NSMB Cumberland Meet Up - 9-11 June 2023

Posted by: [email protected]

Posted by: Vikb

Cook Creek is one option near Cumberland. There is lots of riding right at Nanaimo, but I'm not familiar with those trails so I'd just send you to Trailforks.

Cook Creek is fun to check out but it's very small.

I haven't ridden in the Nanaimo area yet either but was recommended this by Mammal in another thread:

Meat Draw then connection to Roller Coaster is a good tech-to-flow buffet on South Benson. Bit of a hike to get into Meat Draw, but very worth it.

Thanks Niels.

FYI - Campfire ban coming Thursday. I'll bring a propane firepit with me.

Fingers crossed the smoke stays away for the weekend. We can see the fire near Qualicum from our place, so far the wind has blown the smoke in the other direction. AQHI still at 2 but forecast is a 4 for Thursday night.

Posted by: Vikb

FYI - Campfire ban coming Thursday. I'll bring a propane firepit with me.

Perfect thanks Vik. You bringing it on your bike?

Posted by: Vikb

FYI - Campfire ban coming Thursday. I'll bring a propane firepit with me.

We've been thinking of picking up a smaller / portable propane pit for the backyard since we can't have a real pit (rental) and also for camping.

Which do you have / do you like it?

I've got this one, was on sale at Cambodian for around $100. I like it, we've had it for many years, it works. The one thing is that the little deflector shield died, and haven't found a replacement. It causes the flame to be not as centered as it was, but not a huge deal.

https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/for-living-portable-propane-gas-outdoor-fire-bowl-fire-pit-54-000-btu-0851296p.html?loc=plp&rq=fire+pit

One piece of advice I'd give is to load those puppies with lots of extra lava rocks (landscaping kind). With not many, or none, they don't retain the heat super well, and you just waste propane. When it's loaded with lava rocks, it retains heat super well, and the flame is bigger (just takes a little longer to reach a good running state).

I also found a super handy carrying bag that fits this pit, and that's been VERY valuable. You can just bag it up and carry it around in the vehicle without spreading all the dusty, dirty crap all around everything.

Posted by: thaaad

We've been thinking of picking up a smaller / portable propane pit for the backyard since we can't have a real pit (rental) and also for camping.

Which do you have / do you like it?

Sorry I don't know. It's my GF's and the box is gone. I've never used it before. She bought it at CDN Tire or Home Depot so whatever generic ones they sell. She seems happy with it.

Gotcha,  thanks :)

How you guys feeling about those fires?

Posted by: thaaad

Gotcha,  thanks :)

How you guys feeling about those fires?

There are no fires affecting the Comox Valley at the moment and I'm not expecting any issues for the weekend. That said smoke can change direction and move our way.

We see the entire Beaufort range from our place and since yesterday I've been seeing smoke drifting this way from the Cameron Lake fire but at this point it's just a light haze over the Cumberland area. AQHI has gone from 2 to to 4 but is forecasted to go down to 3 tomorrow. I monitor it because I have a respiratory condition, usually around 5 or 6 it starts to affect me.

Talked to Dodge City, Beaufort cycles and the campground and nobody else really seems concerned about the fires so at this point we're still coming :)

Posted by: thaaad

Talked to Dodge City, Beaufort cycles and the campground and nobody else really seems concerned about the fires so at this point we're still coming :)

Sounds good. I haven't talked to anyone in the area that's concerned about it either.

If you don't mind an early start I was thinking 9am Sat/Sun rolling out from the bathroom building at the campground. That'll let us get most of the climbing done before it gets hot.

Posted by: mammal

I've got this one, was on sale at Cambodian for around $100. I like it, we've had it for many years, it works. The one thing is that the little deflector shield died, and haven't found a replacement. It causes the flame to be not as centered as it was, but not a huge deal.

https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/for-living-portable-propane-gas-outdoor-fire-bowl-fire-pit-54-000-btu-0851296p.html?loc=plp&rq=fire+pit

One piece of advice I'd give is to load those puppies with lots of extra lava rocks (landscaping kind). With not many, or none, they don't retain the heat super well, and you just waste propane. When it's loaded with lava rocks, it retains heat super well, and the flame is bigger (just takes a little longer to reach a good running state).

I also found a super handy carrying bag that fits this pit, and that's been VERY valuable. You can just bag it up and carry it around in the vehicle without spreading all the dusty, dirty crap all around everything.

Great advice, thanks!