portage which crossed the highway. At the parking lot, we met a couple with their dog on their way to the lake. Mischa was carrying her dogfood herself in a pack much like a bike pack. On the other side of the highway we started our loop through many small lakes which were connected by small portages. After the first lake, we left the noise of the highway behind. It was very quiet and despite many campsites being taken, we did not meet many other canoes. After the next portage it started to rain, but our campers' spirit could not be broken. The rain wasn't heavy and stopped as soon as we were thoroughly soaked. At the end of one of the next portages we were met by a narrow channel leading nowhere in particular, with the water of the lake shimmering behind a field of grass and floating bushes. We could not paddle around the bushes and we could not paddle through. Finally we dragged the canoe across. I felt like a moose. Reaching the water's edge, I got wet since I made one step too many. A few meters later we met two other canoes heading towards the portage. They soon found out why Stu was saying: "Have fun!".
Upon reaching the next large lake, Cinder Lake, we started to look for a campsite. The first one we met was so good that we stayed there. It was large enough to fit at least 6 tents. The original access point we were looking for the previous night was on Cinder Lake, so we were anxious to see it. We expected to find the place deserted or occupied by trucks and landrovers. But the place looked used and there were ordinary cars parked there. Our investigation road leading to the access point was broken up by deerflies. They were so used to attacking fur that they crawled through my hair to reach the skin of my head. It was fairly easy to pick them out, but there were too many. On the way back to the campsite, we stopped to get some firewood. Later on in the afternoon we found blueberries near the campsite. After Stu took a nap, we played cards. I could not believe I was getting bored on a canoe trip. Usually we are portaging and canoeing all day with our spare time taken by collecting firewood an roasting marshmallows. But this weekend we had much more time. We had some spaghetti and even chocolate pudding for dinner. This time we were more careful about mosquitos in the tent and we had an excellent sleep.
The last day greeted us with the best weather: nice sunshine and a blue sky with few white clouds. Since the distance we had to travel that day was very short, we were not in any hurry to start out for the cars. A water turtle was checking us out. Maybe we were blocking it's most favourite spot. The shell of the turtle was approximately 35 cm in diameter and the neck 15 cm long. Finally we left. On our way back we saw a heron. We stopped in the middle of the last lake and absorbed all the impressions before we went to the car.
We dropped Agnes off at her place in Guelph and reached Waterloo just in time to put the canoe and our equipment back before the PAC closed.
Now I'm thinking of going to this place again with my parents. It's a good place to experience a part of the Canadian way of life.
Thanksgiving Canoe Trip
by Stuart McIlwain
During the Thanksgiving Weekend, twenty- six Outers Club members went on a three day canoe trip in Blackstone Harbour Provincial Park near Parry Sound. We went on a route that passed through Three- Legged Lake, Spider Lake, Clear Lake, a portion of Georgian Bay up to Spider Bay, and then back to Spider Lake. We saw some spectacular fall colours on the leaves of trees throughout the park, and apart from a little bit of dampness and wind on Sunday, the weather co- operated with us nicely. Over the entire trip, we only met three other people. My thanks to Gudrun, Soren, and Mike for their help preparing for the trip and leading groups of canoeists through the park.
There are several other canoe routes in that park. If anyone is interested in more information, look in the Club's pamphlet 'South Georgian Bay Canoe Routes' which can be found in the equipment room.
Equipment Room Notes
One of the most popular activities of the Outers Club is our canoe trips during the spring, summer and fall seasons - I am sure that most of our members have participated in one or more of these trips! And so, I'm sure you are all aware of the current shortage of rental canoes in the Outers Club inventory. Well, the executive has recently decided to rectify this situation, in allocating $3000 for the purchase of new canoes. We are currently discussing what types and models of canoes to buy, so if you have any input, be sure to drop by the planning meeting to let us know your thoughts. Unfortunately, while the purchase is imminent, we have to wait until the university grants us additional space for
canoe storage - the current (temporary) storage room under the stairs of the Red South entrance will not house an additional three canoes. So, we will all have to wait patiently for those shiny new canoes (sigh!).
Due to the success of the ski buy- back program that we implemented last winter, we will be offering it again. For those who were not around then, the ski buy- back program was designed to meet the needs of our international student members, who come to Waterloo for a short period
of time, don't want to bring their skis from home, and want to get out there and experience that Great Canadian Winter to the max! The Outers Club buys a brand new pair of cross- country skis, boots, and poles exclusively for your use during the entire winter (well, actually you buy them, and then the Outers Club buys them back from you at the end of the season.) Last year, the ski packages we bought cost $180 each brand new, and the club bought them back for $120. So you get the use of a brand new ski package for the entire winter for only $60. The prices this year will be determined by what kind of volume deal we can negotiate, but will be similar to those of last year. If you are interested in this program, contact Stuart or Fabrice by early January. The buy- back opportunity is, of course, available to all Outers Club members (not just international students.)
As a last note, the socket wrench has gone missing from the equipment room! If it got thrown in your car by accident, please bring it back to the equipment room. Remember, the more things that go missing this way, the less money we have for new equipment.
Karsten Verbeurgt
Commuting By Bicycle
by Peter Mills
This being the Outer's Club News, it should be the perfect forum to discuss the benefits of bicycle commuting. With more and more people using cars, the cities are becoming increasingly congested and smoggy. With as much as half of land space already occupied by roads in most major cities, there isn't any viable way of decreasing congestion. Just try driving down King or University on a Monday morning and you'll see what I mean.
Not only that, but driving a car puts a considerable drain on the environment. You might think that just one extra person operating a motor vehicle won't make much of a difference, but try extrapolating that to several million other people. Here in North America, we use the majority of the world's energy resources and therefore cause the most pollution, yet have only a small fraction of the population. But with many developing and third world nations pushing towards a western lifestyle, we may see a many fold increase in the level of pollution which the world cannot sustain. "Sustainable development" as it's called, is a myth, and an oxymoron.
It is the heartfelt conviction by many people living in North America today that the motor car is necessary for modern living. Many of the objections these people bring up in regards to bicycle commuting are quite trivial and can be easily discounted. It does not take an iron-man or woman , for instance, to ride a few kilometres to work everyday, or even across the city. Modern living has made many people soft, but after a few weeks of riding, one will become quite accustomed, especially if you start off slowly. In a related vein, showers are completely unnecessary. It's only in this continent where it has become normal to shower everyday, frequently more than once. In any case, a bar of soap and a wash cloth taken into a public washroom can banish the majority of sweat.
Two objections which are a bit more important are storing the bike and winter riding. Ideally, a bicycle should be brought inside one's place of work or study to protect it from theft and the elements. Frequently, this is not possible, and the bike must be locked up outside. To reduce the risk of theft, it is practical to commute on a relatively cheap and shabby-looking bicycle, of which more will be said later. Also, both front and rear wheels should be locked with a good quality U-lock like a Kryptonite, to a solid, immoveable object like a fence railing.
Winter riding is possible. There are many The Ultimate Commuting Bicycle
people who commute regularly in winter and an HPV The best bicycle for commuting
have done so for years. However, to the would be reasonably efficient, yet
uninitiated, it poses myriad problems, the cheap-looking so not to attract theft,
most pressing of which are the cold, the would be long-lasting and able to
salt on the roads, and the slippery withstand abuse, yet not cost an arm
conditions. Clothing to protect against the and a leg. The bicycle which I built
cold is a subject all in its own, and for for commuting and winter riding I
the most part isn't as big a concern as you believe fulfils all these requirements
might assume since once going, you will warm and I shall detail in this section.
up considerably. Generally, it helps to It will probably cost me over $200 in
dress a little lighter than you think the end, but with judicious parts
necessary and it is also good to layer, just choice, a similar bike could be made
like in cross-country skiing. Two areas for under $100. I started with an old
which should not be neglected are the face Raleigh three-speed; the kind that
and feet, however. Because of windchill, can be picked up anywhere for a few
your head and hand should be well-protected dollars. About the only things which
to prevent frostbite. As for you feet, I kept where the frame and the
thick socks, and some insulated cycling three-speed hub gear. Almost
booties made for that purpose can help, but everything else was replaced with
there is probably no way of keeping them aluminum parts which were either new
from getting chilled eventually. About the or taken from old ten-speeds. (with
only surefire solution is to get off and the exception of the bottom-bracket
walke or jog occasionally. One of the best and headset cups which were still in
ways to wreck a bike or car is to perfect shape) The wheels were built
continually splash salt water on it. Fact with new parts, except for the rear
is, salting the roads is bad for the hub of course; stainless steel spokes
environment, and expensive in terms of and 27" Wolber rims should last for
property damage and really shouldn't be many rears and withstand the ravages
done. But that isn't what this article is of salt. The brakes are old
about, and at the moment the powers that be centerpulls salvaged from trashed
have decided that it is necessary so there ten-speeds, but with Scott-Mathauser
isn't much we can do about it. There are pads to give wet-weather
two routes to go when choosing a winter stopping-power. This is considerably
bicycle: cheap and expensive. The idea better than the original set-up of
behind a cheap bike is that after a couple cheap stamped steel side-pulls with
of years of abuse, it can simply be thrown long arms to reach the 26" steel
out and replaced at minimal cost. With an wheels. The tires are now 1 3/8" IRC
expensive bike, it is possible to try to knobbies which should give adequate
minimize corrosion by choosing high quality grip in wintery conditions. Since ice
components made of materials like aluminum is slippery because of the layer of
or titanium which will resist corrosion, at water that melts due to the heat of
least for a time. I advocate a combination contact pressure, wide, low-pressure
of those two philosophies. tires with plenty of "float" should
give the best handling on ice and
snow. This bicycle is very similar to
those produced by a couple of
custom-builders in Ottawa. Both of
them use internal hub gears, but with
five and seven speeds instead of just
three. The advantage of internal hub
gears is that they are enclosed, and
will not cease to work because of ice,
snow and dirt intruding into the
mechanism. In addition, the chain can
be completely enclosed to protect it
as well from the elements. They are
also built on fairly ordinary
carbon-steel frames. The frames from
the old Raleighs are particlularly
attractive to me because they are
cheap, yet extremely robust, and also
reasonably light. If, after a few
years of riding, I find that the frame
is no longer structurally sound, I can
then go and purchase a "new" 3-speed
for a few dollars and transfer all the
components from the old one. Of
course, all these measures still might
not be enough for you. The ultimate
bike for winter riding, indeed for any
riding, is not a bike at all, but in
fact a trike. It's called an HPV, or
human powered vehicle. This type of
vehicle is exemplified by the
Windcheetah SL built by Mike Burrows
of England. With two wheels for
steering, and one for driving, it has
plenty of stability, yet is also
extremely nimble. A fairing can be
fitted which will not only protect the
rider from the elements and keep him
warm on chilly evenings, but also
increase efficiency at high speeds.
If those advantages still aren't
enough for you, consider its greater
visibility in traffic due to its extra
width, and also the near impossibility
of doing a cartwheel over the
handlebars by virtue of the lower
center of gravity. And finally, there
is comfort; sitting in an HPV more
closely resembles sitting in the
padded, anatatomic seat of your
automobile than crouching on the slim,
unforgiving saddle of your bicycle.
A vehicle with only two wheels is This bicycle is very similar to those
inherently less stable than one with produced by a couple of custom-builders in
three or four. Yet the current crop Ottawa. Both of them use internal hub
of mountain bikers have proven that it gears, but with five and seven speeds
is possible to ride a bicycle over a instead of just three. The advantage of
variety of loose and slippery internal hub gears is that they are
surfaces. No doubt riding in traffic enclosed, and will not cease to work because
in winter is more dangerous, not only of ice, snow and dirt intruding into the
because of the slippery conditions, mechanism. In addition, the chain can be
but also because the roads are completely enclosed to protect it as well
narrower, and motorists are not from the elements. They are also built on
expecting to see cyclists on the road. fairly ordinary carbon-steel frames. The
Again, the risks might seem daunting, frames from the old Raleighs are
and indeed they are real, but in order particularly attractive to me because they
to show that you believe in something, are cheap, yet extremely robust, and also
and to try to change this world for reasonably light. If, after a few years of
the better, I believe it is worth riding, I find that the frame is no longer
taking some risks. Of course, you can structurally sound, I can then go and
try to minimize the risks by riding a purchase a "new" 3-speed for a few dollars
properly equipped bicycle, but and transfer all the components from the old
probably the best aid is simply a lot one. Of course, all these measures still
of practice. The most important thing might not be enough for you. The ultimate
to keep you pedalling upright, and not bike for winter riding, indeed for any
on your head or backside, is a decent riding, is not a bike at all, but in fact a
set of tires. By this I mean the trike. It's called an HPV, or human powered
widest set obtainable, with plenty of vehicle. This type of vehicle is
large, widely spaced lugs, pumped to exemplified by the Windcheetah SL built by
the lowest pressure practical. For Mike Burrows of England. With two wheels
the ultimate in traction, the only way for steering, and one for driving, it has
to go is tires with steel studs. plenty of stability, yet is also extremely
These will allow you to steer on ice, nimble. A fairing can be fitted which will
and can be handmade using some small not only protect the rider from the elements
screws. and keep him warm on chilly evenings, but
also increase efficiency at high speeds. If
those advantages still aren't enough for
you, consider its greater visibility in
traffic due to its extra width, and also the
near impossibility of doing a cartwheel over
the handlebars by virtue of the lower centre
of gravity. And finally, there is comfort;
sitting in an HPV more closely resembles
sitting in the padded, anatomic seat of your
automobile than crouching on the slim,
unforgiving saddle of your bicycle.
Event Calendar
Equipment Room Hours
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 4:30pm to 5:30pm (during the school term), in PAC 2010 (Blue South). This is where you get your equipment; come by a few weeks early to make reservations for busy weekends. Equipment room telephone: UW ext.5825 (no telephone reservations!)
Editor's Note
I am looking for articles to put in a brief newsletter for distribution in the beginning of next term during the organizational meeting. Specifically, I am looking for articles on winter camping, for example an experience you had or tips on how to go camping in winter. If that is not withing your realm of experience, I will accept any articles on winter sports in general.
Peter Mills