[Paddlewise] Boat construction

I have read with interest and some degree of dismay (as an owner of a CD
Caribou) the thread on boat construction.  I feel compelled to respond
to Doug's analogy to mountain bikes on two issues.  First- in mountain
bikes heavier does not usually mean stronger as it may in sea kayaks.
The heaviest bikes you will find are the "chain store" variety such as
the infamous Huffy.  They are very heavy but are also typically the
weakest.  The lightest titanium bikes are among the strongest.  With
regard to the difficulty of trails in Moab versus BC- Moab is widely
regarded as the mecca for extreme mountain biking.  I haven't ridden in
BC but have done many rocky, root strewn trails in New England, the
Rockies and California and nothing compares with the terrain in Moab.
If you have been there, Doug, you must have missed the double black
diamond trails.  Moab has miles of what are, in essence, petrified sand
dunes-  exposed sandstone ranging from flat to vertical and everthing in
between.  I feel safe in wagering that more bikes are broken there than
anywhere else in the country.  I have seen many bikes carried out with
broken frames, stems, forks, taco'd wheels, etc.  My first visit to Moab
after I moved here 10 years ago inspired me to ditch my mid range
quality Schwinn and buy a top end custom bike with quality components
and braided steel brake cables.  I didn't relish the idea of equipment
failure while descending a 35 degree slope toward a 1,000 foot cliff
with a literally "do or die" hairpin turn at the edge.  Moab is
anlaogous to the surf zone in Oregon, or the sea caves of California.
However, it is usually not as life threatening as extreme sea kayaking.
You can usually get off your bike and walk or crawl across the off
camber drops, cliff edges and gnarliest spots.  I flipped over backward
one time on a steep pitch with a ledge near the top and slid back down
on my back about 50 feet with my bike on top of me.   It is always
interesting to see the ashen faced tourists walking their bikes from the
"practice loop" before they even got to the tough stuff.
    Just wanted to set the record straight.  Any paddlewisers who
mountain bike and who are going to Lake Powell or just passing through
Utah should seriously consider a stop in Moab.  It is truly unique.

Walt Chudleigh
Park City, Utah

(Enjoying the cold weather, snowshoeing, XC and downhill skiing greatly-
but still looking forward to getting back on the water)

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