My mom is moving back to Canada permanently after 25 years away. I am trying to help her figure out the best way to move her life savings (160 k) to her Canadian bank while losing the least money to fees and crappy exchange rate. It will be a one time move of the funds. Any advice? Someone we know will be travelling from that country to Canada so could carry cash, if that is in any way useful or sensible. Thank you!
thank you! this is super helpful for others planning a transalp ride. In case you happen to see this - what bike did you ride? and what do you think the 'ideal' bike for this ride is?
I test rode a Supertramp and it was sooo nice! Just felt really fun to ride. I'm also interested in the doggler but in the end I chose a Bombtrack Beyond ADV+ for the increased versatility. I think could happily own all three though!!
Looks awesome!! Thanks for making this. I am happy to see more routes in N. Minnesota! I'm in Thunder Bay so this is in my extended backyard - will let you know if I can do a test ride this summer.
I biked a 5-day section (Nelson to Fernie) on my Brodie Romax (drop bar) bike with 47 mm tires. It was totally manageable but I was definitely slow on some of the rough descents and my arms and hands were really sore by the end. So, I think bigger tires would be easier on the body overall but it's doable on skinnier tires! Then on the rolling parts, you'll be flying :)
She is coming from New Zealand
Looking for advice on best/cheapest way to move money from overseas to Canadian bank account Banking
Got a NR4 for Canada Pension Plan benefits for 2023 tax year received while living in NZ. How do I convert this form to enter into my taxes (using Wealthsimple Tax)?
The only box on the NR4 form with a money number in it is box 15. How do I know which is the correct box on the CPP form to enter this number in? In case this is relevant - during the same tax year, I moved back to Canada and am now a resident here. Thanks in advance for your help!
I'm not sure if they for sure have a route that goes Cypress Hills direction, but if you Google BikeBike (it's a bike shop in Calgary, the owner does a lot of bikepacking) and check out the 'routes and tours' section, you can see their ride with GPS collections and there may be something of interest in there!
Definitely getting her sitz bones width measured will help in choosing a saddle that it the right fit (stock saddles are too narrow for a lot of folks and especially estrogen people). I recently got a saddle with the 'mimic' technology - a few companies make saddles using it and it's really good for reducing pressure and stress on the undercarriage for people with labia, so she may want to check that out too!
oooh, I am interested in your route - would you share with me?
I'm looking to ride Munich to Naples but having trouble finding a route that is mostly unpaved. What route did you take over the Alps?
This is extremely nice of you to offer. I'm not sure she would feel comfortable with someone she doesn't know who is not at a business, but I will ask!
Hi! This is such a nice offer. I saw your message but somehow now can't find it - could you send again?
Thank you! and your positive reviews make me look forward to it even more! We are thinking of departing right from our front door in Thunder Bay Ontario :)
Looking to share a shuttle to ride the Mah Daah Hey trail ~May 20-24, 2024Route Discussion
Hi folks, my partner and I are thinking of riding the Mah Daay Hey trail in the third week of May (from the 20th to 24th-ish) over 4-5 days. We plan to ride south to north.
We have looked into the shuttle with Dakota Cyclery - it's $250 US for each leg of the shuttle (i.e. $500 total) - that is a fixed cost, so it gets cheaper the more people there are in the shuttle (i.e. would be $125 per person with 4)! Alternatively, if there are folks out there willing to ride North to South, we could swap keys midway and then drive each others' cars back to a midway rendezvous point at the end. Advantages: cheaper, less shuttling hours, less faffing.
Could probably manage starting May 19 or May 21 instead if that helped.
Reliable place for senior to go to get data transferred from old computer to new computerRecommendations
Hi all, my mom lives in Calgary and she just got a new computer. Her old crashed (not too sure what happened but it's really dead). She would like someone to recover whatever is possible off the old machine (files, photos) and move it onto the new computer. She needs help and would like it to be in-person (rather than doing it herself with online support) as she is not very tech-savvy. I don't know where to send her and can't help her myself as I don't live in Calgary. I checked Best Buy's geek squad but I think that is just remote support, plus I would rather support a local business. I think it would be great if she could find somewhere that is close and trustworthy where she can take her computer if it gives her any future issues. Any recommendations?
She is located in the Northwest.
This ride is in my summer calendar so I am curious what you mean by the guide leaves a little to be desired... In terms of the actual roads/trails/paths used, or other details or..?
Looking for your recommendations for most awesome, most non-pavement but still fun (i.e. no 5 km hike a bike please) route between Munich and Italy. 7-14 days, pretty chill, lots of time for poking around, eating, swimming itinerary :)Route Discussion
Planning for dream bikepacking trip in the Alps in July....I've narrowed it down to starting in Munich and looking to go maybe to Lake Garda, or Verona or Venice. Comfortable on singletrack but riding a rigid steel bike with 3.0" tires so not looking for a mountain bike itinerary. Also would like to leave bikes in storage in one of the above mentioned spots and take the train to Naples for a day or two for pizza eating - Italians, please tell me if that seem reasonable? I know Naples will be hot in July but I am very invested in my pizza dreams. Also this dream itinerary could end with some beach time, so would like suggestions on that too!
Hi! Your trip descriptions sounds pretty great I would love some details on your route!
Route suggestions for a fun scenic gravel bikepack route in southern Germany/Northern Italy/Switzerland area with lots of stops in towns to eat and enjoy!Route Discussion
Hi all, starting to research a 1-2 week bikepacking trip in the Alps/northern Italy and it's a bit overwhelming with all the possibilities! My partner and I plan to ride our steel rigid bikes so we are keen on routes that are off road but not 100% single-track where a hard tail or full suspension would be better. We are experienced riders and comfortable being underbiked but would prefer to have a mix of gravel roads, limited tarmac, some single-track. Basically looking for your suggestions of a fun, scenic route with stops for delicious food/swimming/places of historical or cultural interest along the way! We are coming from Canada so are not needing just nature, very interested in going through towns etc. Also looking to eat great pizza if possible....
A few months later here... OP: do you enjoy riding the Bombtrack unloaded in addition to loaded? Does it still feel spritely enough to be fun?
Thanks everyone! Got some good ideas here - we ended up going to Bean Fiend and it was perfect for a cosy lunch.
I do not think you will be disappointed! It felt like the kind of bike I would choose for everything, from a rip to the grocery store to a bikepack adventure. I would consider building it with 27.5 wheels so you can bigger tire clearance, depending on how you want to use it!
Deciding between Hudski Doggler or Wilde Supertramp
bikepacking