“Whether you are logging big trail miles or beating gas pump prices, the X-Alp Mid is your go to shoe. Built for the long haul, the R&R plate allows you to drop the hammer on the pedals but has enough flexibility and traction for when you have to get off and push up the big hills. Quick drying, highly breathable mesh/synthetic upper. Endo-skeletal fit system securely wraps feet.”

So sayeth the sellers. I sez;

“I’m just now shopping for a new shoe having completely ridden through my last pair of this PI Alp model. Due to my tendency to downhill with my left foot down and forward, holding most of my weight when standing off the saddle, after 18 months and 6-7k miles of on and off pavement touring, commuting, some single track and a good deal of hiking (mech. breakdown, too steep/loose, just walking around off the bike, etc) and nearly constant wear, the left shoe is pulling apart at the toe and along the outer mid-sole. The uppers are subject to wear and fraying from friction with the crank, and about 2\” of the left upper has pulled apart at the reinforcement around the laces.

That said, this is a well built, comfortable multi-function shoe with an excellent $/value ratio. I would highly recommend it to the dollar concious backwoods banzai artist who does not want to carry an extra pair of shoes whether on tour or just commuting.”

Apparently, great minds think alike. As always though with any heavily used and depended upon gear, durability versus cost versus available funds versus necessity is what the equation boils down to. Shoes? Ya gotta have ‘em. I paid $70 on clearance for mine and got about 6500 quality miles out of them. That’s about 0.9 cents per riding mile only, not including the daily wear for walking. The scientific method would now suggest that my next pair cost significantly more, to provide abasis for evaluating cost/performance on the cents per mile scale. Unfortunately for the scienbtific method, these match the orange and black color scheme of my ‘07 Trek Portland.

May ‘08, Left Willits at 5:30 PM arrived in Cache Creek Campground at 1 AM with 80 lbs. in my (then) new Arkel panniers. I always love a long ride through new countryside. Believe it or not, riding at night, if you are well illuminated, is often safer than the traffic clogged daytime.
This ride sealed my place as the Emerald Empire Adventures partner and cycle touring guide, bona fides as it were. See the Route Map

Passed through Lucerne at dusk as was nearly driven off the road by the swarms of mayflies.

Got up in the morning to a breakfast of cold abalone (oh yummmm!!) and hot coffee, then went for my first whitewater rafting ride on Cache Creek.

Ukiah to the coast via Orr Springs Rd 50 Photos	This is a world-class ride through the Mendocino County back country. After climbing up from the Ukiah valley, you can take a break at the top of the Coast Range at the Mann Ranch, a 100 year old, 1600 acre piece of paradise. In future we will be working with the family to plan events centered on their location and to make the spectacular private campsites ther available to our guests. In the meantime it is a fantastic spot to catch your breath after the long climb.
From there we will take the steep narrow poorly maintained road through eight hairpin switchbacks down to Orr Hot Springs, where we spend the night in one of their quaint old cabins and take in the waters.  Next day we ride down to the coast to Mendocino town where we have dinner and spend the night in a beautiful B&B and enjoy the sights sounds and flavors of this gem of the coast.
Next day we ride the final 12 miles to the Skunk Train Depot in Ft. Bragg where we take the train back up the hills to Willits.

Route map and elevation profile

It sometimes is the case that the impact of tourism on public infrastructure and its erosive effects on local culture outweigh any economic benefits. So, as members of the community as well as tour operators we are dedicated to addressing these in our philosophy, activities and business model. To that end we publish here.

In this thread we hope that you will tell us what you think, for better or for worse, about the effects of tourism on the community.
Mahalo Nui.